Joint Pain
Joint pain can affect one joint or several joints at the same time. It may feel like aching, stiffness, swelling, tenderness, warmth, reduced movement, or sharp pain when walking, bending, lifting, or using the affected area. Common areas include the knees, hips, shoulders, wrists, hands, ankles, feet, neck, and back.
About Joint Pain
Joint Pain Overview
Joint pain can have many causes, including arthritis, gout, injury, repetitive strain, inflammation, viral illness, sports injuries, tendon problems, or musculoskeletal conditions. Sometimes the pain is short-term and improves with rest and simple care, but persistent, unexplained, swollen, hot, or worsening joint pain should be assessed. NHS guidance advises seeking help if joint pain is severe, does not improve, or is associated with heat, swelling, fever, or feeling unwell.
Mobi Doctor can help with a non-emergency online assessment for joint pain, stiffness, mild swelling, flare-ups, pain after repetitive movement, or questions about medication and next steps. A doctor can review your symptoms, medical history, current medicines, injury history, activity level, and how long the pain has been present before advising on the safest next step.
Seek urgent local medical care if you have very bad joint pain after an injury or fall, cannot walk or put weight on a joint, the joint looks out of place, you have numbness or tingling after an injury, the joint is hot and swollen, or you have joint pain with fever or are feeling seriously unwell.
Choose a joint pain condition below to learn more about symptoms, possible causes, online care options, and when urgent care may be needed.
Common types of Joint Pain we treat
Pick the symptom or sub-condition that best matches what you're experiencing.
Can this be treated online?
Many common causes of joint pain can often be assessed online, including muscle strain, overuse injuries, back pain, neck pain, mild swelling, stiffness, sports-related pain, and flare-ups of existing joint conditions. Treatment advice may include pain relief guidance, anti-inflammatory treatment, activity recommendations, and further assessment based on your symptoms.
Prescriptions & safety
Our licensed doctors may prescribe medication, issue repeat prescriptions or provide referrals where clinically appropriate and medically safe following an online consultation. Prescriptions are never guaranteed or issued automatically, and treatment decisions are always based on the patient’s symptoms, medical history and clinical assessment.
Some medicines, controlled substances and higher-risk treatments cannot be prescribed through online consultations. In certain cases, patients may instead be advised to seek in-person assessment, testing or emergency medical care where appropriate.
When to seek urgent in-person care
If you are experiencing any of the following with your joint pain, call 112 or go to your nearest A&E immediately. Online care is not appropriate for emergencies.
- Sudden severe swelling or inability to move the joint
- Chest pain or breathing difficulty
- High fever with severe joint pain or redness
- Major injury, deformity, or suspected fracture
- Severe weakness, numbness, or loss of sensation
- Rapidly worsening swelling, redness, or pain
- Loss of consciousness or confusion
- Severe pain after an accident or fall
Dr. Chrysoula I. Liakou MD, PhD
Ready To Speak With A Doctor?
Struggling With Joint Or Muscle Pain? Speak with a doctor online about stiffness, swelling, sports injuries, back pain, neck pain, overuse injuries, and mobility concerns. Online consultations may help with symptom management and treatment recommendations.
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