What Causes Joint Pain?

Injury

An injury to the joint can cause joint pain and potential inflammation. Multiple types of injuries can be caused by overuse, wear and tear, or direct trauma. The four categories of injury are dislocations, fractures, sprains, and strains. When a joint is dislocated, the bone has become separated from its normal position in a joint. Dislocations cause extreme pain and can also make the joint appear disfigured. Fractures refer to a crack, chip, or break in a bone. A fracture requires emergency medical treatment to stabilize the injury and promote healing. Depending on the severity and location of the fracture, patients may need surgery. Sprains occur when the ligaments that hold the bones together become injured. The most common type of sprain is an ankle sprain. A strain causes similar pain to a strain, but it occurs when the tendons or muscles have become overstretched or torn. If the pain from a sprain or strain is disabling, patients should see a doctor to make sure they don't have a fracture.

Keep reading to learn more about the potential causes of joint pain now.