Arthritis Pain

The pain associated with arthritis comes from different sources and these include inflammation of the synovial membrane (the tissue that lines the joints), the tendons or the ligaments; muscle strain; as well as fatigue. The combination of these factors contributes to the intensity of the pain felt.

The arthritis pain also varies greatly from one person to another, although the reason is not yet fully understood. Swelling within the joints; the amount of heat or redness that is present; or the damage that has occurred within the joint are all factors that contribute to the pain. In addition, activities also affect pain differently; some patients may note pain in their joints after getting out of bed in the morning, while others develop pain after prolonged use of the joint.

As each individual has different pain threshold and tolerance which is often affected by both physical and emotional factors that include depression, anxiety, and even hypersensitivity at the affected sites due to the inflammation and tissue injury. An important contribution to pain management can be given by social support networks.

Since pain is a private and unique experience that cannot be seen. A common way for a doctor to measure pain is to ask the patient directly, about the difficulties felt. For example, the doctor may ask a patient to describe the level of pain felt on a scale of 1 to 10 and words like aching, burning, stinging, or throbbing are used as these words will give the doctor a clearer picture of the pain that are experienced.

Doctors rely on the description of pain as guide for treatment, for this reason a pain diary to record pain sensations can be helpful. This can be done a week or two before the visit to the doctor. On a daily basis, the situations that cause or alter the intensity of pain should be described, the sensations and severity of the pain, and the reactions to the pain as well. The diary will then give the doctor a lot of insight about the pain that is felt by the patient and may play a critical role in the management of the patient’s disease.

Understanding Arthritis Pain Recommended Resources:

Health Link - Medical College of Wisconsin

UW Medicine - Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine