Dr. Niamh Kelly
In personOnlineIMC verified
Joint pain
Joint pain can affect one joint or many joints, with stiffness, swelling or reduced movement. Causes range from strain to infection or inflammation, so red, hot, swollen or very painful joints need prompt care.
When to get emergency care
Get emergency help immediately if you have any of these:
- A joint that is very painful, red, hot or swollen, especially with fever.
- Joint pain after injury with deformity, inability to move, or inability to bear weight.
- Joint pain with chest pain, breathlessness, fainting or a widespread rash.
- Severe joint pain in a child, older adult or someone with weak immunity.
- New joint swelling with unexplained weight loss, night sweats or persistent fever.
Get emergency help or call 112
Common causes
- Sprain, strain or overuse.
- Arthritis or age-related wear.
- Viral illness, including infections picked up while travelling abroad.
- Autoimmune inflammation.
- Joint infection or gout-like inflammation that needs assessment.
What to expect at your consultation
- A clinician may ask which joints are affected, whether there is swelling, fever, rash or injury.
- They may examine movement, warmth, tenderness and walking ability.
- Blood tests, X-ray or joint fluid tests may be needed for swollen or hot joints.
Looking after yourself
- Rest the painful joint from heavy strain and keep gentle movement if comfortable.
- Avoid putting weight on a joint that is severely painful after injury.
- Seek medical advice if there is swelling, redness, fever or ongoing stiffness.
Frequently asked questions
- Is a swollen hot joint serious?
- Yes. A red, hot, swollen and very painful joint, especially with fever, needs urgent assessment.
- Can an infection cause joint pain?
- Yes. Some viral illnesses cause aching joints and muscles for a while, but other causes may need checking.
- Can joint pain be arthritis?
- Yes, arthritis is one possibility, especially with stiffness or swelling, but a clinician should assess the pattern.
- Which doctor should I see for joint pain?
- A general physician can start assessment. An orthopedic surgeon helps with injury, bone or joint structure problems.
Not sure how urgent this is?
Answer a few questions and we will tell you how soon to be seen.
Check my symptomsWhich doctor should I see?
- General Physician Good first contact for fever, multiple joints or whole-body symptoms.
- Orthopedic Surgeon Helpful for injury, deformity, severe joint pain or movement limitation.
Not sure? See a general physician
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