Joint pain and arthritis: staying active without making it worse

Achy knees, stiff hands, and sore hips can make it tempting to sit out the cooler fall weather in Portland, Corpus Christi, and across the Coastal Bend. But the right kind of movement can often ease joint pain. The key is knowing what kind of arthritis you have and when to get checked.

Two main types of arthritis

Osteoarthritis is the most common kind. Over time, the smooth cushion at the ends of your bones wears down. It often affects knees, hips, hands, and the lower back. Pain tends to get worse with use and better with rest, and it may involve just one or two joints.

Inflammatory arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis, works differently. The immune system attacks the lining of the joints by mistake. It often shows up in the same joints on both sides of the body, like both wrists or both hands. Morning stiffness can last a long time, and many people also feel tired or run down.

The two can feel alike at first but need very different treatment. That's why a real diagnosis matters.

Signs worth getting checked

Make an appointment if you notice:

• Swelling, warmth, or redness around a joint
• Morning stiffness that lasts more than 30 minutes
• Pain that limits daily life, like walking, climbing stairs, gripping a jar, or sleeping
• Pain in several joints at once, especially with tiredness
• Less range of motion, or pain that wakes you up at night

How joint pain is evaluated

Your visit starts with a careful exam and questions about which joints hurt, when, and what makes it better or worse. Your provider may order lab work, since blood tests can help sort out inflammatory arthritis from wear and tear. If imaging makes sense, we offer X-rays right in our clinic, so you don't have to drive to a separate imaging center.

We manage osteoarthritis and many other kinds of joint pain here. For rheumatoid arthritis, we diagnose it and start the workup, then refer you to rheumatology for treatment. If a joint injection or an orthopedic procedure is the right next step, we schedule you with a provider who performs it and stay involved in your care. Physical therapy referrals are also available.

Why movement helps

Resting a sore joint feels like the right move. But too much rest can lead to stiffer joints and weaker muscles. Regular activity can often reduce pain and help you keep doing what you love.

• Choose low-impact activity. Walking, biking, and swimming or water exercise are easier on the joints than running or jumping.
• Build strength. Stronger muscles around the knees and hips help take pressure off the joint itself.
• Start slow. A few minutes a day is fine. Add time little by little.
• Watch your weight. Even modest weight loss can ease the load on your knees and hips.
• Listen to your body. Some mild soreness is normal. Sharp pain or swelling that lasts is a sign to back off and call us.

Heat, ice, and pain relievers

Heat, like a warm shower or heating pad, can loosen stiff joints before activity. Ice, wrapped in a thin towel, can calm swelling after activity. Keep either one on for about 15 to 20 minutes at a time, and never put it right on bare skin.

Over-the-counter pain relievers can help some people, but they aren't risk free. Anti-inflammatory medicines such as ibuprofen and naproxen can upset the stomach, cause bleeding, strain the kidneys, and raise blood pressure, especially when taken often. Acetaminophen can harm the liver in high amounts. Topical pain relievers rubbed on the skin may be a gentler choice for some joints. Always read the label, and ask your provider or pharmacist what's safe for you, especially if you have kidney disease or high blood pressure, or take blood thinners.

When to get care right away

A joint that's hot, red, and swollen, along with a fever, can be a sign of infection inside the joint. It needs prompt care the same day. We're closed on weekends, so go to an urgent care or the emergency room if you can't be seen right away. Call 911 if you have:

• A joint that looks bent out of shape after a fall or injury
• Fever with severe joint pain and you feel very ill or confused
• Sudden chest pain or shortness of breath

Keep moving with us

Our providers care for adults and teens 12 and up with joint pain and arthritis. We're open Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 7 PM, at 125 Northshore Blvd in Portland. We serve Portland, Corpus Christi, and surrounding areas. Walk-ins are welcome during clinic hours, same-day visits are often available, and you can call (361) 208-6701 before you come.

Learn more about our arthritis and joint pain care, check our frequently asked questions, or become a patient so you can stay active this fall and beyond.