What causes joint pain?

Joint pain can be caused by a variety of factors, including injuries, medical conditions, and lifestyle factors. Some common causes of joint pain include:

1. **Injuries:** Acute injuries, such as sprains, strains, fractures, and dislocations, can cause immediate joint pain. These injuries often result from trauma, falls, sports activities, or accidents.

2. **Arthritis:** Arthritis is a broad term referring to inflammation of the joints. The most common types of arthritis include osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and gout. Arthritis can cause joint pain, stiffness, swelling, and reduced range of motion.

3. **Overuse or Repetitive Strain:** Activities that involve repetitive movements or excessive stress on the joints, such as repetitive lifting, typing, or sports activities, can lead to overuse injuries and joint pain.

4. **Degenerative Changes:** Over time, the cartilage that cushions the joints may wear down, leading to degenerative changes such as osteoarthritis. Degenerative joint conditions can cause chronic joint pain and stiffness, particularly in weight-bearing joints like the knees, hips, and spine.

5. **Autoimmune Disorders:** Autoimmune disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and psoriatic arthritis, occur when the immune system mistakenly attacks the body's own tissues, including the joints. These conditions can cause inflammation, joint pain, and damage to the joint cartilage and surrounding structures.

6. **Infections:** Joint infections, such as septic arthritis, can occur when bacteria, viruses, or fungi enter the joint space, leading to inflammation and pain. Infections may result from injuries, surgery, or underlying medical conditions.

7. **Bursitis:** Bursitis is inflammation of the bursae, small fluid-filled sacs that cushion and lubricate the joints. Bursitis can cause pain, swelling, and tenderness in the affected joint, often due to repetitive movements or prolonged pressure on the joint.

8. **Tendinitis:** Tendinitis is inflammation of the tendons, the thick cords that connect muscles to bones. Tendinitis can occur in any joint but is most common in the shoulders, elbows, wrists, knees, and ankles. It can cause pain, swelling, and stiffness, particularly with movement or activity.

9. **Other Medical Conditions:** Certain medical conditions, such as fibromyalgia, Lyme disease, lupus, and thyroid disorders, can cause generalized joint pain as a symptom.

10. **Age and Genetics:** Age-related changes in joint structure and genetics may predispose individuals to joint pain and conditions such as osteoarthritis.

It's essential to consult with a healthcare professional if you experience persistent or severe joint pain, as proper diagnosis and treatment are crucial for managing symptoms and preventing complications. Depending on the underlying cause of joint pain, treatment may include medication, physical therapy, lifestyle modifications, joint injections, or surgery.