Joint pain judgment
How to know when to see a doctor
SORENESS IS A NORMAL RESULT when you increase daily movement with activities like outdoor walks, yard work and pickleball. However, it’s important to be able to identify what is a normal ache and what could need further medical attention.
WHAT’S NORMAL
When you increase your activity, mild soreness, stiffness and aching pain can be normal. These types of symptoms are often seen in large joints of the body such as the knee and shoulder. Normal joint pain symptoms can typically begin a day or so after the activity that caused it. This type of pain does not usually affect your daily life or keep you from doing things you need to do. It should gradually improve over time.
Normal, short-term joint pain can be managed at home with these steps:
- Taking periods of rest and modifying activity.
- Icing the affected joint for 10–15 minutes at a time.
- Stretching the affected joint, which can also help with mobility.
TIME TO SEEK HELP
You should see a medical professional if you experience these symptoms:
- Pain that lingers beyond a few weeks.
- Significant swelling.
- Redness, warmth, decreased range of motion, and instability.
- Pain that begins immediately after a single injury, such as a pop in the knee while playing pickleball.
To help prevent injury, stretch before activity and ice joints afterward. Gradually increase your activity levels to avoid overuse, and maintain proper nutrition.
KOLT PRUITT, D.O., is an assistant professor of orthopedic surgery and sports medicine at the University of Kentucky.
