Joint, Knee & Musculoskeletal Pain

What it means

Joint pain often comes from arthritis, an old injury or inflammation of the tissues around a joint. Options range from exercise and physical therapy to injections and newer minimally invasive procedures. Our reporting here covers knees, hips, shoulders and other joints.

Symptoms and warning signs

• Pain in a joint when moving it that often eases with rest
• Stiffness, especially for the first half hour after getting up
• Swelling after using the joint a lot
• Reduced range of movement, or a joint that feels loose or unstable
• Grinding, clicking or catching in the knee, shoulder or hip
• Warning signs needing prompt care: a hot, red, swollen joint with fever; a joint that suddenly cannot bear weight; obvious deformity after an injury

Causes and risk factors

• Osteoarthritis — gradual breakdown of the smooth cartilage that cushions the joint; the most common type of arthritis
• Old injuries, including meniscus or ligament tears in the knee
• Tendon irritation (tendinopathy) and bursitis around the joint
• Inflammatory arthritis, which needs different treatment and is diagnosed by a clinician
• Risk factors include age (more common after 50, and in women after that age), excess weight, previous joint injury, repetitive heavy use and a family history

Conditions in this group

As listed by SEVA Healthcare on its joint, knee & musculoskeletal pain page.

• Knee arthritis
• Shoulder pain
• Hip pain
• Joint inflammation
• Tendon injuries
• Meniscus tear pain
• Post-injury stiffness
• Degenerative joint disease

How clinicians evaluate it

Evaluation usually involves an examination of the joint, a review of how pain affects walking or daily tasks, and X-rays or other imaging when needed. Previous treatments, such as physical therapy or injections, help guide the next step.

Treatments SEVA Healthcare lists

Copied from the official page. Listing a treatment does not mean it suits every patient or is available at every clinic — a doctor decides after an evaluation.

• Genicular Artery Embolization (GAE)
• Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy
• Stem Cell Therapy
• Joint Injections (Knee, Shoulder, Hip)
• Peripheral Nerve Stimulation (PNS)

How SEVA Healthcare treats joint, knee & musculoskeletal pain

Everyday self-management

General education, not a plan for you. Check with your clinician before changing activity or medicines.

• Movement matters: regular, appropriate exercise and strengthening the muscles around a joint generally reduce pain and stiffness over time, though the right amount depends on your diagnosis
• Warming up before activity and using supportive footwear can help knees and hips
• Heat before activity and cold after a flare are common, low-risk measures
• Weight management reduces load on knees and hips
• Use assistive devices (a cane, rails, jar openers) without embarrassment if they let you keep doing what matters to you

Questions to discuss with a clinician

• Is this osteoarthritis, an injury, or an inflammatory condition — and how do you know?
• Which exercises are safe for my joint, and should I see a physical therapist?
• What are my options before considering joint replacement, and what does the evidence say about each?
• If an injection or procedure is suggested, how long does relief usually last and how often can it be repeated?
• Which symptoms mean I should be seen quickly?