Joint Pain (Shoulder, Hip, Knee, etc.)

Joint pain may involve the shoulder, hip, knee, ankle, or hands and can result from arthritis, tendon irritation, bursitis, overuse, or injury. PM&R care focuses on restoring movement quality, reducing inflammation, and improving strength and function—so pain doesn’t control your routine.

Symptom Onset & Initial Evaluation

Common symptoms include:

• Aching, stiffness, or swelling
• Pain with stairs, overhead lifting, walking, or sports
• Reduced range of motion
• Clicking, catching, or instability (in some conditions)

Your provider will evaluate joint mechanics, strength, posture, gait, and contributing factors (training changes, prior injuries, workplace demands).

Diagnosis

Joint pain is evaluated through a combination of clinical assessment and targeted imaging when needed. The diagnostic process typically begins with a hands-on evaluation and progresses based on symptom severity and persistence:

• Physical examination to assess joint motion, stability, alignment, and areas of tenderness
• X-rays to identify arthritis, joint space narrowing, or structural changes
• MRI or ultrasound when tendon or ligament injury is suspected, or when symptoms persist despite initial treatment

Treatment

Treatment for joint pain is individualized and focused on relieving symptoms, restoring function, and protecting joint health. Management often follows a stepwise approach and may include:

• Physical therapy to improve mobility, joint stabilization, and muscular strength
• Activity modification with a graded return to activity to reduce strain while maintaining movement
• Anti-inflammatory medications, when appropriate to help manage pain and swelling
• Joint or bursa injections for selected conditions requiring targeted symptom relief
• Referral to orthopedics when surgical intervention is likely to provide meaningful benefit

Ongoing Management & Long-Term Care

Long-term joint health depends on maintaining strength, flexibility, and healthy movement patterns. Ongoing care typically focuses on:

• Sustained strengthening and flexibility routines to support joint stability and function
• Weight management and conditioning strategies to reduce joint load and slow symptom progression
• Periodic follow-up if symptoms recur or functional limitations increase, allowing timely adjustment of the care plan