What are Common Causes of Body Joint Pain?

Body joint pain can be caused by several conditions, and the most common condition is simply injury or trauma to the joint. Arthritis is another common cause of body joint pain that results in severe and chronic pain that cannot be cured completely. Tendinitis, or an inflammation of tendons, can cause body joint pain as well, which can in turn lead to muscle aches. Bursitis — or the inflammation of bursae, which are fluid filled sacs in joints — can cause pain in the joints and limit mobility. In many cases, joint pain can be treated with rest, stretching, or medication, though in some cases, surgery may be necessary.

Injuries to the bones, ligaments, tendons, and muscles that comprise a joint can lead to body joint pain in any area of the body. Bone fractures, regardless of severity, can lead to pain that may radiate throughout an entire region of the body. Ligaments may become sprained, taking several weeks to heal. Sprains are likely to occur during physical activities such as sports or heavy lifting, and the sprain may be accompanied by swelling, tenderness, and general weakness in the affected joint. Muscles that help the joint function can also become strained — the small fibers that make up the muscle can tear, leading to pain or weakness, as well as swelling, limited mobility, and other discomfort.

Osteoarthritis is a common cause of body joint pain, especially in elderly and middle-aged people. This type of arthritis occurs when the ligaments that connect the bones of a joint begin to wear out, leading to nerve compression as well as degradation of the bones. There is no cure for arthritis, though pain management and strength training can help alleviate the symptoms. Light exercise and stretching can help slow the progress of arthritis, and anti-inflammatory medications or painkilling medications can help keep swelling to a minimum and alleviate pain. In very severe cases, surgery may be necessary to treat the arthritis; sometimes joint replacement surgeries are necessary to remedy the problem.

Overuse of the joints can cause body joint pain as well, especially if the body is not used to or prepared for the strain it undergoes during physical activity. People who exercise only sporadically are likely to feel soreness or tenderness in the joints after physical activity. Light stretching and hydration can often alleviate the discomfort associated with this type of pain, and in more severe cases, over-the-counter painkillers may be taken.