- NEURORADIOLOGY & PAIN SOLUTIONS OF OKLAHOMA -

CAUSES OF JOINT PAIN

Some of the common causes of joint pain include muscle and joint:
● Overuse.● Tension.● Injury.● Infection.● Inflammation.● Sprains and strains.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS COMMONLY ASSOCIATED WITH JOINT PAIN?

Symptoms that can be associated with joint pain include:
● Swelling.● Redness.● Tenderness.● Warm to touch.● Persistent pain.

HOW IS JOINT PAIN TREATED?

Some of the measures that can be employed to treat joint pain include:
● Using medications such as topical pain relievers and oral anti-inflammatory drugs.● Application of heat and ice on the affected area.● Adequate resting of the affected area.● Strengthening muscle function and maintaining a good range of motion with a regular exercise regimen.● Maintaining a proper body weight.● Engaging in stress-relieving activities such as meditation and yoga.● Lifestyle changes.

WHICH MEDICAL CONDITIONS CAN CAUSE JOINT PAIN?

● Bacterial and viral infections.
● Autoimmune disorders such as polymyositis, dermatomyositis, or lupus.
● Use of medications such as ACE inhibitors or statins.
● Fibromyalgia.
● Hypokalaemia.
● Hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism.
● Osteoporosis.
● Chondromalacia.
● Gout.
● Tendinitis.
● Infectious diseases such as influenza, mumps, or hepatitis.
● Arthritis such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.
● Lyme disease.
● Polymyalgia rheumatica.

HOW IS THE UNDERLYING CAUSE OF YOUR JOINT PAIN?

Your doctor will review your symptoms and medical history and perform a physical examination. 
If necessary, your doctor will order certain diagnostic tests like X-rays to identify arthritis-specific joint damage, blood tests to screen for certain autoimmune diseases, complete blood count, sedimentation rate test to estimate the level of inflammation in the body, and other tests to narrow down the potential causes of joint pain.

TREATMENTS

At Neuroradiology and Pain Solutions of Oklahoma, we offer a variety of treatments for this condition, including:
● Intra-Articular Joint Injection ● Peripheral Nerve Blocks ● Radiofrequency Ablation ● Peripheral Nerve Stimulation Treatment

ANATOMY OF THE KNEE JOINT

The knee is one of the largest joints in the body, formed by the lower end of the femur, the upper end of the tibia, and the patella (kneecap). Several ligaments and muscles attach to the bones of the knee joint to maintain the normal motion of the joint. Special tissues known as menisci are located between the two articular ends of the joint. These act as a cushion between the articular surfaces and absorb shock during movement.

Diagnosis & Treatment

A detailed medical history and physical examination of the knee are crucial for diagnosis. Your doctor may also conduct diagnostic imaging studies such as X-rays, MRI scans, CT scans, and ultrasound. Blood tests may be performed to identify any infection, gout or pseudogout. Sometimes, arthrocentesis may also be performed, wherein the fluid from the knee joint is removed and sent for laboratory analysis.
Treatment options depend upon the underlying cause responsible for knee pain. Common treatments for knee pain include rest, ice and heat application, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, stretching, physical therapy, and cortisone injections.
If surgery is not available or desired, we can offer:
● Nerve Ablative Therapy.● Knee Injection ● Radiofrequency Ablation ● Peripheral Nerve Stimulation Treatment ● Spinal Cord Stimulator
If you have trouble or inability to walk, deformity around the joint, inability to bend the knee, knee pain persisting beyond a few days and more at night, or pain associated with swelling, warmth or redness, you should consult your doctor for immediate medical intervention.

Causes

Some of the common causes of knee pain include:
● Arthritis: a condition associated with inflammation of the joint● Knee ligament injuries.● Torn meniscus.● Patellar tendonitis: inflammation of the patellar tendon, which connects the kneecap to the shinbone.● Chondromalacia patellae: softening of the articular cartilage on the under surface of the kneecap, causing knee pain.● Dislocated kneecap.● Baker's cyst: a fluid-filled swelling in the back of the knee, which usually results from another injury such as a meniscus tear.● Knee bursitis: inflammation of the bursae, small fluid-filled sacs located around the joints, usually between a tendon and bone.● Plica syndrome: results from inflammation of the synovial tissue of the knee causing knee pain and swelling.● Osgood-Schlatter disease: caused by irritation of the growth plate at the front of the knee joint; more common in adolescents.● Osteochondritis dissecans: characterized by detachment of a cartilage fragment and a thin layer of the bone from the end of a bone due to inadequate blood supply. These fragments may either stay in place or slide around the joint, causing pain and joint instability.● Gout: characterized by sudden, severe attacks of joint pain, with swelling and redness around the joint, caused by the accumulation of uric acid crystals in the joints.

Causes

Some of the common causes of muscle and joint pain include muscle and joint:
● Overuse.● Tension.● Injury.● Infection.● Inflammation.● Sprains and strains.

What Are the Symptoms Commonly Associated With Muscle and Joint Pain?

Symptoms that can be associated with muscle and joint pain include:

● Swelling
● Redness
● Tenderness
● Warm to touch
● Persistent pain

HOW IS MUSCLE AND JOINT PAIN TREATED?

Some of the measures that can be employed to treat muscle and joint pain include:
● Using medications such as topical pain relievers and oral anti-inflammatory drugs.● Application of heat and ice on the affected area.● Adequate resting of the affected area.● Strengthening muscle function and maintaining good range of motion with a regular exercise regimen.● Maintaining a proper body weight.● Engaging in stress-relieving activities such as meditation and yoga.● Lifestyle changes.● Trigger Point Injections.● Intra-Articular Joint Injection.

WHAT TYPES OF MEDICAL CONDITIONS CAN CAUSE MUSCLE AND JOINT PAIN?

SOME OF THE COMMON CONDITIONS ASSOCIATED WITH MUSCLE AND JOINT PAIN INCLUDE:
● Bacterial and viral infections.● Autoimmune disorders such as polymyositis, dermatomyositis, or lupus.● Use of medications such as ACE inhibitors or statins.● Fibromyalgia.● Hypokalaemia.● Hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism.● Osteoporosis.● Chondromalacia.● Gout.● Tendinitis.● Infectious diseases such as influenza, mumps, or hepatitis.● Arthritis such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.● Lyme disease.● Polymyalgia rheumatica.

How Is the Underlying Cause of Your Muscle and Joint Pain Diagnosed?

Your doctor will review your symptoms and medical history and perform a physical examination. 
If necessary, your doctor will order certain diagnostic tests like X-rays to identify arthritis-specific joint damage, blood tests to screen for certain autoimmune diseases, complete blood count, sedimentation rate test to estimate the level of inflammation in the body, and other tests to narrow down the potential causes of muscle and joint pain.

CERVICAL ANATOMY

The first 7 vertebral bones of the spinal column form the cervical spine in the neck region. The neck bears the weight of the head, allows a significant amount of movement, and is less protected than other parts of the spine. All these factors make the neck more susceptible to injury or other painful disorders.

CAUSES

The most common cause of neck pain is injury to the soft tissues (muscles, ligaments or nerves) or prolonged wear and tear. Traumatic accidents or falls and contact sports can cause severe neck injuries and pain. Neck pain can also occur from infections, tumours or congenital abnormalities of the vertebrae. The common conditions producing neck pain include:
● Rheumatoid arthritis: It is an autoimmune disease in which the body's immune system attacks healthy joints, tissues, and organs. The condition occurs most often in the upper neck area, causing inflammation of the lining (or synovium) of joints, and resulting in neck pain, stiffness, swelling, and loss of function.
● Cervical disc herniation: disc herniation is the bulging or rupture of the soft fibrous disc that cushions the vertebrae. The soft central portion called nucleus pulposus bulges out through the tear in the capsule. Cervical disc herniation refers to the herniation of the discs in the cervical spine region or neck region. The condition can be caused by normal ageing or by traumatic injury to the spine. The condition results in painful, burning, tingling or numbing sensations in the neck.
● Cervical spondylosis: Cervical spondylosis refers to the abnormal degeneration of the cartilage and bones in the neck region. The condition results in neck pain radiating to arms or shoulder and neck stiffness that gets worse over time.
● Cervical stenosis: Cervical stenosis refers to the narrowing of the spinal canal that protects the spinal cord and its branching nerves. The condition causes neck pain radiating to your arms and hands.
● Degenerative disc disease: Degenerative disc disease refers to the gradual deterioration of the disc between the vertebrae and is caused due to ageing. As people age, intervertebral discs lose their flexibility, elasticity and shock absorbing characteristics, resulting in neck pain.

DIAGNOSIS OF NECK PAIN

The diagnosis of neck pain is made with a review of your history, physical examination and other imaging techniques including electromyography (EMG), X-ray, MRI scan, CT scan, blood tests, and bone density assessment.

Prevention of Neck Pain

The following steps may help you prevent or improve your neck pain:
● Practice relaxation exercises to prevent undesirable stress and tension to the neck muscles.● Perform stretching exercises for your neck before and after exercise.● Maintain good posture if you work at a computer and adjust the monitor to your eye level. Stretch your neck frequently.● If you use the telephone a lot, use a headset.● Use a pillow that keeps your neck straight.● Wear seat belts and use bike helmets to reduce injuries.

treatments

At Neuroradiology and Pain Solutions of Oklahoma, we offer a variety of treatments for this condition, including:
● Epidural Injection ● Facet injection ● Spinal Cord Stimulator ● Sympathetic Nerve Block ● Medial Branch Block ● Radiofrequency Ablation

Causes

● Traumatic injuries caused when there is a sudden impact.● Biomechanical problems such as twisted pelvis, leg length discrepancies or muscle imbalances.● Hormonal changes during pregnancy.● Inflammatory joint conditions such as arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis.

Symptoms

● The most common symptom of sacroiliac joint dysfunction is pain. ● Patients often experience pain in the lower back, thigh, groin, or buttocks that radiates down the leg. ● The pain is typically worse with standing and walking and is relieved on resting. ● Other symptoms include limping, fever, psoriasis, eye inflammation, and limited range of motion.

diagnosis

Proper diagnosis is essential because the symptoms mimic other common conditions, including sciatica, herniated discs, or other lower back pain problems. Sacroiliac joint pain is diagnosed by reviewing the patient's medical history and performing a physical examination. Other imaging studies such as MRI, CT scan, bone scan, and X-rays may be needed to know the extent of joint damage.

Treatments

Treatment options include use of pain medications, adequate rest, wearing a sacroiliac belt to stabilize the joint, and physical therapy. For patients not responding to conservative line of management, we offer additional advanced treatments:
● SI Joint Injection ● Radiofrequency Ablation ● Sacroiliac Joint Fusion ● Peripheral Nerve Stimulation Treatment

CAUSES OF BACK PAIN

The common causes of back pain in athletes include:
● Musculoligamentous strain: It is the most common sports injury caused by injury to the soft tissues around the spine.
● Spondylolysis: It is most commonly found in athletes who participate in sports such as gymnastics, pole-vaulting, and football. All these activities require frequent hyperextension of the lumbar spine.
● Spondylolisthesis: It is a condition of the spine that occurs when one vertebra is displaced or has slipped forward over the other below it.
● Herniated nucleus pulposus: When an injury occurs, the central core of the disc is pushed through a tear in the outer hard layer of the disc, causing a bulge and pressure on nearby nerves. If the herniated disc presses on a spinal nerve, it can cause back pain.
Other causes include growth-related problems such as scoliosis and Scheuermann's kyphosis.

CHARACTERISTICS & SYMPTOMS

● Back pain can occur as a dull constant pain or a sudden sharp pain. It may be confined to one area or radiate to other areas such as the arm and hand, upper or lower back, and leg or foot.

● Other than pain you may experience weakness, numbness or tingling in your arms or legs caused by damage to the spinal cord.

RISK FACTORS

● Athletes participating in sports such as skiing, basketball, football, ice skating, soccer, running, golf or tennis are at a greater risk of developing back pain.
● During these sports activities, the spine needs to bear more stress, take up more pressure, undergo twisting and turning, as well as bodily impact.
● This may cause strain on the back that can result in back pain.
● Athletes are at a high risk of back pain both from trauma and from overuse injuries, especially in sports requiring hyperextension.

To diagnose your headache, your doctor will review your medical history and perform a physical examination to define the type of headache and possible causes.

You may need to undergo CT and MRI testing to look for abnormalities, blood and urine tests, or electroencephalography to study the electrical activity of the brain.

TREATMENTS

At Neuroradiology and Pain Solutions of Oklahoma, we offer a variety of treatments for this condition, including:
● Spinal Biopsy● Facet injection● Vertebroplasty / Kyphoplasty / Sacroplasty / Cementoplasty● Intracept● Reactiv8● Radiofrequency Ablation