Joint Doctor in Kansas City
Joint Pain & Stiffness
Accurate Diagnoses.
Long-term Solutions.
Understanding the Basics Behind Joint Pain
What is Joint Pain & Stiffness?
Suffering from joint pain and stiffness can negatively affect your daily life—Without the proper range of motion, it may become harder to perform daily tasks or enjoy the things you love most.
Joint pain often comes from the hands, feet, hips, knees, and spine; however, other areas of the body may also be affected.
When you visit a Kansas City Orthopedic Alliance joint specialist, your treatment plan will not only focus on pain management but also long-lasting functionality.
Causes
Causes of Joint Pain & Stiffness
As with many musculoskeletal conditions, joint pain and stiffness is a multi-faceted issue with a range of possible underlying factors.
Osteoarthritis:
Osteoarthritis, also known as Degenerative Joint Disease, may lead to joint pain as bones rub together from cartilage degeneration.
Rheumatoid Arthritis:
While not as common as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis causes joint pain and swelling.
Bursitis:
Bursitis affects the small sacs (bursae) that cushion the bones, muscles, and tendons around a joint. The condition typically develops from repetitive motion.
Tendonitis:
Since tendons connect muscle to bone, inflammation could cause pain around the joint.
Acute Injuries:
Injuries such as bone fractures or strains may impact the joint.
Joint pain doesn’t come from a singular cause; rather, there are multiple factors that could lead to the condition. In some cases, an acute injury could cause joint pain. However, it most commonly develops over time from repetitive movements.
Rather than waiting until the pain worsens, if you suffer from joint pain symptoms, it’s often best to seek medical help for proactive solutions.
Symptoms
Symptoms of Joint Pain
Joint pain symptoms may manifest in different ways, depending on the underlying condition.
Common symptoms of joint pain include:
- Aching or soreness
- Burning
- Continuous “throbbing” sensation
- Feeling like the joint is “grating”
- Stiffness in the morning that loosens throughout the day
- Sharp pain when moving the affected joint
Some symptoms may be more serious than others, such as:
- Swelling
- Enlarged joint
- Clicking, grinding, snapping, or other sounds when moving joint
- Inability to bend or straighten joint
- Numbness
- Red, hot, and swollen joint
If you suffer from joint pain symptoms, visiting an orthopedic provider in Kansas City can help you manage pain so you can return to your normal activities.
Rather than waiting until the pain worsens, it’s often best to seek medical help for proactive solutions.
Affected Areas
- Hands
- Wrist
- Elbow
- Shoulder
- Hip
- Knee
- Foot & Ankle
- Spine
Treatments
- Exercise/Physical Therapy
- Medications
- Supplements
- Injections
- Bracing/Casting
- Surgery
- Other Specialized Treatments
Kansas City Orthopedic Alliance Joint Paint and Stiffness Assessment
Assessing the Injury
If you suspect you have joint pain or stiffness, it is important you schedule an appointment as soon as possible. That way, we can assess the issue and determine the best course of action moving forward.
Often, our physicians can diagnose you through a physical examination alone. However, if we require more information or want to rule out other underlying conditions, we may order an X-ray or other imaging.
During your initial visit, we will ask you to fill out paperwork detailing your condition. You should also bring any X-rays or diagnostic tests you’ve had performed prior to coming to Kansas City Orthopedic Alliance for treatment. Lastly, we’ll require proof of insurance or form of payment for the provision of the services rendered.
During your initial appointment, we will often ask questions such as:
After your assessment, we will devise a tendinitis treatment plan centered on the severity of the condition, your unique lifestyle, and long-term goals.
- Does your pain currently limit you or your activities?
- Has your pain progressed or worsened recently?
- Have you noticed any change in your symptoms that has made it more challenging to function?
- What are your lifestyle goals?
- How has pain affected those goals?
Injury Prevention
How to Prevent Joint Pain & Stiffness
Joint pain isn’t 100% preventable, but it is always important to take proper care of your joints. When your joints are healthy, they are less likely to become worn down, though some wear and tear is expected as your body ages.
Taking care of your bones and joints is something you should implement in your daily life. We recommend regular exercise, eating a balanced diet, maintaining a healthy weight, and monitoring your blood sugar levels if you’re diabetic. In doing so, you may reduce the amount of stress on your joints to slow down any potential degenerative process.
You should also assess your pain levels. Rather than waiting until the problem becomes severe, note when your pain deters you from your daily activities. It’s often best to seek medical attention from one of our orthopedic joint specialists to help manage these problems when you are experiencing limitations in your activity.
About Kansas City Orthopedic Alliance
Meet Kansas City Orthopedic Alliance
Our board-certified, fellowship-trained physicians and surgeons are highly experienced in their respective fields and are considered among the top orthopedic providers in the Midwest.
Along with our Physician Assistants, Nurse Practitioners, and support staff, Kansas City Orthopedic Alliance physicians deliver the utmost level of dedicated care across a range of subspecialties.
While diverse in background and capabilities, the common thread that brings all of our team members together is our patient-centered approach.
Joint pain doesn’t have to last.
Our care is personal. Our team is knowledgeable. And we’re more available than ever.
With access to board-certified specialists across Kansas City, we have the tools to meet almost every musculoskeletal condition.
Our Locations
Overland Park, Kansas
10777 Nall Ave Suite 300 Overland Park, KS 66211Leawood, Kansas
3651 College Blvd. Leawood, KS 66211Kansas City, Missouri
Saint Luke's Medical Plaza #1 4320 Wornall Rd., Ste. 610 Kansas City, MO 64111Belton, Missouri
Belton Regional Campus 17067 S Outer Rd #301 Belton, MO 64012Blue Springs, Missouri
St. Mary’s Medical Center, Main Entrance 203 NW R.D. Mize Road, Suite 250 Blue Springs, MO 64014Shawnee Mission, Kansas
7450 Kessler St ste. 140 Merriam, KS 66204Prairie Star (Lenexa, Kansas)
Prairie Star 23401 Prairie Star PkwyBldg. B, Ste. 220 Lenexa, KS 66227