Do Swollen Joints Mean I Have Arthritis?

Arthritis is well-known for causing joint pain and stiffness, but it can also cause swollen joints. There are over 100 types of arthritis, but all of them are characterized by joint pain and inflammation. If you’re concerned about arthritis, we encourage you to visit us at Precision Laser Joint and Spine Pain Center in Glen Burnie, Maryland. Our cutting-edge MLS ® laser therapy can provide relief and help you postpone (or avoid) joint replacement surgeries.

In the meantime, you can continue to learn more about arthritis and joint swelling. Here, Dr. Dustin Hamoy explores the common signs of arthritis 一 including swollen joints 一 and how you can find relief from the swelling.

Do swollen joints mean you have arthritis?

Not necessarily. Swelling alone isn’t an indicator of arthritis. There are many arthritic and non-arthritic causes of joint swelling. However, if you notice that your swelling is accompanied by other symptoms of arthritis, you may benefit from arthritis treatments. 

Common symptoms of arthritis include:

• Joint pain
• Joint stiffness
• Decreased range of motion
• Redness
• Swelling

Non-arthritic causes of joint swelling include:

• Injuries, such as torn meniscus in the knee or broken ankle 
• Infections
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Preeclampsia 
• Bursitis
• Heat edema 

An accurate diagnosis is the first step in finding relief. Arthritis can be diagnosed with a physical exam, a review of your symptoms, and diagnostic imaging such as X-rays. On the other hand, if you sustained an acute injury and suspect that you’ve broken a bone, you may benefit from a trip to urgent care or the emergency department for X-ray imaging and acute injury care. 

If you notice more arthritis symptoms, you may benefit from at-home arthritis care. You can ease swelling related to arthritis with cold therapy, which is especially comforting after physical activity.

Swelling and arthritis: what you need to know

Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are two common types of arthritis. Osteoarthritis is known as the wear-and-tear arthritis that develops when cartilage breaks down, contributing to bone-on-bone pain and joint inflammation. Rheumatoid arthritis develops when your body’s immune system mistakenly attacks your joints, causing the synovial membrane in your joints to become inflamed and swollen.

Regardless of what type of arthritis you have, there are a few at-home treatments you can implement to reduce swelling and pain. This includes:

• Using heat therapy for stiff joints and cold therapy to reduce swelling
• Taking over-the-counter, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• Taking corticosteroid medications as prescribed to help reduce swelling and prevent joint damage
• Exercising daily and choose low-impact activities over high-impact ones
• Stretching
• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Refraining from inactivity as that can make arthritis worse (but know your limits and rest when needed)

Low-impact activities to help with arthritis include swimming, yoga, gentle stretching, walking, bicycling, and the elliptical machine.

Getting relief from swollen, arthritic joints

Here at Precision Laser Joint and Spine Pain Center, we offer MLS laser therapy for many conditions 一 arthritis included. MLS laser therapy can:

• Stimulate cell regeneration in your joints
• Improve blood circulation (which also promotes healing) 
• Encourage your brain to release natural painkillers e.g., endorphins 

Studies found that laser therapy for arthritis can relieve pain, improve range of motion, and improve circulation. Together, these benefits can help you postpone (or avoid) more invasive arthritis treatments like joint replacements.

Don’t ignore swollen joints. If you suspect you have arthritis, call Precision Laser Joint and Spine Pain Center at 410-324-2968, or use our booking tool to schedule an appointment today.