Musculoskeletal pain can be caused by disorders of bone, muscle, joints, tendons or ligament problems.
They can be short term or longstanding and can be mild or in some cases, severe and debilitating. The pain can be limited to just one area or can be spread across several sites.
They are one of the most common reasons that patients visiting a doctor, in particular back pain.
At any one time 3 in 10 adults in the UK are suffering with one form of musculoskeletal pain, so this shows that scale of the problem.
What can cause musculoskeletal pain
Apart from injuries, repetitive and excessive use of joints are the main cause of musculoskeletal pain.
This can be due to activities at work, recreational pastimes including sport, or just degeneration of joints and muscles due to obesity, lack of flexibility with age or inactivity.
Tendinitis and osteoarthritis are the most common underlying causes of pain and can cause pain that limits a person’s ability to function.
How is musculoskeletal pain treated?
The treatment will be proposed based on a careful medical evaluation. Complementary diagnostic tests may be suggested, such as blood tests, ultrasounds, X-rays or MRI.
In the fight against pain, analgesics such as anti-inflammatories and, in more serious situations, opioids can be prescribed. In some cases, it is also necessary to resort to immobilization of the affected area using a splint, to control the levels of pain and discomfort, as well as to referral to a physiotherapist for graduated program of strengthening and mobility.
Particularly concerning symptoms would include severe stiffness upon waking up, swollen joints, burning or shooting pain in the spine or limbs, or weakness of a limb.
If you suffer from any of these symptoms, you should seek medical help and remember to reduce your workload, increase rest periods and not expose yourself to stressful situations.
At Oval Medical Centre we prioritize your comfort. We want you to live pain free!