Arthralgia

Arthralgia

Arthralgia refers to joint pain. Many types of injuries and numerous conditions can cause arthralgia. A sprain is an injury to a ligament around a joint. Sprains are caused when a joint is forced into an unnatural position.

Arthralgia can be caused by tendonitis. Tendonitis is the inflammation, irritation, and swelling of a tendon, which is the fibrous tissue that connects muscle to bone. Bursitis is when the bursae, fluid-filled sacs that cushion the joints, become inflamed due to injury, overuse, or infection.

Several infectious diseases can cause arthralgia. Influenza, hepatitis, rubella, chickenpox, measles, and mumps can cause joint pain. Rheumatic fever is an inflammatory disease that can develop after a person was infected by streptococcus bacteria, like strep throat. Rheumatic fever can cause joint pain. It can also affect the heart, skin, and brain. Joint pain can be caused by mononucleosis from an Epstein-Barr viral infection.

Arthralgia is present in a number of rheumatological diseases. Lyme disease, which is transmitted by the bite of an infected deer tick, can cause joint pain. Some autoimmune disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, can cause joint pain. A common general treatment for arthralgia is the use of anti-inflammatory medications, like ibuprofen.