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Joint pain

Joint pain is common, especially as you get older. There are things you can do to ease the pain but get medical help if it's very painful or it does not get better.

If these symptoms are severe, persistent or worsening, seek medical advice promptly.

Prescription review online

Prescription review online

A doctor will review your case and issue a prescription if medically appropriate.

Talk to a doctor online

Talk to a doctor online

Discuss your symptoms and possible next steps with a doctor online.

This page provides general information and does not replace a doctor’s consultation. If symptoms are severe, persistent or worsening, seek medical advice promptly.

Joint pain is common, especially as you get older. There are things you can do to ease the pain but get medical help if it's very painful or it does not get better.

Types of joint pain

Common types of joint pain include:

You might feel pain in 1 joint, or more than 1 joint at the same time, such as your knees and hips.

Causes of joint pain

There are many possible causes of joint pain. It might be caused by an injury or a longer-lasting problem such as arthritis.

Your symptoms might give you an idea what could be causing the pain. But do not self-diagnose, see a GP if you're worried.

Symptoms Possible cause
Pain, swelling or bruising after intense or repetitive exercise Sprain or strain
Over the age of 45, pain worse when walking and stiffness after moving Osteoarthritis
Hot, swollen joint that's more painful when you move it or press on it Bursitis
Pain and stiffness felt in both sides of your body that's worse after not moving (for example, when you wake up) Rheumatoid arthritis
Hot, swollen toe joint (usually big toe) with very bad pain that comes on suddenly Gout
Hot, swollen joint and a high temperature or feeling hot and shivery Joint infection (septic arthritis)

How you can ease joint pain

There are some things you can do to ease joint pain.

Do

  • try to rest the affected joint if you can

  • put an ice pack (or bag of frozen peas) wrapped in a towel on the painful area for up to 20 minutes every 2 to 3 hours

  • take painkillers, such as ibuprofen or paracetamol, but do not take ibuprofen in the first 48 hours after an injury

  • try to lose weight if you're overweight

Consult with a doctor about Joint pain

Consult with a doctor about Joint pain

Discuss your symptoms and possible next steps with a doctor online.

Don’t

  • do not carry anything heavy

  • do not completely stop moving the affected joint

See a GP if:

  • joint pain is stopping you doing normal activities or affecting your sleep
  • the pain is getting worse or keeps coming back
  • the pain has not improved after treating it at home for 2 weeks
  • your joints are stiff for more than 30 minutes after waking up

Go to A&E or call 112 if:

  • you have very bad joint pain after a fall or injury
  • you're unable to walk or put weight on a joint
  • your joint has moved out of place
  • you have any tingling or you have no feeling in the area around the joint after an injury

Treatments for joint pain

Treatment for joint pain depends on what's causing it. Sometimes the pain might go away without treatment.

A GP might:

  • prescribe stronger painkillers
  • prescribe antibiotics if they think you have an infection
  • refer you for physiotherapy
  • refer you to a hospital for a scan or specialist treatment, for example steroid injections or surgery

Self-refer for treatment

If you have joint pain, you might be able to refer yourself directly to services for help with your condition without seeing a GP.

To find out if there are any services in your area:

  • ask the reception staff at your GP surgery
  • check your GP surgery's website
  • contact your integrated care board (ICB) – find your local ICB

Online doctors for Joint pain

Discuss your symptoms and possible next steps for Joint pain with a doctor online.

5.0 (140)
Doctor

Yevgen Yakovenko

General surgery 12 years exp.

Dr. Yevgen Yakovenko is a licensed surgeon and general practitioner in Spain and Germany. He specialises in general, paediatric, and oncological surgery, internal medicine, and pain management. He offers online consultations for adults and children, combining surgical precision with therapeutic support. Dr Yakovenko works with patients across different countries and provides care in Ukrainian, Russian, English, and Spanish.

Areas of medical expertise:

  • Acute and chronic pain: headaches, muscle and joint pain, back pain, abdominal pain, postoperative pain. Identifying the cause, selecting treatment, and creating a care plan.
  • Internal medicine: heart, lungs, gastrointestinal tract, urinary system. Management of chronic conditions, symptom control, second opinions.
  • Pre- and postoperative care: risk assessment, decision-making support, follow-up after surgery, rehabilitation strategies.
  • General and paediatric surgery: hernias, appendicitis, congenital conditions, both planned and urgent surgeries.
  • Injuries and trauma: bruises, fractures, sprains, soft tissue damage, wound care, dressing, referral when in-person care is required.
  • Oncological surgery: diagnosis review, treatment planning, and long-term follow-up.
  • Obesity treatment and weight management: a medical approach to weight loss, including assessment of underlying causes, evaluation of comorbidities, development of a personalised plan (nutrition, physical activity, pharmacotherapy if needed), and ongoing progress monitoring.
  • Imaging interpretation: analysis of ultrasound, CT, MRI, and X-ray results, surgical planning based on imaging data.
  • Second opinions and medical navigation: clarifying diagnoses, reviewing current treatment plans, helping patients choose the best course of action.

Experience and qualifications:

  • 12+ years of clinical experience in university hospitals in Germany and Spain.
  • International education: Ukraine – Germany – Spain.
  • Member of the German Society of Surgeons (BDC).
  • Certified in radiological diagnostics and robotic surgery.
  • Active participant in international medical conferences and research.

Dr Yakovenko explains complex topics in a clear, accessible way. He works collaboratively with patients to analyse health issues and make evidence-based decisions. His approach is grounded in clinical excellence, scientific accuracy, and respect for each individual.

If you are unsure about a diagnosis, preparing for surgery, or want to discuss your test results – Dr Yakovenko will help you evaluate your options and move forward with confidence.

5.0 (29)
Doctor

Anna Biriukova

General medicine 6 years exp.

Dr Anna Biriukova is an internal medicine doctor with clinical experience in cardiology, endocrinology, and gastroenterology. She provides online consultations for adults, offering expert medical support for heart health, hormonal balance, digestive issues, and general internal medicine.

Cardiology – Diagnosis and treatment of:

  • High blood pressure, blood pressure fluctuations, and cardiovascular risk prevention.
  • Chest pain, shortness of breath, arrhythmias (tachycardia, bradycardia, palpitations).
  • Leg swelling, chronic fatigue, reduced exercise tolerance.
  • EKG interpretation, lipid profile evaluation, cardiovascular risk assessment (heart attack, stroke).
  • Post-COVID-19 cardiac monitoring and care.
Endocrinology – Diabetes, thyroid, metabolism:
  • Diagnosis and management of type 1 and type 2 diabetes, and prediabetes.
  • Individual treatment plans including oral medications and insulin therapy.
  • GLP-1 therapy– modern pharmacological treatment for weight management and diabetes control, including drug selection, monitoring, and safety follow-up.
  • Thyroid disorders – hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, autoimmune thyroid diseases (Hashimoto’s, Graves’ disease).
  • Metabolic syndrome – obesity, lipid disorders, insulin resistance.
Gastroenterology – Digestive health:
  • Abdominal pain, nausea, heartburn, gastroesophageal reflux (GERD).
  • Stomach and intestinal conditions: gastritis, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), indigestion.
  • Management of chronic digestive disorders and interpretation of tests (endoscopy, ultrasound, labs).
General internal medicine and preventive care:
  • Respiratory infections – cough, colds, bronchitis.
  • Lab test analysis, therapy adjustments, medication management.
  • Adult vaccinations – planning, contraindications assessment.
  • Cancer prevention – screening strategies and risk assessment.
  • Holistic approach – symptom relief, complication prevention, and quality of life improvement.
Dr Biriukova combines internal medicine with specialist insight, offering clear explanations, personalised treatment plans, and comprehensive care tailored to each patient.
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