Ambulance 912HAP 9252
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General health information

Joint problems

Joint problems include pain, stiffness, swelling or reduced movement in one or more joints. Possible causes include overuse, injury, osteoarthritis, gout, an inflammatory disease and infection. Location, duration, morning stiffness, swelling and other symptoms help distinguish them. A suddenly red, hot, swollen and very painful joint, especially with fever or feeling unwell, needs urgent assessment the same day.

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  • Joint problems include pain, stiffness, swelling, warmth, noises or reduced movement. The cause may lie in the joint or surrounding tendons, muscles, ligaments and bursae, the small fluid-filled cushioning sacs.
  • A sudden onset after an awkward movement is more suggestive of injury; gradually developing pain with activity may be osteoarthritis or overuse. Prolonged morning stiffness and several swollen joints may signal an inflammatory disease.
  • Keeping gently active is usually helpful, but do not push through sharp pain, instability or marked swelling. Build activities and muscle strength step by step.
  • A red, hot, swollen and very painful joint with fever or feeling unwell may be infected. It must be examined the same day; waiting may cause permanent joint damage.
  • During the day, call your own GP; outside office hours, call HAP 9252 for urgent problems. Ambulance 912 is only for immediate danger to life.

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Further reading

Browse A–Z
R
Rheumatic conditionsRheumatic conditions are a broad group of disorders affecting joints, muscles, tendons, bones and connective tissue. Causes and treatments vary greatly. Persistent swelling, prolonged morning stiffness or a hot joint with fever require medical assessment.
B
Bacterial joint infection (septic arthritis)A bacterial joint infection, also called septic arthritis, is a serious infection that can quickly damage a joint. Sudden severe pain and swelling in a joint need urgent assessment.
K
Knee problemsKnee problems can result from overuse, a twist, wear and tear, irritation around the kneecap or a meniscus or ligament injury, but sometimes from an infection, thrombosis or fracture. The location of pain, how swelling develops and whether you can still bear weight give important clues. A warm red knee with fever, a painful swollen calf, obvious deformity after trauma or inability to bear weight need prompt assessment. Not every knee problem is an emergency, but recurring or unexplained symptoms deserve a clear explanation and examination.