Overview

Joints are the parts of your body where your bones meet. Joints allow the bones of your skeleton to move. Joints include:

  • shoulders
  • hips
  • elbows
  • knees

Joint pain refers to discomfort, aches, and soreness in any of the body’s joints. Joint pain is a common complaint. It doesn’t typically require a hospital visit.

Sometimes, joint pain is the result of an illness or injury. Arthritis is also a common cause of joint pain. However, it can also be due to other conditions or factors.

What causes joint pain?

Joint pain can be caused by:

  • arthritis
  • bursitis, or inflammation of the cushioning pads around joints
  • lupus
  • gout
  • certain infectious diseases, such as mumps, influenza, and hepatitis
  • chondromalacia of the patella, or a breakdown of the cartilage in the kneecap
  • an injury
  • tendinitis, or inflammation of the tendon
  • an infection of the bone or joint
  • overuse of a joint
  • cancer
  • fibromyalgia
  • osteoporosis
  • sarcoidosis
  • rickets

Source: Healthline