Chronic joint pain (osteoarthritis and inflammatory arthritis)

What is Chronic Joint Pain?

Chronic joint pain is pain that involves the joints (such as knees, hips, shoulders, hands, spine) and lasts more than three months. It can be continuous or appear with movement, and it may worsen over time if not treated.

The main causes are:

Osteoarthritis – a degenerative disease caused by the wear and tear of joint cartilage
Inflammatory arthritis – such as rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, or psoriatic arthritis, where the immune system attacks the joints

What are the symptoms?

Persistent joint pain, worsened by activity or load
Morning stiffness or after rest
Joint swelling (in inflammatory forms)
Joint noises (crepitus) or limitation of movement
In advanced cases: joint deformities or instability

What is the Cause?

In the case of osteoarthritis, the problem is mechanical: the cartilage wears out, and the bones rub against each other.

In inflammatory arthritis, it is the immune system attacking the joint tissues, causing chronic inflammation, pain, and structural damage if untreated.

Factors that increase risk:

Age, genetic predisposition, overweight
Trauma or repeated microtrauma
Autoimmune or metabolic diseases

How is it Diagnosed?

Specialist clinical assessment
Imaging examinations, such as X-rays, joint ultrasounds, or MRI scans
If inflammatory arthritis is suspected, the patient may be referred to a rheumatologist for further investigation

What Treatments are Available?

The treatment is personalized and aims to:

Reduce pain
Improve mobility
Control inflammation
Prevent worsening

1. Pharmacological therapies

Anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs), analgesics
Disease-modifying drugs (DMARDs) for inflammatory arthritis
In some cases, corticosteroids or biologics (rheumatological prescription)

2. Targeted injections

Intra-articular injections of cortisone or hyaluronic acid
Regenerative therapies (e.g., PRP – platelet-rich plasma)
Radiofrequency of joint innervations (in advanced arthrosis)

3. Physiotherapy and therapeutic exercise

Muscle strengthening, stretching, and mobilization
Education on correct movement

4. Complementary therapies and support

TENS
Occupational therapy (especially in rheumatoid arthritis)
Psychological support, if chronic pain affects mood or sleep

What is the Prognosis?

With early and regular treatment, many patients achieve effective symptom control and can maintain a good quality of life. The goal is to improve functionality and minimize pain, even in chronic forms.

Lifestyle Interventions

Attività fisica (passeggiate, stretching), sonno regolare, alimentazione equilibrata e tecniche di riduzione dello stress possono migliorare la resilienza e potenziare l’efficacia delle terapie mediche.

Psychological Support

The management of chronic pain can be aided by psychological interventions (such as relaxation techniques or cognitive behavioral therapy), which help reduce anxiety, insomnia, and the impact of pain on quality of life.