Joint pain (especially in large joints like the knees, shoulders, hips, and elbows) is one of the most common reasons patients seek pain management care. These joints carry your body weight and allow you to bend, rotate, stand, sit, and move comfortably. When they hurt, daily life becomes difficult very quickly.
While many people assume joint pain is caused by an injury or arthritis, that’s not always the case. In fact, joint pain can be a symptom of a much broader underlying condition, some of which are unexpected.
At The PainSmith, our San Antonio pain management specialist frequently evaluates patients whose joint pain has no obvious cause. Below, Dr. Smith outlines both common and surprising causes of joint pain, and when it’s time to seek expert care.
Common Causes of Joint Pain
Most joint pain diagnoses fall into well-recognized categories. These conditions typically have clear diagnostic criteria and established treatment options.
A degenerative “wear-and-tear” form of arthritis that occurs as cartilage breaks down over time. It commonly affects the knees, hips, hands, and spine.
Tendinitis
Inflammation of the tendons that connect muscle to bone. Often caused by overuse, repetitive motion, or age-related loss of elasticity, tendinitis frequently affects the shoulder, elbow, knee, and Achilles tendon.
Bursitis
Painful swelling of a bursa, the small fluid-filled sacs that cushion joints. Bursitis often develops in joints subjected to repeated pressure or motion, including the shoulder, hip, elbow, and knee.
Treatment for these conditions often includes medication, rest, physical therapy, injections, or, in more severe cases, surgical intervention.
Uncommon (and Surprising) Causes of Joint Pain
When common diagnoses don’t explain persistent joint pain, physicians must look deeper. In many cases, joint pain is a secondary symptom of another medical condition.
Autoimmune Diseases
Autoimmune disorders occur when the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue, often leading to chronic inflammation.
- Lupus – Causes widespread inflammation, joint pain, fatigue, and organ involvement
- Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) – Attacks the lining of joints, leading to pain, swelling, and joint deformity
- Psoriatic Arthritis – Associated with psoriasis; causes joint swelling and stiffness
- Gout – Uric acid crystals accumulate in joints, commonly starting in the big toe
- Scleroderma – Excess collagen production leads to skin thickening and joint pain
- Sjögren’s Syndrome – Primarily affects moisture-producing glands but often causes joint pain as well
Infections That Cause Joint Pain
Some viral and bacterial infections can trigger inflammatory joint pain, even after the infection resolves.
- Influenza – Your immune system working to fight the infection can lead you inflammation, causing painful or “achy” joints.
- COVID-19 – Similar to the flu, COVID-19 can cause joint pain due to inflammation in the acute stage of the disease. However, for some people, joint pain persists as a long-term symptom of COVID-19.
- Hepatitis B and C – As the body tries to destroy and clear the virus, the immune system activates, which can cause joint inflammation and pain.
- HIV – Individuals with HIV may experience joint pain due to:
- The infection itself can cause initial flu-like symptoms, which can result in joint pain and discomfort.
- Living with HIV can increase the risk of developing arthritis.
- Medications for HIV or other conditions that may cause aches and pains.
- Lyme Disease – A tick-borne illness that presents with joint pain and swelling. Left untreated, Lyme disease results in chronic arthritis with severe joint pain and swelling, particularly in the knees and other large joints.
- Gonorrhea – A sexually transmitted disease that if left untreated, you can cause you to develop gonococcal arthritis.
Metabolic and Hormonal Issues
- Vitamin D or Calcium Deficiency – Weakens bones and joint support structures
- Hypothyroidism – Slows tissue repair and contributes to stiffness and pain
- Hormonal changes – Menopause-related shifts can accelerate joint degeneration
- Weight changes – Rapid or excessive weight gain increases joint stress and may signal another underlying condition
Cancer-Related Joint Pain
Certain cancers, particularly bone cancer, can cause joint pain. Additionally, chemotherapy, radiation, and hormone therapies may produce musculoskeletal pain as a side effect.
When to See a Pain Management Specialist in San Antonio
If you have joint pain that:
- Persists for weeks or months
- Worsens despite rest or medication
- Affects multiple joints
- Is accompanied by fatigue, fever, or swelling
…you should consider being evaluated by a specialist.
Identifying the true source of joint pain is essential for effective treatment. At The PainSmith, we take a comprehensive approach, looking beyond surface-level symptoms to diagnose and treat the root cause.
Schedule a Joint Pain Evaluation
If you’re experiencing unexplained joint pain in San Antonio or the surrounding areas, a Pain Management specialist can help identify the cause of your pain and design a customized treatment plan to help you manage it.
At The PainSmith, we help patients throughout San Antonio, Stone Oak, and surrounding communities diagnose and manage back pain, knee pain, or other joint pain with personalized treatment plans. Give us a call, or you can request a consultation, and we’ll discuss your options.