Waking up with joint pain can be alarming. Whether the pain jolts you from your sleep in the night or greets you in the morning, the sensation is cause for investigation, but not necessarily concern.
What Conditions Cause Nighttime Pain?
Orthopedic surgeon Mark Hagy, MD, said nighttime joint pain is a common complaint among older patients.
Some common causes of nighttime joint pain include:
- Arthritis – osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and gouty arthritis
- Muscle strain
- Radiating pain – pain originating in another part of the body, such as the back or neck
- Poor sleep posture – sleeping in a position that disrupts the natural alignment of the spine (such as on your stomach with your neck twisted to the side)
A non-orthopedic cause of joint pain can be a decrease in cortisol, as the level of this anti-inflammatory hormone is naturally lower while we sleep.
Arthritis is commonly behind older individuals experiencing nighttime hip, groin or knee pain. Arthritis is the loss of cartilage in a joint, which leads to stiffness, pain or swelling due to inflammation in the joint. Older age and a family history of arthritis are among the risk factors.
Restless leg syndrome and cramping are also common, according to Hagy. Restless leg syndrome is a neurological condition characterized by an urge to move the legs and a tingling or aching sensation. While restless leg syndrome does not directly cause joint pain, the two conditions may accompany each other.
For individuals who are weekend warriors, participating in strenuous activity — such as training for a marathon — or suddenly starting to exercise after a period of little exercise, nighttime pain may likely be due to muscle strain.
What Should Be Done About Nighttime Joint Pain?
The first step to addressing nighttime joint pain is using at-home remedies. Hagy suggested the following:
- Take recommended amount of ibuprofen, Aleve or Tylenol
- Apply heat or ice to the area
- Rest
- Elevate the body part experiencing pain
When to See a Provider
The next step is to visit a primary care provider for evaluation. Physical therapy or additional over-the-counter medications may then be recommended.
It is more practical and cost effective to first try home remedies and visit a primary care provider as many common issues can be resolved at that stage without the need for a consultation with a specialist or surgeon.
If pain persists, an orthopedic specialist can offer further conservative, nonsurgical options for reducing pain such as injections, physical therapy and prescription medication.
Because joint pain often has a cause that’s unrelated to disease, there is no set timeline for seeking consultation.
“When someone seeks assistance really depends on the patient and their primary care provider, along with how long they’re willing to cope with the pain before they engage an orthopedic surgeon,” Hagy said.
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