What Causes Severe Swelling And Pain In Joints?

Posted on Tue, 26 Jan 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Tue, 26 Jan 2016 Answered on

Fri, 11 Mar 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : I have had unexplained swelling and severe pain in almost all of my joints and at different times. What do I have?

Answered by Dr. Aashish Raghu (-4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Polyarthritis. Needs further evaluation and specific treatment

Detailed Answer:
Hi there.

Kindly answer my queries for me to be in a better position to help you.

Could you tell me your age and gender?

Do you get fleeting joint pains or pain in most of the joints at once?

Are the small joints of your hands involved symmetrically?

According to your history you have Polyarthralgia. This could be narrowed down to different types of arthritis like Rheumatoid arthritis, Gout, Seronegative spondarthritis etc.

Women in their 40s are prone to Rheumatoid arthritis commonly where the small joints of the hands are involved bilaterally symmetrically.

You need to get a few tests done like Compete blood count, Rheumatoid factor, Anti-CCP, Serum Uric acid, CRP, Anti-DsDNA. this could help narrow down the cause of the arthritis and specific treatment can be started. Also do get xrays of the involved joints.

For now you can apply hot packs or cold packs in the painful joints, whichever gives you best relief, three times a day. Take Tablet Ibuprofen 400mg twice a day for 5 days after meals and Tablet Ranitidine 150mg twice a day for 5 days before meals. Avoid heavy work and anything that stresses your joints.

Do follow up with me on your progress.

I hope I have answered your query.

I will be available to answer your follow up queries.

Thanks and regards.

Dr. Aashish Raghu

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Sonia Raina