Pain
Multiple Joint Pain: Causes and What It Can Mean
Key Takeaways Pain in several joints at once usually points to a form of arthritis, most often osteoarthritis, though inflammatory, crystal and viral causes are common. Symmetric swelling, morning stiffness lasting more than 30 minutes and body-wide symptoms all lean towards an inflammatory or systemic cause. A hot, red, severely painful joint, or joint pain…
See MoreSerious Joint Pain: Red Flags and When to See a Doctor
Key Takeaways A hot, swollen joint with a fever can be a sign of a joint infection, which is a medical emergency and needs same-day care. Severe pain, obvious deformity or a joint you cannot bear weight on after a fall may point to a fracture or dislocation. Pain that lasts beyond a few days,…
See MoreMy Knee Is Swollen and Sore: When Should I Worry?
Key Takeaways A knee that is hot and swollen with a fever, or one leg with calf swelling and pain, needs same-day or emergency assessment, not a wait-and-see approach. Swelling that balloons within an hour of an impact usually means blood in the joint and should be checked promptly. Most swollen knees settle within a…
See MoreInner Knee Pain and Why the Side of Your Knee Hurts
Key Takeaways The side your knee hurts on shortlists the cause, because the inner and outer knee hold different structures. Inner knee pain most often comes from the medial collateral ligament, the medial meniscus, medial compartment osteoarthritis, pes anserine bursitis or an irritated medial plica. Outer knee pain usually traces to the iliotibial band, the…
See MoreCan Losing 5 kg Change Your Knee Pain? The Load Maths and the Evidence
Key Takeaways Each kilogram lost takes about four times that off the knee per step, so a 5 kg loss removes a meaningful share of the daily load. Losing about 5% of body weight, near 5 kg for someone around 100 kg, is where research shows less pain and better function, with bigger gains beyond…
See MoreTraining Around Pain: A Load Management Guide for Cranky Joints
Key Takeaways Mild pain during exercise is not proof of damage, and a cranky joint usually needs its load adjusted, not removed. The main levers are training load, weekly volume, the range you work through, movement tempo and exercise choice, so most people can keep training in some form. A useful guide is discomfort staying…
See MoreHow Do I Keep My Joints Healthy After 50?
Key Takeaways Joint changes after 50 are common, but stiffness and pain are not inevitable, and much of your joint health stays within your control. Regular movement that blends strength, range-of-motion, low-impact cardio and balance work helps nourish cartilage and support the muscles around each joint. Everyday habits such as managing your weight, eating well…
See MoreDay Surgery Joint Replacement: Can You Go Home the Same Day?
Key Takeaways Same-day discharge after a joint replacement is possible for some carefully selected people, though staying a night or two is just as normal and often the sensible choice. Going home sooner is made possible by enhanced recovery protocols, modern anaesthesia, gentler surgical techniques, and getting you moving early. Suitability comes down to your…
See MoreWhat Does an Exercise Physiologist Actually Do for Joint Pain?
Key Takeaways An exercise physiologist prescribes movement as treatment, not general fitness, and is trained for painful joints and complex histories in ways a personal trainer is not. Well-judged movement, loading and strength usually help more than rest, since long periods of inactivity leave a joint stiffer and weaker. Care starts with a detailed assessment,…
See MorePhysio or Surgeon for Joint Pain: Who Should You See?
Key Takeaways Active, movement-based care helps most joint pain, so surgery is rarely the place to start. Physiotherapy and exercise physiology are first-line for many problems, including osteoarthritis, tendon issues, and sprains, in line with current Australian guidelines. An orthopaedic opinion makes sense when conservative care has not helped enough, or when an injury is…
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