Joint pain in your hip, knee, or shoulder can disrupt your daily routine, and while some discomfort may pass with rest or over-the-counter remedies, other symptoms shouldn’t be ignored. For active individuals, staying pain-free is a priority, but it can be hard to tell when joint pain signals something more serious.
If you’re unsure whether to see a specialist, here are 10 important signs that it may be time to get your pain evaluated by an orthopedic provider.
1. Pain That Persists for More Than a Few Days
Minor joint aches from a workout or long day on your feet typically improve within a few days. Pain that sticks around, especially if it’s been lingering for more than a week, may be a sign of an underlying issue such as osteoarthritis, a tendon injury, or cartilage damage.
Why it matters: According to the Mayo Clinic, persistent joint pain can be an early warning sign of conditions that worsen without treatment.
2. Swelling That Doesn’t Go Down
Swelling is your body’s natural response to injury, but prolonged or worsening swelling, particularly in the knee or shoulder, can signal internal joint damage or inflammation.
Watch for: Swelling accompanied by warmth or stiffness may indicate bursitis, a torn ligament, or inflammatory arthritis.
3. Joint Instability or Buckling
If your knee gives out while walking or your shoulder feels like it might pop out of place, don’t ignore it! These are classic signs of joint instability and may be due to a ligament injury like an ACL tear in the knee or a rotator cuff tear in the shoulder.
Pro tip: If you have questions, they are best diagnosed by an orthopedic expert. Take the Vitruvy assessment today to skip the line and get access to an expert fast.
4. Limited Range of Motion
If you can’t fully extend your knee, lift your arm overhead, or rotate your hip without discomfort, it’s a sign your joint function may be compromised. This could be due to inflammation, structural damage, or progressive arthritis.
Don’t push through it: Loss of motion can be a symptom of several chronic joint issues, including frozen shoulder and advanced osteoarthritis.
5. Pain That Wakes You Up at Night
Discomfort that interferes with sleep is a red flag. Night pain is commonly associated with more serious joint conditions, including advanced arthritis, bursitis, or even joint infections.
Be aware: The NIH notes that night pain is a key symptom in inflammatory types of arthritis and can also occur in joint degeneration.
6. Clicking, Popping, or Grinding Sounds
Occasional joint noises are normal, but if they’re accompanied by pain, swelling, or weakness, they may indicate damage to cartilage or soft tissues.
Especially in the knee or shoulder: These joints are prone to meniscus tears or labral injuries, which often present with mechanical symptoms like grinding or catching.
7. Joint Pain Following an Injury
If your pain started after a fall, sports injury, or accident, it’s wise to have it checked, even if it seemed minor. Tears, fractures, and dislocations can be missed without imaging.
Important to note: According to the AAOS, timely diagnosis of injuries like rotator cuff or ACL tears leads to better outcomes and faster recovery.
8. Heat and Redness Around the Joint
Heat and redness around a joint can be signs of infection or severe inflammation. While rare, septic arthritis is a medical emergency that requires immediate attention.
What to do: The Mayo Clinic warns that redness, warmth, fever, and severe pain in a joint should be taken seriously.
9. Pain That Interferes with Daily Activities
If you’re adjusting how you walk, avoiding stairs, or struggling to reach overhead due to discomfort, it’s a sign your joint pain is affecting your quality of life.
Time to act: Any type of degenerative joint disease can progress gradually. However, early treatment may help preserve mobility and delay or avoid surgery.
10. You’ve Tried On Your Own, But Are Still In Pain
If ice, heat, over-the-counter pain relievers, and activity modification haven’t helped after several days, it’s time to talk to a specialist. Conservative treatments should improve minor injuries; if they don’t, it’s a sign of something more complex.
Next steps: A physical exam, diagnostic imaging, or referral to an orthopedic specialist may help determine the root cause and best course of action.
When to See an Orthopedic Specialist
Joint pain in the hip, knee, or shoulder is common, but it shouldn’t be ignored if it interferes with your life, especially if it shows any of the warning signs above. Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent long-term damage and help you get back to doing what you love.
Whether you’re managing an old sports injury or noticing new signs of arthritis, it pays to listen to your joints. At Vitruvy, we help you skip the line and talk to an expert faster. Take our assessment to be matched with a local orthopedic expert in your area and start feeling better, faster.
