Follow prescribed therapy in treating the underlying cause.

For nonarthritis joint pain, both rest and exercise are important. Warm baths, massage and stretching exercises should be used as frequently as possible.

Anti-inflammatory medications may help relieve pain and swelling. (Consult your health care provider before giving aspirin or NSAIDs such as ibruprofen to children.)

• Fever is not associated with flu symptoms
• You have involuntary weight loss of 10 pounds or more
• The joint pain persists beyond 3 days
• You have severe, unexplained joint pain especially if accompanied by other unexplained symptoms

• Location
  • Where is the pain?
  • Which joint hurts?
  • Is the pain on one side or both sides?
• Time pattern
  • How long have you been having this pain?
  • Have you had this pain before?
  • Did this pain begin suddenly and severely or slowly and mildly?
  • Does the pain recur?
  • Has the pain become more severe?
  • Is the pain constant or does it come and go?
• Aggravating factors
  • What started your pain?
  • Have you injured your joint?
  • Have you had repeated injuries?
  • Have you had an illness? Fever?
  • What makes the pain worse?
    • Does moving the joint make the pain worse?
    • Does resting the joint make the pain worse?
• Relieving factors
  • Does resting the joint reduce the pain?
  • Does moving the joint reduce the pain?
  • Are certain positions comfortable?
  • Does keeping the joint elevated help?
  • Do medications reduce the pain?
  • Does massage help?
  • Does applying heat help?
• Other
  • What other symptoms do you have?
  • Is the joint swollen or red or tender to touch?
  • Is there any numbness?
  • Can you bend and straighten the joint?
  • Does the joint feel stiff?
  • Does movement cause pain?
  • Can you use the joint for normal activities?

• Blood studies
  • CBC
  • Blood differential
• Joint X-ray

Physical therapy for muscle and joint rehabilitation may be recommended.