For advice on how to keep young soccer players on the field throughout the season, we reached out to David Porter, M.D., a fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon who specializes in sports medicine. A keen athlete himself, Dr. Porter has spent the last three years working with local high school athletes, and a number of young soccer players are among his patients.

“On top of the general bump injuries due to the physical nature of the sport, the most common injuries I see among young soccer players are ACL injuries,” Dr. Porter explains.

“If athletes practice a few guidelines to get themselves ready for the season, they’re much less likely to get injured. My overall advice to parents and players is to focus on injury prevention, especially prevention of ACL injuries – plus ankle sprains and meniscus tears, which are the two other common injuries I see.”

Tips to Prevent Injuries

• Stretching: Stretching and warm-ups are extremely important. Soccer requires players to aggressively twist and pivot, so failing to warm up appropriately increases the risk that these in-game maneuvers will end up causing an injury.
• Strengthening supporting muscles: Increasing the strength of the supporting muscles that surround the knee will help prevent injuries. Functional core strength is also extremely important, especially with multidirectional athletes.
• Work on improving balance: Core exercises help boost an athlete’s balance, and improve their overall health, fitness and athletic performance.

Don’t Ignore Signs & Symptoms

• Changes in mobility. If an injury results in difficulty walking, it’s a red flag and should be evaluated by a physician.
• Look for bruises and discoloration. If significant bruising or discoloration occurs at the site of the injury, it’s another red flag which indicates you should have the injury examined and treated by a physician.
• Better safe than sorry. While many minor sports injuries resolve in a short time with rest and icing, an expert opinion is sometimes beneficial. Injuries that last more than 3-5 days, get gradually worse, or repeat injuries of the same location should be evaluated by a physician.

General Tips for Soccer Season

• R.I.C.E. can help: When you experience an injury, practice R.I.C.E., which stands for Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation.These are standard methods used to treat most sports injuries.
• Physical therapy aids recovery: Physical therapy is proven to help speed up recovery, and can improve strength and range of motion after an accident. When faced with sports injuries, don’t ignore recommendations to seek physical therapy.
• Eat and sleep like an athlete: Getting a good eight hours of sleep, in addition to eating a well-balanced diet with essential vitamins and nutrients, will help prevent some sports injuries, and can help speed up recovery.

Next Steps & Resources:

• Meet our source: David A. Porter M.D.
• To make an appointment with Dr. Porter, or a doctor near you, call 800-822-8905 or visit our website.

• How to Prevent Knee Pain While Running
• Getting Back on Track After a Sports Injury
• When to Apply Ice Vs. Heat Packs

The material provided through HealthU is intended to be used as general information only and should not replace the advice of your physician. Always consult your physician for individual care.

The post Safety Tips for Soccer Season appeared first on Hackensack Meridian Health.

“Patients often ask why they continue to have some joint pain after completing a new exercise program,” says Stephen G. Silver, M.D., a board-certified orthopedic surgeon specializing in arthroscopic treatment of the shoulder, knee, and elbow. “I tell them exercise is only half the battle. As somebody who specializes in treating joint pain, I’ve certainly come to recognize how patients can help themselves out by changing their diet.

Your diet may also help to minimize joint pain, in part because a healthy diet may contribute to weight loss, but also because certain foods help fight inflammation, which can exacerbate joint pain.

There’s no such thing as an “arthritis diet,” according to the Arthritis Foundation, but you may notice less pain if you eat a variety of fruits, vegetables and healthy protein sources while limiting your intake of sugar, processed foods and saturated fats.

Bulking up on protein isn’t recommended for people with arthritis-related joint pain, but including certain protein-rich foods in your diet may help to relieve some of your discomfort. Other protein-rich foods may not be as ideal.

To ease chronic joint pain, consider these protein-rich foods:

• Fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Omega 3’s have been research-proven to reduce inflammation, so including omega-3-rich fish in your diet may lead to less inflammation-related joint pain over time. Try eating salmon, tuna, sardines, trout or mackerel at least twice a week.
• Nuts. Almonds, walnuts and other nuts are high in protein, fiber and healthy fats, and they’ve also been shown to fight inflammation in the body. Choose unsalted, unsweetened varieties, rather than smoked, honey-roasted or chocolate-covered options.
• Beans. They’re rich in antioxidants, which may help to lower inflammation. Beans are also high in fiber, which is helpful if you’re trying to lose weight; fiber helps you feel full for longer periods, encouraging you to eat less often.
• Dairy products (for some people). There are advantages to consuming low-fat dairy products, which are rich in protein, calcium, vitamin D and other nutrients. Some people experience inflammation and joint pain when they eat dairy, while others don’t. If you have joint pain, try an elimination diet with your doctor’s assistance to see if dairy products are linked to your discomfort. If they aren’t, you can continue to enjoy them.

Consider limiting these protein-rich foods if you’re trying to relieve joint pain:

• Red meat. Foods that are high in saturated fat, such as beef, may cause inflammation in the body, which can lead to joint pain. Consider other options when you’re choosing what to eat with your joint pain in mind – especially if you cook your steak with butter, another food that’s high in saturated fat.
• Dairy products (for some people). Because dairy products may cause inflammation and joint pain in some people, it’s best to limit or avoid them if you’ve confirmed that they’re triggering your discomfort. Don’t avoid low-fat dairy products without asking your doctor for help; try an elimination diet first.
• Gluten. The term “gluten” may make you think of bread, but it’s actually a protein found in wheat, rye and barley. People with celiac disease – an autoimmune condition that causes intestinal damage when people consume gluten – must avoid gluten-containing foods. Joint pain may be a symptom of celiac disease, which can be underdiagnosed; some people with joint pain may not realize that they have the condition. (Additionally, people with rheumatoid arthritis are at increased risk of celiac disease.) There isn’t a direct link between gluten consumption and osteoarthritis, but many people feel better on a gluten-free diet. Ask your doctor if you should try a gluten elimination diet.

Next Steps & Resources:

• Meet our source: Stephen G. Silver, M.D.
• To make an appointment with Dr. Silver, or a doctor near you, call 800-822-8905 or visit our website.

The material provided through HealthU is intended to be used as general information only and should not replace the advice of your physician. Always consult your physician for individual care.

The post Can Protein Help with Joint Pain? appeared first on Hackensack Meridian Health.

Orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist Kenneth G. Swan, M.D., breaks down what you need to know.

Q: How do cortisone shots work?

A: Cortisone is a powerful and focused inflammatory medication. When an injury or medical condition includes swelling, cortisone shots can provide intense, localized relief without the full-body exposure to medications that over-the-counter products like aspirin and ibuprofen can cause.

Q: How long before you get relief from pain?

A: Cortisone can take up to several days to provide relief. Because of that, Dr. Swan and other physicians often include a local anesthetic in the shot to provide immediate relief until the cortisone kicks in.

Q: How long does the relief last?

A: The relief provided by the cortisone can last anywhere from a few weeks to a lifetime.

Q: What are the possible side effects of cortisone shots?

A: While cartilage damage, bone death, joint infection and nerve damage are possible, if the shot is done by an experienced doctor, those complications are exceedingly rare. More common, but still rare, side effects can include temporary facial flushing, a temporary flare of pain and inflammation in the joint, temporary skin lightening when the shot is near the surface and the person has darker skin tones. In addition, a temporary increase in blood sugar can occur, especially in patients who have poorly controlled diabetes.

Q: Do cortisone shots work for everyone? 

A: Some patients respond better than others, and in some cases, there is no noticeable improvement from the treatment.

Q: Do you have to be a certain age to get cortisone shots?

A: Younger people and children will often heal without these shots, so cortisone is probably not an appropriate way to get them back into sports before they heal. Older patients who are not a candidate for surgical treatment of their injury or chronic condition may benefit from one or a series of shots.

Q: Do cortisone shots hurt? 

A: Shots in small joints like fingers and feet can be quite painful; shots in knees, shoulders and hips are much less so. Your doctor has topical treatments that can be used to minimize discomfort.

Q: After an injury, should I get a cortisone shot right away?

A: A lot of things get better within a couple of weeks on their own. If you are in pain, give it a few weeks to heal on its own. If you are in a lot of pain, consult your doctor about what treatment options are the best for this situation.

Next Steps & Resources:

• Meet our source: Kenneth G. Swan, M.D. To make an appointment with Dr. Swan or another doctor near you, call 800-822-8905 or visit our website.
• Learn more about care after a sports injury
• Do over-the-counter knee braces really work?
• Getting back on track after a sports injury

The material provided through HealthU is intended to be used as general information only and should not replace the advice of your physician. Always consult your physician for individual care.

The post Are Cortisone Shots Bad for You? appeared first on Hackensack Meridian Health.

Having had a previous break won’t protect you from breaking the same bone again, if you happen to experience trauma to the same body part. Once your broken bone heals fully, it should be just as strong as the rest of your bones, so you won’t be more or less likely to break it than another bone.

What happens when your bone breaks

After you break a bone, your body begins the healing process. At first, a blood clot forms at the site, which protects the injured spot. Then, within days, a special callus forms at the break, which gradually helps to reconnect the broken edges of bone.

Initially, the callus is soft and made of collagen, but over time, it becomes harder, due to calcium deposits that arrive to mend the bone. New cells form at the fracture site, connecting the broken pieces together again. Once the bone reconnects, the callus breaks down, so that the bone retains its original shape.

Why the break site is briefly stronger than surrounding bone

A doctor should put you in a cast to keep you immobilized while your bone is healing. Because you aren’t using the injured body part while it’s in a cast, the bone becomes weaker. (If you’ve ever seen someone’s arms side-by-side after one arm was removed from a cast, you know that the unused arm temporarily atrophies due to lack of use.)

At the same time, the fracture site is being fortified with calcium deposits and building itself back up. For this brief period of time, the calcium-fortified region of bone may be stronger than the surrounding healthy bone, which has weakened due to lack of use.

Ways that you can strengthen your bones

There are more reliable ways to strengthen your bones than waiting for a broken bone to heal. Try adopting these healthy habits to help keep your bones healthy:

• Eat calcium-rich foods. Include cheese and other dairy products; green vegetables, like kale and broccoli; and fortified foods and beverages, like cereal and orange juice in your diet. The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for calcium is 1,000 mg for women up to age 50 and men up to age 70; then, the RDA increases to 1,200 mg.
• Eat foods rich in vitamin D. This vitamin helps your body better absorb calcium. Fish like salmon or trout is an excellent source of vitamin D, and some foods and beverages are fortified with the vitamin. The RDA is 15 mcg (600 IU) for adults up to age 70; then, the RDA increases to 20 mcg (800 IU).
• Exercise regularly. Weight-bearing exercise is best if you’re able, such as running, walking, stair-climbing, dancing, hiking or lifting weights.
• Quit smoking. Smoking has been associated with weaker bones, and quitting will improve your health in immeasurable ways.
• Limit your alcohol intake. When women have more than one drink per day or men have more than two drinks per day, it increases the risk of osteoporosis.
• Ask your doctor if you need supplements. If your diet isn’t rich in calcium and/or vitamin D, your doctor may suggest that you take daily supplements to boost your intake of these nutrients.

Next Steps & Resources:

• Meet our source: Michael Lu, M.D.
• To make an appointment with Dr. Lu or a doctor near you, call 800-822-8905 or visit our website.

The material provided through HealthU is intended to be used as general information only and should not replace the advice of your physician. Always consult your physician for individual care.

The post Do Broken Bones Heal Stronger? appeared first on Hackensack Meridian Health.

To ward off running-related knee pain or minimize discomfort when it strikes, try these ideas:

• Stretch before your runs. When you stretch your quadriceps (quads), hamstrings and calf muscles before running, it helps to strengthen the muscles in your legs, which takes some pressure off of your knees. For best results, hold your stretches for about 30 seconds, rather than going through the motions more quickly.
• Strengthen your leg muscles. Building up your quads and hamstrings helps to support your knees and may help to lower your risk of knee pain. Incorporate squats, lunges and more into your daily warmup, and you may notice a difference.
• Walk, bike or swim on alternate days. When you cross-train, you use your joints and muscles differently, which gives your body a break from the daily rigors of running. Consider running every other day, mixing it up with other forms of heart-pumping exercise in between.
• Build up your mileage gradually. Increase your time and/or distance a bit at a time, rather than striving to add miles onto each run. If you push yourself too far, you may overdo it and hurt yourself.
• Ice your knees after runs. The cold should help to reduce any pain, swelling and inflammation that you may experience. Wrap your ice pack in a paper towel or thin cloth so that the ice doesn’t make direct contact with your skin, and remove it after 15 or 20 minutes. You can reapply the ice periodically, once your skin has warmed up again.
• Use anti-inflammatory medication as needed. Over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can alleviate pain and reduce inflammation, providing much-needed relief. Taking medication for up to a week may help your knees feel better.
• Consider taking certain dietary supplements. The supplements glucosamine and chondroitin may ease knee pain. They may also help to increase the amount of cartilage in the knees, although more research is needed. The supplements aren’t associated with serious side effects, so they may be worth trying.

If you notice knee pain develop, take a break from running for a few days to allow yourself to heal. Within a week, if things don’t improve, make an appointment with your doctor to determine the cause of your knee pain.

“Sometimes, knee pain may be a sign of inflammation, which may resolve on its own or with the help of physical therapy, but other times, you may have structural damage – a tear, arthritis or another problem which may require a higher level of medical intervention, including surgery,” says Alexander P. Russoniello, M.D., a hip and knee orthopedic surgery specialist at JFK University Medical Center. “A trained orthopedic surgeon can determine the cause of your knee pain and offer you a plan of action to get you running again.”

Next Steps & Resources:

• Meet our source: Alexander P. Russoniello, M.D.
• To make an appointment with Dr. Russoniello, or a doctor near you, call 800-822-8905 or visit our website.

The material provided through HealthU is intended to be used as general information only and should not replace the advice of your physician. Always consult your physician for individual care.

The post How to Prevent Knee Pain While Running appeared first on Hackensack Meridian Health.

“There are plenty of things that can be done remotely,” says Cristobal Beiro, M.D., an orthopedic surgeon at Raritan Bay Medical Center. This is especially important for patients who don’t have transportation to a physical therapy office or for those who still have misgivings about leaving their house during the pandemic.

Benefits of Virtual Physical Therapy

The benefits of virtual physical therapy include:

• You work with a licensed physical therapist.
• You can receive the care you need while eliminating your risk of COVID-19.
• You don’t have to wear a mask because you’re in your own home.
• It’s convenient. If your injury prevents you from driving, you don’t have to worry about finding a ride or fighting traffic.

While most insurance plans cover telehealth physical therapy, check with yours on the rules. Some require you to schedule an initial in-person visit. You’ll also want to ask about your co-pay and/or co-insurance so you don’t get hit with any surprises down the line.

Get the Most from Telehealth

To get the most from your virtual appointment:

• Make sure you have a computer, phone or other device to get on the internet, as well as a reliable internet connection.
• Choose a spot that allows you enough space to lie down, walk around and stretch in full.
• You’ll also want enough privacy so you feel comfortable sharing information freely with your therapist. You may prefer a separate room with a door, so spouses, kids or pets won’t distract you.
• Dress in clothing comfortable enough so you can move, but snug enough so your physical therapist can evaluate your movements. Clothes like yoga pants and short-sleeves or tank tops work well.
• Get the proper gear. Speak to your therapist about borrowing equipment you can use at home. You can also sub in household items like soup cans or water bottles for weights, or you can buy a set of inexpensive resistance bands.
• Tell your therapist how your body feels before, during and after sessions. If anything hurts or feels uncomfortable, don’t be afraid to speak up. Your therapist can often modify the exercise so you can do it without pain. “As long as you use proper form, the risk of injury is low,” says Dr. Beiro.

Next Steps & Resources:

• Learn more about orthopedic care at Hackensack Meridian Health
• Meet our source: Cristobal Beiro, M.D. To make an appointment with Dr. Beiro or another doctor near you, call 800-822-8905 or visit our website.
• Want to reduce fracture risk? Consider your diet
• 9 common myths about physical therapy

The material provided through HealthU is intended to be used as general information only and should not replace the advice of your physician. Always consult your physician for individual care.

The post Is Virtual Physical Therapy Really Possible? appeared first on Hackensack Meridian Health.

A complex structure of bones, cartilage, ligaments, nervous tissue and muscle, the spine keeps the body upright. It also protects the spinal cord, which is part of the central nervous system that joins the brain to the rest of the body, creating an electrical superhighway that enables breathing; digestive, bladder and sexual function; sensation; and movement. Without a strong, healthy spine, the body simply doesn’t work.

Because the spine is so important, protecting it is vital, says neurologist Florian P. Thomas, M.D., Ph.D., chair of the Department of Neurology and Neuroscience Institute atHackensack University Medical Center and at Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine.

Dr. Thomas says you can optimize you spine health by:

• Building core strength: Although few people will ever endure a spinal cord injury, most individuals at some point will experience neck or back pain as a result of spinal strain or instability. One of the best remedies against this is exercise—strength training, in particular. “One of the biggest sources of back pain is lack of trunk strength, whether it’s your glutes, your abdominal muscles or your back muscles. So exercising the trunk is really important,” Dr. Thomas says. “Maintaining strength is essential throughout life. Many older people develop frailty, which is a bad prognosis sign in general.”
• Maintaining a healthy weight: Obesity can be another major source of spine pain. “It changes your body mechanics because there’s more weight that hangs on your muscles, bones and ligaments,” Dr. Thomas explains. “If you have a large gut, especially, it moves your center of gravity forward, and that’s unhealthy for your spine.”
• Stopping smoking: You know that smoking is bad for your health, but you probably never realized that it’s bad for your spine. “Although we’re not quite sure why, there’s increasing evidence that back pain is more common in smokers,” Dr. Thomas says.
• Minding your medications: Especially for older adults, a common cause of injuries to the spine and spinal cord is falls, and a common cause of falls is medication—in particular, medications that cause drowsiness, dizziness or brain fog, like sleep aids, anxiety medications, opioids or antihistamines. “If you take antihistamines, you have to be very careful, especially if you’re elderly, because they interfere with certain neurotransmitters that our brain needs for thinking, remembering and coordination,” Dr. Thomas says. “One should not take those medications habitually.”
• Fall-proofing your home: You also can prevent spine-threatening falls by cleaning and in some cases modifying your home. “Area rugs, pets and children’s toys are all problematic,” explains Dr. Thomas, who recommends installing night lights so you don’t trip over things in the middle of the night. Because bathrooms are especially hazardous, you might consider installing grab bars in your shower and next to your toilet.
• Wearing a helmet: Although it won’t help your spine, wearing a helmet during risky recreational activities can mitigate damage from spinal cord injuries. “Unfortunately, spinal cord injury and traumatic brain injury often go hand in hand,” Dr. Thomas says. “When they’re combined, a person who might have lived well despite a spinal cord injury may lack the cognitive ability to do so.”
• Avoiding unnecessary risks: Riding a motorcycle. Downhill skiing. Bicycling. Horseback riding. Snowmobiling. Gymnastics. Diving. These are just a few of the many activities that can cause spinal cord injuries. Whether to participate in them is up to you. “Just being out and about has some intrinsic dangers to it,” Dr. Thomas says. “Every person needs to make their own risk assessment and decide for themselves what compromises they’re willing to make to live in the world.”

Next Steps & Resources:

• Meet our source:Florian P. Thomas, M.D., Ph.D.
• Learn more about the Department of Neurology andNeuroscience Institute atHackensack University Medical Center
• What to know about rehabilitation after a brain injury
• Getting back on track after a sports injury

The material provided through HealthU is intended to be used as general information only and should not replace the advice of your physician. Always consult your physician for individual care.

The post 7 Things You Can Do to Protect Your Spine appeared first on Hackensack Meridian Health.

Whether you walk into a drugstore or browse online, you’re likely to find a range of knee braces for sale ranging from $10 to $100 or more. These over-the-counter devices run the gamut from soft to rigid:

• “Stabilizers” to limit movement of the kneecap
• “Sleeves” that compress and support the joint
• “Unloaders” that shift the knee’s weight-bearing force away from affected sides

Choosing the right brace for you—if a brace would actually provide any benefit—depends greatly on the cause of your knee pain, Dr. Van Dien says. Bracing is also considered a short-term stop-gap method to stabilize the joint, but not a long-term fix.

“In a general sense, a brace might aid with temporary structural support to the knee. Doing this might help reduce your pain. With less pain, you may be more functional,” he says. “But there are braces you can buy over the counter that may be inappropriate for your knee issue and consequently not offer much benefit. You may actually need a prescription brace.”

Understanding What’s Causing Your Knee Pain

Just because it’s easy to buy an over-the-counter brace doesn’t mean you should self-diagnose your knee problem, Dr. Van Dien says. Pinpointing your condition is key to addressing the underlying cause of knee pain or deterioration.

Your doctor may use a variety of techniques and tests to accurately diagnose your knee problem, ranging from a physical exam to imaging scans and more.

“The biggest piece of advice I could give is, prior to buying a brace, ask a musculoskeletal sports rehabilitation doctor or your primary care doctor for input on what’s actually going on,” Dr. Van Dien says. “Knee braces can be costly, and it’s best to have a clear diagnosis before you buy one because the brace may offer no benefit.”

Next Steps & Resources:

• Meet our source: Craig Van Dien, M.D. To make an appointment with Dr. Van Dien or another doctor near you, call 800-822-8905 or visit our website.
• Learn about the Center for Sports and Spine Medicine at JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute
• How to relieve knee pain triggered by everyday activities
• Getting back on track after a sports injury

The material provided through HealthU is intended to be used as general information only and should not replace the advice of your physician. Always consult your physician for individual care.

The post Do Over-the-Counter Knee Braces Help? appeared first on Hackensack Meridian Health.

Lying down can put strain on our hips in a few ways:

• If you sleep on your side, you are applying direct force to the hip that is down.
• The hip that is raised can pull down on tendons and muscle.
• Even sleeping on your back can cause awkward stress on your pelvis.

“Any kind of pain at rest is not normal and is a sign of injury or illness,” says Jeffrey Charen, M.D., an orthopedic surgeon at JFK University Medical Center and Raritan Bay Medical Center . “If you are experiencing persistent pain while resting, it’s time to get help from your doctor.”

Signs that you may have a hip problem usually begins well before bedtime. Issues often exist as pain when you rotate the hip, pain in the groin that radiates into the thigh or buttocks, pain while walking, difficulty putting on socks and shoes, and pain when you stand up and start walking. If you experience pain in your hip that gets worse at bedtime, one of a few common conditions could be the culprit.

Arthritis

As we age, our chances of developing arthritis increase. So if you are over age 45—but especially if you are over age 60—arthritis could be the cause of your hip pain. “Arthritis is a broad term used to describe the deterioration of joints from a variety of causes, including disease and wear and tear,” says Dr. Charen. “Over-the-counter treatment may only provide symptom relief, so talk to your doctor about other treatment options.”

Tendinitis

If you are under 45 years old, it’s less likely that arthritis is causing your pain. You could be suffering from tendinitis—the inflammation of a tendon—which is usually felt near a joint. Lower back pain can commonly show up as hip pain. Some people develop this condition from overuse in recreational activities or even in the workplace. “Tendinitis can usually be treated with rest, stretching, strengthening exercises and precautions to prevent reinjury,” says Dr. Charen. If these measures don’t provide relief, your doctor can suggest other therapies or surgery if necessary.

Bursitis

Like tendinitis, bursitis is an inflammatory condition usually caused by overuse. It affects small sacs of fluid that cushion joints. “Bursitis usually goes away on its own with rest,” says Dr. Charen. “But if it persists, talk to your doctor. You may find relief from medication, surgery, assistive devices or therapy.”

Tight Muscles

The muscles and bones of our body are connected. Pain in your hip could be caused by tight muscles in your back, buttocks, legs and abdomen. If these muscles are tense, they can pull on bones like your thigh bone, which can cause discomfort. Light stretching can typically relieve tension.

Next Steps & Resources:

• Meet our source: Jeffrey Charen, M.D.
• See how our orthopedic experts are committed to helping you maintain optimal health
• How to relieve knee pain triggered by everyday activities
• Getting back on track after a sports injury

The material provided through HealthU is intended to be used as general information only and should not replace the advice of your physician. Always consult your physician for individual care.

The post What Causes Hip Pain at Night? appeared first on Hackensack Meridian Health.

“As more people are infected with the novel coronavirus and recover, more is known about the different ways it affects the human body,” says Ahmed Siddiqi, D.O., an adult reconstruction orthopedic surgeon at Jersey Shore University Medical Center and JFK University Medical Center.

What Does the Research Say?

Recent research published in The Lancet in October 2020 finds that nearly 15 percent of COVID-19 patients report experiencing joint pain. “Viral infections are a known cause of acute arthralgia [joint pain] and arthritis,” the authors of the research write. “Approximately 1 percent of all cases of acute inflammatory arthritis have a viral origin.”

A different study, carried out at Northwestern University and published in Skeletal Radiology in February 2021, finds that the COVID virus can trigger the body to attack itself in different ways that could lead to rheumatological issues.

Research findings are not necessarily surprising, says Dr. Siddiqi. “Inflammatory joint disease can occur from a systemic viral infection that stimulates a widespread immune response throughout the body, which includes both muscle aches and joint pain,” he says. “Inflammatory arthritis can be caused by autoimmune conditions or sometimes viral infections, and it can be felt in the knees, shoulders, ankles, wrists and hips.”

What to Do if You Are Experiencing Joint Pain

If you are experiencing pain in your knees, hips or other joints—whether or not you have had COVID-19—talk to your doctor. “If your doctor determines that you have infectious arthritis, they might prescribe medications or suggest having joint fluid drained,” Dr. Siddiqi says.

Other options for treating joint pain include:

• Applying ice and heat and resting
• Physical therapy
• Staying active
• Over-the-counter medication
• Prescription medications
• Supplements
• Losing weight

“Don’t be afraid to talk to your doctor about your symptoms. We are here to help,” says Dr. Siddiqi. “Your doctor will work with you to recommend the best pain management option and treatment option for you.”

Next Steps & Resources:

• Meet our source: Ahmed Siddiqi, D.O.
• To make an appointment with Dr. Siddiqi or a doctor near you, call 800-822-8905 or visit our website.
• Learn how our orthopedic experts are committed to helping you maintain optimal joint health
• How to relieve knee pain triggered by everyday activities
• Tips to get relief from joint pain at home

The material provided through HealthU is intended to be used as general information only and should not replace the advice of your physician. Always consult your physician for individual care.

The post Can COVID Cause Pain in Your Knees, Hips & Other Joints? appeared first on Hackensack Meridian Health.