When to see a doctor

By Mayo Clinic Staff

Joint pain is rarely an emergency. Mild joint pain often can be cared for at home.

Make an appointment with your health care provider if you have joint pain and:

  • Swelling.
  • Redness.
  • Tenderness and warmth around the joint.
  • Fever.

See a health care provider right away if an injury causes joint pain and:

  • The joint looks out of shape.
  • You can't use the joint.
  • The pain is severe.
  • There's sudden swelling.

Self-care

When caring for mild joint pain at home, follow these tips:

  • Try pain relievers you can get without a prescription. These include ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) or naproxen sodium (Aleve).
  • Don't move in ways that make the pain worse.
  • Apply ice or a package of frozen peas to the painful joint for 15 to 20 minutes a few times each day.
  • Apply a heating pad, soak in a warm tub or take a warm shower to relax muscles and increase blood flow.

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April 05, 2023

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