Causes of Sudden Joint Pain
Causes of Sudden Joint Pain Sudden joint pain can throw a monkey wrench into your fitness routine, work and other daily activities. Causes of acute joint pain differ from those that typically cause more gradually developing discomfort. The broad range of possible culprits include injuries, infections and crystals in the joint fluid, among others. Sudden joint pain may affect one or multiple joints and range from mild to sever. Injuries Injuries account for many cases of acute joint pain, usually affecting a single large joint such as the knee, ankle, shoulder or elbow. The small joints of the wrist and hand also prove vulnerable to joint-related injuries, which might include ligament and/or cartilage damage, bone fractures or joint dislocation. Pain typically occurs immediately and is characteristically moderate to severe. Swelling, bruising and joint deformity often accompany the pain. You also might feel or hear a pop in the joint. Treatment varies depe...