Joint pain (arthralgia) or inflamed joints (arthritis) can result from dozens of different conditions, and the treatment differs entirely depending on the underlying cause. Misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis leads to unnecessary suffering, preventable joint damage, and incorrect treatment. The most common causes in adults include osteoarthritis (degenerative wear-and-tear), rheumatoid arthritis (autoimmune inflammation), gout and pseudogout (crystal deposition), psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, reactive arthritis, and lupus-related joint disease. Less commonly, joint pain can be the presenting feature of an infection, malignancy, or systemic condition. Distinguishing between these requires a specialist evaluation: the pattern of joints affected, the presence or absence of morning stiffness, associated symptoms (rash, eye inflammation, bowel symptoms), blood tests, and imaging all contribute to an accurate diagnosis. Dr. Atul Kakar has over 35 years of experience diagnosing and treating joint pain as a rheumatologist and physician at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi.
About Joint Pain
When should you seek care?
How Dr. Kakar approaches treatment.
Dr. Kakar conducts a detailed rheumatological assessment: history of joint involvement pattern, duration, and associated features; clinical examination of all affected joints; and targeted blood tests including inflammatory markers (CRP, ESR), uric acid, RF, anti-CCP, ANA, and HLA-B27 where indicated. Imaging — X-rays, musculoskeletal ultrasound, or MRI — is used to assess structural damage and synovial inflammation. Treatment is tailored to the diagnosis: anti-inflammatory medications and lifestyle measures for mechanical pain; DMARDs and biologics for inflammatory arthritis; urate-lowering therapy for gout; and intra-articular corticosteroid injections for localised inflammation. The goal is always to achieve pain control, preserve joint function, and prevent long-term damage.
When to see a specialist.
See a rheumatologist if joint pain persists for more than 6 weeks, if joints are visibly swollen or warm, if you have morning stiffness lasting more than 30 minutes, if multiple joints are involved, or if standard pain relief is insufficient. Early diagnosis and treatment of inflammatory arthritis significantly reduces the risk of permanent joint damage.