Joint pain and stiffness can take a toll on every part of your life. And left untreated, joint pain symptoms are likely to get worse, not better. Forming a good partnership with your healthcare team is the key to finding relief. Below is a list of topics to help you know what to ask the doctor – so you can get the care you need.
Your Symptoms
- How often you have joint symptoms and how intense the pain is on a scale of 1 (mild) to 10 (worst)
- When you first noticed your symptoms
- What aggravates and what relieves them
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Treatment
- Treatment options and the benefits and risks of each
- Medications you're taking, changes in your medical history
- If you're a candidate for viscosupplements (hyaluronan injections)
- Whether you should see other specialists (see below)
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Self-Care Options
- Whether over-the-counter topical therapies or heat or cold therapy might provide symptom relief
- Any changes to your routine that may reduce joint strain
- What types of exercise and foods are best for your joints
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