How To Talk To Your Doctor About Joint Pain

When talking to a doctor about your joint pain, it's important to describe your symptoms clearly to make sure everyone involved is on the "same page."

Here are some simple tips to help:

• Where is the pain?
  Tell your doctor exactly where it hurts.
  For example, instead of simply saying, "My knee hurts," try describing exactly where in your joint the pain is most intense - left side, right side, center, back, etc.
• How bad is it?
  Be honest with your doctor about how much pain you’re in.
  For example, use words like "mild," "sharp," "aching," or "throbbing." You can also rate the pain on a scale from 1 to 10, with 10 being the worst.
• When does it hurt?
  Your doctor needs to know if/how your pain changes throughout the day.
  For example, do you feel the pain all the time? Is it worse in the morning, after moving a lot, or when resting?
• What makes it better or worse?
  Tell your doctor if you’ve noticed any thing that helps relieve your pain or that makes it worse.
  For example, does resting or using ice help control your pain? Also, what makes it worse, like bending or walking.
• How long has it been happening?
  Tell your doctor how long it's been from when you first noticed pain until now.
  For example, is this a new issue or have you noticed it several months or years but only recently has it gotten got worse?

By giving more specific information about your pain, you help your doctor better understand what’s going on and how to help treat your joint pain and get you back in action.