Healthdirect Free Australian health advice you can count on.

Medical problem? Call 1800 022 222. If you need urgent medical help, call triple zero immediately

healthdirect Australia is a free service where you can talk to a nurse or doctor who can help you know what to do.

beginning of content

Joint pain and swelling

6-minute read

Key facts

  • Swollen joints happen when there is fluid in the tissues around the joints.
  • Joint pain and swelling can affect more than one joint at a time.
  • Joint pain and swelling are often accompanied by stiffness, aches and a feeling of heat or warmth.
  • Acute joint pain usually comes on quickly and does not last long.
  • Chronic joint pain and swelling may be caused by a 'rheumatic' condition — a condition that affects your joints, bones and muscles.

What is joint pain and swelling?

Swollen joints happen when there is fluid in the tissues around the joints. It can be very uncomfortable and can make it difficult to move the affected joints. In some cases, swelling may cause affected joints to increase in size or appear to be an odd shape.

Joint pain and swelling can affect more than one joint at a time. The most common joints to be affected by pain and swelling are elbows, wrists, shoulders, the base of the spine, knuckles in the hand, hips, knees or ankles.

Acute and chronic joint pain and swelling

There are 2 types of joint pain and swelling.

  • Acute joint pain and swelling comes on quickly and lasts a short time, for example, if you have an injury.
  • Chronic joint pain and swelling comes on slowly and causes long-term problems. This is more likely to be caused by an underlying condition, such as a type of arthritis.

What symptoms are related to joint pain and swelling?

The symptoms of joint pain and swelling can vary, and depend on which joints are affected. The pain and swelling are often accompanied by stiffness, aches and a feeling of heat or warmth.

In some cases, it can lead to problems moving around, carrying out daily activities (such as washing and dressing), and for some people, working.

Joint pain and swelling may be better or worse at different times of the day. For example, you may find that your joint pain and swelling is worse first thing in the morning. Pain and swelling in the joints can also lead to tiredness and fatigue.

CHECK YOUR SYMPTOMS — Use the Symptom Checker and find out if you need to seek medical help.

What causes joint pain and swelling?

Acute joint pain usually comes on quickly and does not usually last long. Some common causes of acute joint pain include:

Chronic joint pain and swelling may be caused by a 'rheumatic' condition — a disorder that affects your joints, ligaments, tendons, bones and muscles. There are more than 200 different kinds of rheumatic conditions, including arthritis, gout and lupus.

The most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

When should I see my doctor?

It’s a good idea to see your doctor if you have joint pain or swelling, especially if it starts for no clear reason, lasts for more than a few days, or if the joint is also red and warm.

You may need x-rays, blood tests or other scans. In some cases, the doctor may want to look inside the joint with an arthroscope.

FIND A HEALTH SERVICE — The Service Finder can help you find doctors, pharmacies, hospitals and other health services.

ASK YOUR DOCTOR — Preparing for an appointment? Use the Question Builder for general tips on what to ask your GP or specialist.

How is joint pain and swelling treated?

Acute joint pain, such as strains and sprains, can usually be helped by the PRICE method:

  • Protect the joint area from further damage or harm.
  • Rest the joint — avoid activities that cause pain.
  • Ice the joint for 20 minutes every 2 to 3 hours — make sure the ice is wrapped, so it doesn’t touch your skin.
  • Compress the joint with a bandage that is firm, but not tight.
  • Elevate the joint above the level of the heart, to reduce swelling.

If you have long term joint pain and swelling, your doctor will diagnose the cause. They will provide a plan of treatment, which may include exercise. The best types of exercises are gentle on your joints. Depending on the cause and the joint involved, this may include swimming, aqua aerobics, tai chi, cycling or walking.

Medicines such as steroids, paracetamol or ibuprofen may sometimes help. For some conditions, your doctor may recommend an injection of steroid medicine into the joint or to remove some of the fluid that has built up in the joint.

If the problem is caused by an infection, you may need antibiotics or surgery to drain the area.

Can joint pain and swelling be prevented?

Because there are many different types of conditions that cause joint pain and swelling, prevention depends on many different factors. In many cases lifestyle changes can help you manage your symptoms, and live well.

Maintain a healthy weight

While there is no clear link between being overweight and developing arthritis, extra body weight can increase the stress on many joints, especially the knees, hips and lower back. Losing weight will decrease the stress on your joints, reduce pain and make it easier for you to move around.

Quit smoking

Smoking is linked to back pain, neck pain, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis, so quitting has many health benefits. Smoking also causes fatigue and slower healing, which can increase pain, and cause some medications to be less effective.

Exercise

Regular exercise is important to help you keep fit, independent and mobile. Being active helps keep your muscles, bones and joints strong.

Know your treatment options

There are many different medical treatments that can help relieve pain, and slow the development of your joint stiffness. By working with your healthcare team to find a treatment combination that best suits you, you can reduce your joint pain, look after your joint health, and improve your quality of life.

Resources and support

See your doctor or healthcare professional to learn more about the causes, diagnosis and management of joint pain and swelling.

Read more on joint conditions by visiting these organisations:

For more information about government services available to you if you have a chronic joint condition visit the Department of Health and Aged Care.

Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content.

Last reviewed: July 2023


Back To Top

Need more information?

These trusted information partners have more on this topic.

Top results

Back pain — Arthritis Australia

Low back pain is pain that is felt in the lower part of the spine

Read more on Arthritis Australia website

Areas of the body (back pain) | Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) support program - homepage | Arthritis Australia

Low back pain is pain that is felt in the lower part of the spine. It is very common with.... MyRA is designed to help people with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) seize control and become active participants in their journey with RA

Read more on Arthritis Australia website

Gout and diet — Arthritis Australia

Gout is a type of arthritis that is associated with elevated levels of uric acid in the blood

Read more on Arthritis Australia website

Gout | Health and wellbeing | Queensland Government

Gout is a common form of arthritis

Read more on Queensland Health website

Gout

Gout is a type of arthritis caused by too much uric acid in the bloodstream.

Read more on WA Health website

MSK Kids - Musculoskeletal Australia (MSK)

Does your child have juvenile arthritis or a musculoskeletal condition like back pain or Perthes' disease? We can help! Find out about our free services.

Read more on Musculoskeletal Australia website

Neck — Arthritis Australia

Neck pain is pain that is felt in the upper part of the spine

Read more on Arthritis Australia website

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) | Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) support program - homepage | Arthritis Australia

NSAIDs reduce inflammation, joint swelling and stiffness. They are often used to treat.... MyRA is designed to help people with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) seize control and become active participants in their journey with RA

Read more on Arthritis Australia website

Gout - Better Health Channel

While most other types of arthritis develop slowly, an attack of gout happens suddenly, often overnight.

Read more on Better Health Channel website

Managing at home — Arthritis Australia

When you have arthritis, joint pain and weakness can make normal activities around the home difficult

Read more on Arthritis Australia website

Healthdirect 24hr 7 days a week hotline

24 hour health advice you can count on

1800 022 222

Government Accredited with over 140 information partners

We are a government-funded service, providing quality, approved health information and advice

Australian Government, health department logo ACT Government logo New South Wales government, health department logo Northen Territory Government logo Queensland Government logo Government of South Australia, health department logo Tasmanian government logo Victorian government logo Government of Western Australia, health department logo

Healthdirect Australia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to the Traditional Owners and to Elders both past and present.