Managing Joint Pain as You Age: When to See a Specialist

Aging is a beautiful part of life – but let’s be honest, it doesn’t always feel great on your joints. That ache in your knees when you stand up or the stiffness in your hips during your morning walk isn’t just in your head. Joint pain is one of the most common complaints among adults – and it’s one of the most preventable and treatable, too.

In this article, we’ll guide you through:

What causes joint pain as you age
Common conditions to look out for
Early warning signs you shouldn’t ignore
When to seek medical help (especially urgent care)
How OrthoNOW helps adults in Miami stay mobile and pain-free

Why Does Joint Pain Increase With Age?

Your joints – where two bones meet – are cushioned by cartilage and lubricated by fluid. Over time, natural wear and tear can break down this cushioning. Combine that with reduced physical activity, age-related bone density loss, and past injuries, and it’s no surprise joint pain becomes more common as we age.

In fact, a national poll on aging reported that 70% of older adults aged 50–80 experience joint pain, with women more likely to be affected than men (75% vs. 65%) (University of Michigan Health).

The most commonly affected joints include:

Knees
Hips
Shoulders
Lower back
Hands and fingers

Even if you’ve never had an injury, these areas bear the most weight and stress daily – making them especially vulnerable over time.

Common Age-Related Joint Conditions

Joint pain isn’t a diagnosis; it’s a symptom. Here are a few of the most common conditions behind it in elderly patients:

1. Osteoarthritis (OA)

Often called “wear and tear” arthritis, OA happens when cartilage breaks down over time. It’s the most common form of arthritis and affects millions of seniors.

According to population data, symptomatic knee OA affects about 10% of men and 13% of women aged 60 and older (Zhang & Jordan, 2010). And as people age, the prevalence of radiographic evidence of OA rises, reaching 43.7% among individuals over 80 years old (Anderson et al., 2010).

2. Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

Unlike OA, this is an autoimmune condition where your immune system mistakenly attacks your joint tissue.

While less common than OA, RA tends to cause more intense morning stiffness and fatigue, and often affects joints symmetrically (e.g., both wrists or knees).

3. Bursitis

Bursae are small, fluid-filled sacs that reduce friction in your joints. With age and overuse, they can become inflamed – causing sharp pain, especially in the shoulders, hips, or elbows.

4. Gout

Gout is a form of inflammatory arthritis caused by uric acid buildup. It causes sudden, severe pain – most often in the big toe – and is more common in older adults.

Warning Signs Your Joint Pain Needs Medical Attention

Many seniors write off joint pain as “just getting older.” But some signs signal that you should see a specialist – or even visit urgent care – sooner rather than later:

Pain That Doesn’t Improve With Rest or OTC Medications

If you’ve tried rest, ice, and over-the-counter pain meds with no relief after a few days, it’s time to get it checked.

Swelling or Redness That Spreads

Localized swelling is normal, but spreading redness or swelling could signal infection, especially if there’s warmth or fever.

You Heard a “Pop” or Felt a Sharp Pain

This could indicate a ligament tear, tendon rupture, or fracture. The older you are, the more fragile your tendons and bones become.

Difficulty Walking or Bearing Weight

If joint pain is affecting your ability to walk, stand, or perform daily tasks, it could worsen quickly if left untreated.

Recurring or Worsening Pain Episodes

Joint pain that comes and goes might point to a chronic condition like arthritis or tendonitis – and the sooner it’s diagnosed, the better the treatment outcomes.

Why Seniors Shouldn’t Delay Joint Care

Delaying treatment isn’t just uncomfortable – it can make things worse. Many elderly patients wait until the pain is unbearable or mobility is severely affected. By then, recovery may be slower, and options more limited.

Research on early rehab interventions supports this: one study found that starting physical therapy within 24 hours after hip fracture surgery reduced hospital stay by 0.57 days on average compared to delayed mobilization (5.99 vs. 6.56 days, p < 0.001) (BMC Geriatrics, 2025).

Consequences of waiting include:

More joint damage
Muscle weakening from disuse
Increased risk of falls
Higher likelihood of needing surgery

When Urgent Care is the Right Choice

Not all joint pain needs an ER visit – and not everything can wait weeks for a primary care appointment. That’s where OrthoNOW comes in.

As a specialized urgent care center focused on orthopedic and musculoskeletal issues, OrthoNOW offers:

Walk-in access (no long waits)
On-site imaging like X-rays and ultrasounds
Orthopedic specialists who understand joint care
Physical therapy and follow-up services under one roof

Here are a few scenarios where urgent orthopedic care is the best option:

You fell and now can’t move your joint
You have visible swelling or bruising after activity
You suspect a sprain, strain, or minor fracture
You have severe pain during motion (e.g., can’t raise your arm or straighten your leg)

Treatment Options for Joint Pain in Seniors

The best treatment depends on the cause. At OrthoNOW, our approach is personalized and conservative when possible.

Non-Surgical Options

Medication – NSAIDs, corticosteroid injections, or topical pain relievers
Physical Therapy – Tailored exercises to restore strength and mobility
Bracing or Supports – Especially for knee, wrist, or ankle instability
Lifestyle Advice – Weight management, joint-friendly exercises, and ergonomics

Diagnostic Tools

X-rays – To detect bone changes or fractures
Ultrasound – For soft tissue injuries like tendonitis or bursitis
MRI (if needed) – For detailed joint imaging in complex cases

Surgical Referral (If Needed)

While surgery isn’t the first option, we refer to trusted orthopedic surgeons for cases like:

Severe arthritis needing joint replacement
Tendon ruptures
Unstable fractures

Keeping Joints Healthy as You Age: Prevention Tips

Managing pain is great – but preventing it is even better. Here are senior-friendly ways to reduce joint stress and delay degeneration:

Stay Active, But Smart

Low-impact exercises like swimming, tai chi, and walking help maintain flexibility and muscle support without overloading your joints.

Maintain a Healthy Weight

Every extra pound increases the load on weight-bearing joints. According to biomechanics research, losing just 1 pound of body weight reduces the compressive force on the knee by four times per step (Messier et al., 2005). That means even small weight changes can significantly ease joint strain over time.

Fall-Proof Your Home

Install grab bars, clear clutter, and ensure proper lighting to reduce injury risk.

Wear Supportive Footwear

Poor footwear can worsen knee, hip, and back pain – especially for seniors with existing arthritis.

Stay Hydrated & Eat Anti-Inflammatory Foods

Joint lubrication depends on hydration. A Mediterranean-style diet (rich in omega-3s and antioxidants) may also reduce inflammation – though more controlled studies are needed to measure exact benefits.

Final Thoughts: Don’t Let Joint Pain Define Your Golden Years

Joint pain may be common with age, but it isn’t something you have to live with. Whether you’re dealing with a new ache or worsening arthritis, early diagnosis and treatment can make all the difference.

If you or a loved one in the Miami area is experiencing persistent joint discomfort, don’t wait. Visit OrthoNOW for fast, expert orthopedic care – no referral needed.

Find us at OrthoNOWCare.com or walk into our Miami location today.

Citations

University of Michigan National Poll on Healthy Aging. “Arthritis and Joint Pain.” 2022. https://www.healthyagingpoll.org
Zhang Y, Jordan JM. “Epidemiology of Osteoarthritis.” Clin Geriatr Med. 2010; https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2920533/
Anderson AS, Loeser RF. “Why is osteoarthritis an age-related disease?” Postgrad Med J. 2010; https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2818253/
Giusti A et al. “Early Mobilization Reduces Hospital Stay After Hip Fracture in the Elderly.” BMC Geriatrics, 2025; https://bmcgeriatr.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12877-025-05772-5
Messier SP et al. “Weight Loss Reduces Knee-Joint Loads in Overweight and Obese Older Adults with Knee Osteoarthritis.” Arthritis & Rheumatism. 2005; https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15986358/