If you’ve ever lived with joint pain—even briefly—you know how quickly it can disrupt your daily life. While some people find relief with rest, ice, heat, or over‑the‑counter medications, others eventually need medical evaluation or even surgery.

Dr. David Shau, Orthopedic Surgeon

Joint pain is incredibly common. Research from the United States Bone and Joint Initiative shows that more than 63 million Americans—about one in four—reported chronic joint pain in 2012. Rates increase with age and peak among adults 65 to 74. Knee pain is the most frequently reported (40 million people), followed by shoulder pain (18.7 million) and hip pain (15.3 million). Women report chronic joint pain more often than men, except when it comes to shoulder pain. Joint pain affects all racial groups at similar rates, with the exception of Asian adults, who report lower rates overall.

Many people try to “push through” joint pain at home, but when is it time to see a physician?

We spoke with Dr. David Shau, orthopedic surgeon on the medical staff at Texas Health Southwest who also operates at Texas Health Clearfork, about how to know when joint pain needs professional attention.

When Joint Pain Requires Immediate Care

“If someone experiences an injury or trauma and has severe joint pain associated, they should see a doctor right away or go to the nearest emergency room,” explains Dr. Shau. “If the pain is tolerable and the person can still walk, it’s reasonable to rest the joint, ice and elevate it, and use over‑the‑counter medications. But if the pain doesn’t improve within a day or two, it’s best not to wait too long before seeing a physician.”

He explains that early evaluation can help identify joint, ligament, or meniscal injuries—issues more common in younger patients—which may require imaging such as an MRI before determining whether surgery is needed.

How Age and Chronic Conditions Influence Joint Pain

Older adults often face different causes of joint pain.

“The older population—typically those 50 and above—may have chronic conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, gout, or pseudo‑gout,” Dr. Shau says. “These conditions can take a week or two to settle down and often have a higher chance of recurring.”

He emphasizes that early medical evaluation can make a meaningful difference.

“Seeking a specialist’s opinion may mean the difference between needing a partial joint replacement versus a total joint replacement. It could also mean that non‑operative options—like injections—are still viable before surgery becomes necessary.”

Why Ignoring Joint Pain Can Lead to Bigger Problems

Chronic joint conditions that go untreated can worsen over time.

“If these conditions are neglected, arthritis may progress to the point where a total knee replacement is required,” Dr. Shau explains. “At that stage, non‑operative treatments may no longer work. And if a person’s general health declines, they may no longer be a good candidate for surgery at all.”

When to See a Specialist

If joint pain follows an injury or persists despite rest and self‑care, Dr. Shau recommends seeing a specialist.

“Joint health is tied to overall health and wellness,” he explains. “It’s a good a good idea to see an orthopedic surgeon before joint pain impacts your quality of life or daily function. Patients benefit from seeing an orthopedic surgeon because they receive the most up‑to‑date information about treatment options—not just generic joint‑pain advice.”

Protecting Your Joint Health

Dr. Shau also stresses the importance of lifestyle habits that support long‑term joint health.

“Eat healthy, keep extra weight off, exercise regularly, and stay active,” he says. “The old adage ‘use it or lose it’ applies to joints as well.”