Pain that shifts from one joint to another could be a red flag to an underlying condition that needs to be evaluated.
You wake up with a dull ache in your lower back. A quick stretch and your back loosens up and the pain is gone. But as the day goes on, you notice a shooting pain down your leg. Or your buttocks hurt. So why do you have pain that moves around your body?
Joint or muscle pain that moves around your body, also known as migratory pain, can be frustrating because there may be no clear-cut answer. Pain concentrated in the knee, for example, can be traced to specific causes, like a stretched ligament. Finding the source of pain traveling from one part of your body to another can be more challenging. It may be due to an underlying chronic condition, inflammation, or a pinched nerve. An experienced orthopedic doctor trained in musculoskeletal issues has the skill to uncover why pain crops up in different parts of your body.
Why Pain Can Move or Change Locations
Pain in one joint or muscle is common and usually a response to overexertion or a sudden injury. On the other hand, pain changing locations from day to day might have a more complex underlying cause.
Muscle compensation. Your body’s joints and muscles act together to keep you moving. When one muscle group around a joint is weak, damaged, or overused, another set of muscles picks up the slack. That’s why if your hip is out of alignment you may feel pain in your lower back as those muscles compensate for an ailing hip.
Inflammation. Inflammation after an acute injury is the body’s attempt to heal. Chronic inflammation from an inflammatory disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus, can turn up in various parts of the body.
Nerve involvement. A compressed nerve can cause pain and other symptoms beyond its exact location. The nervous system lowers the sensitivity in that nerve as a protective measure. Unfortunately, a nearby nerve may become ultra-sensative in response.
Common Causes of Pain That Moves Around
Finding the source for migratory pain is not as straightforward as knowing what causes pain in one specific joint. In many cases, however, it can be traced to a larger problem within the musculoskeletal or nervous system.
Spine-related conditions. Your spine contains a bundle of nerves. So it’s not surprising a nerve under pressure in your spine may cause pain elsewhere. A good example is sciatica, or a pinched nerve at the lower back. Because the sciatic nerve reaches from the lower spine to your leg, you’ll likely feel sharp pain in your leg and buttocks as a result. Likewise, back pain that moves around can be due to a bulging or herniated disc in the lower spine.
Chronic inflammatory conditions. Rheumatoid arthritis, a condition in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the soft tissue lining the joints, frequently results in pain jumping from one joint to another. Migratory arthritis acts similarly with pain starting in one joint before moving on to a different joint. Although not an orthopedic-related condition, fibromyalgia symptoms often show up as shifting musculoskeletal pain throughout the body.
Overexertion or poor posture. Jumping into a rigorous workout (especially if you’ve not exercised regularly before) can lead to widespread muscle and joint pain. Slouching and other poor posture habits can also strain the muscles and joints in your back, neck, and shoulder.
Stress overload. Extreme stress causes your body to release stress hormones like cortisol that elevate your sensitivity to pain. Stiff muscles throughout your body is often a reaction to stress.
When Moving Pain Is a Red Flag
Muscle soreness after a strenuous workout is not a cause for concern. It typically fades in a day or two. But pain shifting from one spot to a second or third may be a red flag to get it checked out by a medical professional. Be alert to these signs:
- Pain not accompanied by an apparent injury
- Worsening and recurring migratory pain not resolved by rest or at-home therapy
- Neurological symptoms such as numbness and tingling in the extremities, or muscle weakness.
How NYBJ Evaluates Complex Pain Patterns
At New York Bone & Joint Specialists, our physicians are experts in determining the exact cause of your pain, whether it’s in one joint or several. We take a comprehensive approach to evaluating your pain by first asking a series of questions:
- How often does migratory pain occur and where?
- Does the moving pain occur at certain points during the day or when doing certain activities?
- Does the pain intensify and then disappear?
- Does the pain come with other symptoms, like numbness, fatigue, or muscle weakness?
Our orthopedists will perform a thorough physical examination as well as imaging tests, if necessary. Imaging tests are useful to rule out other possible conditions. Once a diagnosis is made, our physician team will coordinate care with physical and occupational therapists. An early diagnosis is essential for getting the proper treatment and avoiding further pain or injury.
See the Pain Specialists
Pain concentrated in one specific joint or area usually gets your attention. When pain moves around you may be tempted to ignore it, thinking it’s a normal part of living an active life. But it isn’t.
Migratory pain deserves a detailed assessment by one of the knowledgeable orthopedic physicians at New York Bone & Joint Specialists. We have the training and experience to understand the source of your pain and how to make it better. Contact us today for relief from your moving pain.
FAQs
Is pain that moves around serious?
It definitely can be. Migratory pain may be due to an underlying chronic condition, such as rheumatoid arthritis or sciatica. Or it could be the result of muscle imbalance or nerve damage. An orthopedic physician can determine the probable cause.
Does sciatic pain change locations?
The sciatic nerve begins in the lower back, but extends to the buttocks and legs. If the nerve is compressed, the nerve pain may stretch down the buttocks to the legs.
Can joint pain move without injury?
It’s possible. Certain chronic conditions, such as migratory arthritis or rheumatoid arthritis, are often felt in several joints without any apparent injury.
When should I see an orthopedic specialist?
Moving pain should always be checked by an orthopedist. Pay attention to when and where the pain migrates, whether the intensity of the pain fluctuates, and if other symptoms are present. Those symptoms will tell you if a medical evaluation is needed.
