Severe Joint Pain on the Rise in the U.S.

According to a new report severe joint pain is on the rise, especially among older folks and those with arthritis. As indicated in the October 6, 2016 news release, “In 2002, about 10.5 million people in the United States said they battled severe joint pain, but by 2014 that number had jumped to 14.6 million, said researchers from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC].”

The CDC team, led by Kamil Barbour, Ph.D., used 2002-2014 data from the U.S. National Health Interview Survey. According to the news release they found that “by 2014, more than a quarter of all adults with arthritis—27.2%—had severe joint pain, with rates especially high among blacks (42.%) and Hispanics (35.%). Among adults who said they were disabled or unable to work, severe joint pain was cited by nearly 46% and 52%, respectively.”

Dr. Barbour told OTW, “Almost 15 million adults with arthritis in the U.S. have severe joint pain (a significant increase from 2002). That’s more than 1 in 4 adults with arthritis who have severe joint pain.”

“For patients who are not recommended for surgery, the CDC Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain recommends use of exercise therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, acetaminophen, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for the treatment of arthritis; there is insufficient evidence for and serious risks associated with long-term use of opioid therapy to treat chronic pain. Low-impact physical activity is a nonpharmacologic and underused way of reducing joint pain. For those concerned about safely increasing physical activity without worsening their joint pain or their arthritis, community-based program (e.g., EnhanceFitness and Walk with Ease) are available.”

“Our results bring awareness to how prevalent severe joint is among adults with arthritis. The increasing number of adults with severe joint pain may have implications for more joint surgeries (e.g., total knee replacement).”