Preparing questions in advance can help patients have more meaningful discussions with their physicians regarding their conditions. Patients may wish to ask their doctor the following questions about joint pain:

1. What is causing my joint pain?
   
   
2. If I have joint pain, does that mean I have arthritis?
   
   
3. I injured a joint when I was younger. Does that mean I will have joint pain when I am older?
   
   
4. If an infectious disease is causing my joint pain, will the pain disappear after the disease has been cured?
   
   
5. What tests are available to help determine the cause of my joint pain?
   
   
6. What can I expect from these tests?
   
   
7. What medications are available to alleviate joint pain?
   
   
8. What are the possible side effects of these medications?
   
   
9. Are there ways to relieve my joint pain without medication?
   
   
10. Under what circumstances may I consider surgery to alleviate joint pain?
    
    
11. Is there any way I can prevent joint pain?