Why Do I Have Pain in Many Joints?
Pain in several joints at once, sometimes described as “pain all over the body”, has many possible causes. Some settle on their own; others need early treatment by a rheumatologist.
Doctors first separate joint pain (the joint hurts but looks normal) from joint swelling (the joint is puffy or warm, which means it is inflamed). Swelling in several joints is more likely to need specialist treatment.
Clues that help find the cause
- Did it start after a fever? Viral infections, including chikungunya and dengue, often cause joint pain. Most settles, but post-chikungunya joint pain can last for months.
- Are the same joints affected on both sides? Swelling of the small joints of both hands and feet suggests rheumatoid arthritis.
- Is there a rash, mouth ulcers, hair loss or sensitivity to sunlight? These, with joint pain and tiredness, can point to lupus. Lupus and rheumatoid arthritis are both more common in women.
- Do you have psoriasis or nail changes? Consider psoriatic arthritis.
- Is the pain widespread, in muscles as well as joints, with poor sleep and exhaustion but no swelling? This pattern fits fibromyalgia.
- Dry eyes and dry mouth? These can be part of Sjögren’s syndrome, another autoimmune condition.
Mechanical or inflammatory?
This table shows how non-inflammatory widespread pain usually differs from inflammatory joint disease.
| Feature | Non-inflammatory (e.g. osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia) | Inflammatory (e.g. RA, lupus, psoriatic arthritis) |
|---|---|---|
| Swelling | None, or hard bony change | Soft, warm swelling in one or more joints |
| Morning stiffness | Short, under 30 minutes | Often more than 30 minutes |
| Where it hurts | Weight-bearing joints, or widespread muscle and joint aching | Specific joints, often both sides |
| Whole-body symptoms | Tiredness and poor sleep (fibromyalgia) | Fever, weight loss, rash, mouth ulcers, hair loss |
| Blood tests | Usually normal | Inflammation markers or antibodies may be abnormal |
| Treatment focus | Exercise, sleep, pain management | Disease-modifying medicines from a rheumatologist |
Common causes of pain in many joints
- Viral arthritis: after infections such as chikungunya, dengue or hepatitis.
- Rheumatoid arthritis: swelling and stiffness in the small joints of both hands and feet.
- Lupus (SLE): joint pain with tiredness, rash, mouth ulcers, hair loss or fever.
- Psoriatic arthritis: joint, back or heel pain with psoriasis.
- Osteoarthritis in several joints: knees, hips, hands and spine, mostly after 45.
- Fibromyalgia: widespread pain, tiredness and poor sleep, without joint damage.
- Polymyalgia rheumatica: shoulder and hip stiffness after 50.
- Other causes: thyroid problems, low vitamin D and some medicines can cause widespread aches. Simple blood tests check for these.
Our arthritis self-check can help you organise your symptoms before a visit.
When is it urgent?
Get same-day medical help if: joint pain comes with high fever and a rash, or with bleeding from the gums or nose (possible dengue); one joint becomes suddenly hot, swollen and very painful (possible septic arthritis); or you have chest pain, breathlessness, swelling of the legs or face, or very reduced urine. Call +91 93386 53086 during clinic hours (Mon–Sat, 9 AM–2 PM & 4:30–9 PM). Outside clinic hours, or if symptoms are severe, go to the nearest emergency department straight away.
Which doctor should you see?
- Swelling in several joints, morning stiffness over 30 minutes, or joint pain with rash, ulcers or fever: see a rheumatologist. At OARC, Dr. Jyoti Ranjan Parida (Saheed Nagar) or Dr. Debashis Maikap (Sailashree Vihar).
- Joint pain during or just after a fever: see your family doctor first; if pain lasts beyond six weeks, see a rheumatologist.
- Widespread pain without swelling, with poor sleep: a rheumatologist can confirm fibromyalgia and rule out arthritis.
When to book an appointment
Book a rheumatology appointment if pain in several joints has lasted more than six weeks, if any joint is swollen, or if you have joint pain with rash, mouth ulcers, hair loss, dry eyes or unexplained weight loss. Bring all previous blood test reports, including any ANA, RF or uric acid results.
Pain in many joints can be confusing. A rheumatologist can sort out the cause and plan the right tests.
Pain in many joints: common questions
See a rheumatologist in Bhubaneswar
OARC has two centres in Bhubaneswar, with an in-house lab, Immunix Labs (working with NABL-accredited partner labs), pharmacy, imaging and physiotherapy. Bring any previous reports, X-rays or scans and a list of your current medicines.
Saheed Nagar (Main Centre)
Dr. Jyoti Ranjan Parida consults here
A/90 Saheed Nagar, opp. Ayakar Bhavan, Bhubaneswar 751007
Mon–Sat 9 AM–2 PM & 4:30–9 PM · Sunday closed
Sailashree Vihar, Chandrasekharpur
Dr. Debashis Maikap consults here
P-13/14 Sailashree Vihar, Chandrasekharpur, Bhubaneswar 751021
Mon–Sat 8–9 AM & 5–6 PM · Sunday closed
References
- NHS. Joint pain. NHS website. www.nhs.uk/symptoms/joint-pain/
- NHS. Rheumatoid arthritis. NHS website. www.nhs.uk/conditions/rheumatoid-arthritis/
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Rheumatoid arthritis in adults: management (NG100), 2018, updated 2020. www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng100
- NHS. Lupus. NHS website. www.nhs.uk/conditions/lupus/
- Fanouriakis A, et al. EULAR recommendations for the management of systemic lupus erythematosus: 2023 update. Ann Rheum Dis 2024;83:15–29. doi.org/10.1136/ard-2023-224762
- NHS. Fibromyalgia. NHS website. www.nhs.uk/conditions/fibromyalgia/
This page gives general information and is not a diagnosis. Please see a doctor about your own symptoms. Read our editorial policy to learn how we write and review medical content.