Prepare to be treated.

When should I go to the hospital?

Repeated pain and sudden hot swelling of the joints should respond differently.

At a glance

If pain persists or interferes with your life, get treatment.
If your joints are suddenly hot, swollen or with joint pain, get treatment on the same day.
Keep a note of pain starting and taking medication.

If pain persists or interferes with your daily life and sleep, seek medical attention to determine the cause. Suddenly, hot and swollen joints need a quick evaluation.

If it's repetitive or life is difficult, they get treatment.

If pain gets worse or keeps coming back, if you have difficulty walking or your daily routine, seek medical attention. Tell me if you have any symptoms of prolonged dizziness in the morning.

If it's hot or cold, check quickly.

If your joints are suddenly swollen and hot, or if you have symptoms like a fever with joint pain, call the medical center on the same day or get treatment. There could be a reason why we shouldn't go beyond just arthritis to pain.

Make a note of it before the procedure.

When pain starts, write down if you've ever been injured, what joints are sick, fever or rash. It's helpful to bring in the medication you're taking along with your previous tests and treatments.

So, what do you think?

NHS 111 Wales · Joint pain and symptoms requiring treatment

It's general health information. Please check your symptoms and treatment plan at the clinic.

When to seek medical care

Each warning sign is a separate reason to seek care. Follow the action below if any one applies.

Emergency department · call 119 in Korea

Call 119 for sudden breathlessness or chest pain, severe faintness or loss of consciousness. Do not wait for calf swelling to appear.
Go to an emergency department if you suddenly cannot bear any weight, or if an injured knee swells rapidly or looks deformed. A cold or numb foot after injury also needs immediate assessment.
Seek emergency care for a hot, swollen and severely painful joint with high fever, shaking chills, confusion or inability to bear weight.
With back or leg pain, go immediately to an emergency department for new difficulty passing urine, loss of bladder or bowel control, or numbness around the genitals or anus. Severe or rapidly worsening weakness or numbness in both legs also needs immediate assessment.

Same-day assessment

Arrange assessment today for a newly hot, swollen joint, sudden severe pain, or a knee locked so that it cannot fully straighten. Joint infection can occur without fever.
Have new swelling or pain in one calf assessed today for a possible blood clot. Call 119 immediately if breathlessness or chest pain develops.
Severe knee pain or a new limp in a growing adolescent may come from a hip condition such as slipped capital femoral epiphysis. Stop walking and sport and arrange assessment today. Go directly to emergency care if they cannot bear weight.
Stop running and seek assessment today for new recurring groin pain, pain with walking or at night, or a limp. A femoral neck stress fracture needs to be considered. Keep weight off the painful leg until assessed. Go to emergency care if you cannot bear weight.

Book an outpatient appointment

If none of the warning signs above is present, book an appointment for pain lasting a few weeks, repeated swelling or reduced daily activity and exercise.