When to Seek Medical Care

When to call the doctor

• Pain with movement of arms and legs
  
  
• Tenderness over a joint or where a tendon connects
  
  
• Redness and increased warmth over joint
  
  
• Pain that wakes you from sleep
  
  
• Inability to sleep on affected side
  
  
• Inability to carry on normal activities of daily living (such as brushing your teeth or taking a shower)

When to go to the hospital

• Certain signs and symptoms may mean that you have an infection and should be seen by a doctor immediately.
  
  
  • Joint pain or tenderness that is associated with fever, chills, nausea, or vomiting
    
    
  • If more than 1 joint is involved at the same time or the joint pain migrates from 1 joint to another
    
    
  • A history of high-risk behavior (unprotected sexual activity with multiple partners, IV drug use, history of sexually transmitted disease)
  
  
• Any severe joint pain also needs a visit to your hospital’s emergency department.