Joint Pain and Swelling
Joint pain and swelling are common symptoms of Lyme disease. It’s worse in the morning and can be tender to the touch. Swelling can affect any joint, but it’s common in the knees and elbows. A study proved that joint pain and swelling are the most common symptoms in people with Lyme disease.
The connection between joint pain and swelling and Lyme disease is well-established, but it’s important to remember that there are many other causes of joint pain. If the joint pain is severe or accompanied by fever, chills, fatigue, or other symptoms, Lyme disease may be a sign. But if a person has mild joint pain with no other symptoms, then it’s more likely something else is causing the discomfort.
In some cases, swelling may not occur until months after infection. The pain can be acute or chronic and is often described as a dull ache or soreness. It may feel like arthritis, but it generally does not improve with rest or over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen and naproxen.
