We’ve all had the occasional ache after a long day, but when joint pain wakes you up in the middle of the night, it’s usually a sign that something more serious is going on.
Nighttime pain is serious because it often points to inflammation, irritation, or structural damage inside the joint.
Here’s what you need to know.
Shoulder Pain at Night? Think Bursitis or Tendinitis
If you find it painful to lie on your side or wake up with a deep ache in the shoulder, the most common causes are:
- Subacromial bursitis (inflammation of the fluid-filled cushion in your shoulder)
- Rotator cuff tendinitis (irritation of the shoulder tendons)
These conditions are often made worse by certain sleeping positions and may not fully settle down without precise, image-guided treatment.
Hip or Knee Pain That Disrupts Sleep? It May Be Inflammatory
Joints that throb or burn at night could be showing signs of:
- Osteoarthritis in an advanced stage.
- Inflammatory arthritis (such as rheumatoid arthritis).
- CAM-type impingement (especially in younger adults with hip pain).
Inflammatory joint conditions often flare up during rest, which is why night pain is such an important diagnostic clue.
Back Pain Worse at Night? Don’t Ignore It
Nighttime back pain — especially if it wakes you up or is not relieved by changing positions — should be evaluated. It can sometimes indicate:
- Sacroiliitis or ankylosing spondylitis.
- Disc issues pressing on nerves.
- Referred pain from the hip or pelvis.
When Is It Time to See a Specialist?
Here are the signs that your night pain needs medical attention:
- It’s happening more than twice a week.
- It interrupts your sleep consistently.
- You feel stiff in the morning, and it takes time to “warm up.”
- You’ve already tried rest, stretching, or painkillers — and it keeps coming back.
What We Do Differently
In our clinic, we start by identifying the exact structure causing pain using ultrasound or imaging. Then, we treat it directly, often with a targeted injection under ultrasound guidance, followed by a personalized rehabilitation plan.
This approach not only relieves pain, but it also helps restore function and prevent recurrences.
Final Thought
Pain that wakes you up at night should never be dismissed as “normal.”
It’s your body’s way of telling you something’s not right, and early treatment often means faster recovery.