Sakit sendi (joint pain) is common, especially as you get older (NHS). It can come from an injury, or from a longer-lasting problem such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis or gout. Women are more likely to get rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and lupus, and perimenopause and menopause can also cause aching joints. Pain and stiffness on both sides of the body that lasts more than 30 minutes after waking up, joint pain with a fever, or a hot, swollen joint should be checked by a doctor. Rest, ice packs, staying gently active and the right painkiller can ease mild pain. This guide explains the common causes, the main types of arthritis, and when to get help.
Punca sakit sendi: apa simptom lain beritahu anda
Joint pain can affect the knees, shoulders, hips, feet, hands, elbows or neck, in one joint or several at the same time (NHS). Perimenopause and menopause can also cause aching and painful joints because of lower levels of oestrogen. The NHS advises: do not self-diagnose, and see a doctor if you are worried. The symptoms can give clues:
| What you notice | Possible cause (NHS) |
|---|---|
| Pain, swelling or bruising after intense or repetitive exercise | Sprain or strain |
| Pain that is worse when walking, and stiffness after activity (usually over the age of 45) | Osteoarthritis |
| A warm, swollen joint that is more painful when you move it or press on it | Bursitis (inflamed fluid-filled sacs that cushion the joints) |
| Pain and stiffness on both sides of your body that is worse after not moving, for example when you wake up | Rheumatoid arthritis |
| A hot, swollen toe joint (usually the big toe) with very bad pain that comes on suddenly, often overnight | Gout; see our guide to gout dan asid urik |
| A hot, swollen joint that is difficult to move, with a high temperature or feeling hot or cold and shivery | Joint infection (septic arthritis), which needs urgent help |
For knee pain, see our guide to sakit lutut; for shoulder pain, see sakit bahu dan leher.
Jenis artritis (radang sendi) yang biasa
Arthritis (artritis, or radang sendi) causes pain, swelling and stiffness in one or more joints, and can make moving them difficult (NHS). Symptoms can sometimes suddenly get worse in a "flare-up" that lasts several days. The NHS lists these common types:
| Type | How it affects you (NHS) |
|---|---|
| Osteoarthritis | The most common type. Often affects weight-bearing joints such as the knees and feet, and usually starts in the late 40s |
| Rheumatoid arthritis | Usually first felt in the small joints of the hands and feet. Often diagnosed between the ages of 40 and 60 |
| Gout | Often affects the big toe joint, which can be painful, swollen and hot |
| Psoriatic arthritis | Joint pain, swelling and stiffness, and you may also have a red, scaly rash called psoriasis; see our guide to psoriasis |
| Ankylosing spondylitis | Often causes lower back pain and stiffness that lasts longer than common backache; usually begins under the age of 40 |
| Juvenile idiopathic arthritis | Affects children under 16 |
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease: the immune system attacks the lining of the joints by mistake, making them swollen, stiff and painful, and over time this can damage the joints (NHS). Some people also feel tired, lose weight or have a high temperature. In osteoarthritis, the protective cartilage on the ends of the bones breaks down (NHS).
Kenapa wanita lebih kerap sakit sendi
Several causes of joint pain are more common in women. The NHS says:
- being a woman increases the risk of rheumatoid arthritis, as do a family history and smoking;
- osteoarthritis is more common in women than men, and obesity puts extra strain on weight-bearing joints such as the knees and hips;
- more women than men get lupus, and it is more common in women with an Asian or Chinese background;
- joint pain is a symptom of perimenopause and menopause, and can continue after menopause;
- gout is more common in men, but going through the menopause raises the chance of getting it.
Lupus causes joint and muscle pain, extreme tiredness that does not go away with rest, and rashes after being in the sun, often over the nose and cheeks (NHS). In a 2026 study of 1,599 lupus patients across 22 rheumatology centres in Malaysia, 92.5% were women. See our guide to lupus, and for menopause symptoms, see menopaus.
Knee pain is also common in older Malaysians. In the Malaysian Elders Longitudinal Research study of 1,226 adults aged 55 and over in Greater Kuala Lumpur, about a third had knee pain, and it was more common among Malay participants (44.6%) than Indian (31.9%) or Chinese (23.5%) participants.
Sendi kaku waktu pagi: rheumatoid atau osteoartritis?
Morning stiffness (sendi kaku waktu pagi) is a useful clue. The NHS says:
- in osteoarthritis, stiffness usually wears off within 30 minutes of getting up, and pain gets worse the more you use the joint;
- in rheumatoid arthritis, pain is usually throbbing and aching, often worse in the morning and after rest, and stiffness often lasts longer than 30 minutes. It typically affects both sides of the body at the same time, and you may not be able to fully bend your fingers or make a fist.
The NHS advises seeing a doctor if your joints are stiff for more than 30 minutes after waking up. Diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis quickly is important, because early treatment can prevent it getting worse and reduce the risk of joint damage (NHS).
Sakit sendi jari tangan
Pain in the finger joints (sakit sendi jari tangan) is often caused by bruising or injury, but there are many possible causes (NHS):
| What you notice | Possible cause (NHS) |
|---|---|
| Pain, swelling and stiffness at the base of the finger that lasts a long time, sometimes with a lump | Tendonitis or arthritis |
| Pain or tenderness in the palm at the base of the finger, stiffness, clicking when you move it | Trigger finger; see our guide to jari terkunci |
| Ache, numbness, tingling or weakness in the fingers or hands | Carpal tunnel syndrome; see our guide to tangan kebas |
| Pain, swelling and bruising, hard to move or grip | Sprained finger |
| Sudden, sharp pain, swelling, a popping or snapping sound during an injury | Broken finger; do not treat it yourself |
Rheumatoid arthritis often affects the small joints in the hands first, and osteoarthritis often affects the small joints of the hands too (NHS). For finger pain, the NHS suggests resting the finger, an ice pack wrapped in a towel for up to 20 minutes every 2 to 3 hours, cutting down activities that cause pain (such as typing), removing rings, and gentle finger exercises after a few days. See a doctor if it has not improved after 2 weeks, your hand feels numb or tingly, or you have diabetes, as hand problems can be more serious with diabetes (NHS).
Sakit sendi dengan demam: denggi dan chikungunya
Joint pain with a fever can be caused by mosquito-borne infections found in Malaysia:
- Dengue can cause a high temperature, a severe headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pain, feeling sick and a rash (NHS). See our guide to demam denggi.
- Chikungunya causes fever and severe joint pain, which is often debilitating. The WHO says the joint pain usually lasts a few days but can last for weeks, months or even years, and the symptoms are similar to dengue, so it can be misdiagnosed. There is no specific antiviral treatment; paracetamol can ease fever and pain.
Malaysia saw a resurgence of chikungunya in 2019 after about a decade of sporadic cases. In an outbreak investigation by Universiti Malaya in 3 hotspots in Perak in 2019 to 2020, 54 of 78 people tested had chikungunya. Both dengue and chikungunya are spread by Aedes mosquitoes, which bite mainly during the day (WHO). If you have a fever with joint pain, see a doctor, because the symptoms of dengue and chikungunya can look alike (WHO).
Cara legakan sakit sendi di rumah
To ease joint pain at home, the NHS suggests:
- Do rest the affected joint if you can;
- Do put an ice pack (or a bag of frozen peas) wrapped in a towel on the painful area for up to 20 minutes every 2 to 3 hours;
- Do speak to a pharmacist or doctor about which painkiller to take;
- Do try to lose weight if you are overweight, eat a healthy, balanced diet and exercise regularly; low-impact activities such as swimming, walking, pilates and yoga are best for arthritis;
- Do not stop moving the joint completely;
- Do not smoke, and do not drink too much alcohol.
For a gout attack, the NHS suggests resting and raising the limb, keeping the joint cool, drinking plenty of water, and keeping bedclothes off the joint at night.
Ubat sakit sendi
For "ubat sakit sendi", the NHS advises asking a pharmacist or doctor which painkiller is right for you. For finger and hand pain, it suggests paracetamol or ibuprofen gel, or ibuprofen tablets if needed. If you are pregnant, the NHS says paracetamol is usually the best painkiller, and ibuprofen should be avoided unless a doctor or pharmacist advises it.
Treatment depends on the cause (NHS):
- gout attacks are usually treated with an anti-inflammatory medicine such as ibuprofen, or steroids; people with frequent attacks may need medicine to lower uric acid, taken regularly even without symptoms;
- rheumatoid arthritis is treated with medicine taken long term to relieve symptoms and slow the condition, plus physiotherapy and occupational therapy;
- lupus may be treated with anti-inflammatory medicines, hydroxychloroquine, or steroids;
- other treatments include physiotherapy, steroid injections, antibiotics for an infection, and surgery in some cases.
There is no cure for arthritis, but treatment can help you manage symptoms (NHS). Do not stop a prescribed medicine without talking to your doctor.
Bila perlu jumpa doktor atau ke hospital
Go to the emergency department or call 999 (NHS) if:
- you have very bad joint pain after a fall or injury;
- you cannot walk or put weight on a joint;
- your joint has moved out of place;
- you have tingling or no feeling around the joint after an injury.
Ask for an urgent appointment (NHS) if:
- the skin around the joint is swollen and feels hot, or looks red;
- you have joint pain and feel generally unwell, have a high temperature, or feel hot, cold or shivery;
- you have severe pain and swelling in just 1 joint that started suddenly;
- your pain does not get better with painkillers such as paracetamol;
- you have sore joints with sore eyes or problems with your vision, or with pain when you pee, vaginal discharge, or a rash or sores on your genitals.
See a doctor (NHS) if:
- joint pain is stopping you doing normal activities or affecting your sleep;
- the pain or swelling is getting worse or keeps coming back;
- the pain has not improved after 2 weeks of home treatment;
- your joints are stiff for more than 30 minutes after waking up;
- your child has joint problems.
A doctor may examine your joints and arrange blood tests, an X-ray or ultrasound, or refer you to a rheumatologist (NHS).
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Kenapa sakit sendi (what causes joint pain)?
The NHS says joint pain is common, especially as you get older. It can be caused by an injury such as a sprain, or a longer-lasting problem such as arthritis, including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and gout. Bursitis, a joint infection, and perimenopause and menopause (from lower oestrogen levels) can also cause painful joints. Do not self-diagnose; see a doctor if you are worried.
Sakit sendi seluruh badan, tanda penyakit apa (pain in many joints)?
Pain and stiffness on both sides of the body that is worse after not moving, such as when you wake up, can be a sign of rheumatoid arthritis (NHS). Lupus can also cause joint and muscle pain with extreme tiredness and a rash after being in the sun. Joint pain with fever can come from infections such as dengue or chikungunya. See a doctor if you have pain in many joints that does not go away in a few days.
Sakit sendi jari tangan, kenapa (why do my finger joints hurt)?
The NHS says finger pain is often caused by an injury, but it can also come from arthritis, tendonitis, trigger finger (pain at the base of the finger with clicking) or carpal tunnel syndrome (numbness or tingling). Rheumatoid arthritis often affects the small joints in the hands first. See a doctor if finger pain has not improved after 2 weeks of home treatment, or you have diabetes.
Ubat sakit sendi apa yang boleh guna (what medicine helps joint pain)?
The NHS suggests speaking to a pharmacist or doctor about which painkiller to take. For finger pain, it suggests paracetamol or ibuprofen gel, or ibuprofen tablets if needed. Treatment depends on the cause: gout attacks are usually treated with anti-inflammatory medicines, and rheumatoid arthritis needs long-term medicine from a doctor. Avoid ibuprofen during pregnancy unless a doctor or pharmacist advises it (NHS).
Sendi kaku waktu pagi, normal ke (morning joint stiffness)?
The NHS says morning stiffness from osteoarthritis usually wears off within 30 minutes of getting up, while stiffness from rheumatoid arthritis often lasts longer. See a doctor if your joints are stiff for more than 30 minutes after waking up. Finding rheumatoid arthritis early matters, because early treatment can prevent it getting worse and reduce the risk of joint damage.
Kenapa wanita lebih kerap sakit sendi (why do women get more joint pain)?
The NHS says being a woman increases the risk of rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis is more common in women than men, and more women than men get lupus. Perimenopause and menopause can also cause aching joints because of lower oestrogen, and going through the menopause raises the chance of gout. A Malaysian study of 1,599 lupus patients found 92.5% were women.
Bila sakit sendi perlu ke hospital (when is joint pain an emergency)?
Go to the emergency department or call 999 if you have very bad joint pain after a fall or injury, cannot walk or put weight on a joint, a joint has moved out of place, or you have tingling or no feeling around a joint after an injury (NHS). Get an urgent appointment if the joint is swollen and hot, or you have joint pain with a high temperature or feel unwell, which can be signs of a joint infection.
Disclaimer
This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for advice, diagnosis or treatment from a doctor. Health supplements are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
References
- Joint pain — NHS
- Arthritis — NHS
- Osteoarthritis — NHS
- Rheumatoid arthritis — NHS
- Rheumatoid arthritis: symptoms — NHS
- Gout — NHS
- Lupus — NHS
- Finger pain — NHS
- Menopause and perimenopause symptoms — NHS
- Dengue — NHS
- Ibuprofen for adults — NHS
- Chikungunya fact sheet — World Health Organization
- Shaharir SS, et al. Ethnic disparities in achieving treatment targets and organ damage accrual in systemic lupus erythematosus: a multi-centre study from Malaysia. J Clin Med. 2026;15(9):3387
- Mat S, et al. Ethnic differences in the prevalence, socioeconomic and health related risk factors of knee pain and osteoarthritis symptoms in older Malaysians. PLoS One. 2019;14(11):e0225075
- Lim YZ, et al. Outbreak investigation of reemerging chikungunya virus in Malaysia in 2019-2020. BMC Infect Dis. 2026;26(1):1522
