In this FOX 8 WVUE segment, Ryan Charles Roubion, board-certified sports medicine and orthopedic surgeon at Metairie Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, explains how to tell the difference between muscle, tendon, and joint pain and when to seek care at their Metairie and LaPlace locations, where patients see their physician at every visit for continuity of care.
If you’ve ever woken up sore and wondered what exactly is causing your pain, you’re not alone. During a recent segment on FOX 8 WVUE, Dr. Ryan Charles Roubion, board-certified sports medicine and orthopedic surgeon at Metairie Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, explained an important truth:
Muscle pain, tendon injuries, and joint problems are very different—and they feel different too.
Understanding where your pain is coming from can help you know when rest is enough and when it’s time to see a specialist.
How Joint Pain Usually Feels
Joint pain is most commonly related to arthritis.
Patients often describe it as:
✓ A stiff, achy sensation
✓ Pain that shows up after sitting or resting for a while
✓ Difficulty getting moving when standing up
For example, you may feel fine while sitting, but when you stand up after a long car ride or time in a chair, the joint feels tight and sore. That stiffness is a classic sign of arthritis affecting the joint itself.
Joint pain typically follows a spectrum of treatment, depending on severity:
✓ Exercise and activity modification
✓ Over-the-counter medications like Tylenol or anti-inflammatories
✓ Injections or supportive bracing
✓ Joint replacement surgery, when conservative options no longer help
The key is recognizing that joint pain behaves differently than soft-tissue injuries.
What Tendon Pain Feels Like (And Why It Matters)
Tendons connect muscle to bone. They act like a lever system, allowing your muscles to move your joints.
Tendon pain usually feels:
✓ Sharp and specific
✓ Worse with repeated movement
✓ Localized to a certain motion (like lifting your arm)
Unlike muscle soreness, tendon pain does not improve with continued use. In fact, it often gets worse over time. What may start as mild discomfort can progress to weakness or tearing if ignored.
Partial tendon injuries can sometimes heal without surgery, but complete tears often require surgical repair—and timing matters. The longer a tear goes untreated, the more difficult it can be to fix later.
Muscle Pain: Often Uncomfortable, Usually Temporary
Muscle pain behaves differently from tendon or joint issues.
Muscle strains typically:
✓ Feel sore or tender
✓ Improve gradually over days or weeks
✓ Feel better with gentle movement and continued use
In many cases, mild muscle injuries heal on their own with time, activity modification, and proper recovery.
When Should You See a Doctor?
Dr. Roubion emphasizes that certain symptoms should be evaluated sooner rather than later:
✓ A painful pop
✓ Sudden weakness or loss of function
✓ Severe pain that limits daily activity
✓ Pain that continues to worsen instead of improving
Early evaluation can make a significant difference. Injuries addressed quickly are often easier—and less invasive—to treat than those ignored for years.
Why an Accurate Diagnosis Matters
Not all pain should be treated the same way. Stretching, rest, or medication that helps one condition may worsen another.
Being specific about where the pain is located, how it feels and what movements make it better or worse helps your physician determine whether the issue is muscular, tendon-related, or joint-based—and build the right treatment plan.
Get Expert Orthopedic Care in Metairie
At Metairie Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, with convenient locations in Metairie and LaPlace, our team helps patients understand their pain and choose the most effective path forward—whether that’s conservative care or advanced treatment options. Patients are cared for by the same physician at every visit, ensuring continuity of care and a clear, consistent treatment plan from diagnosis through recovery.
If pain is affecting your movement, comfort, or quality of life, getting clarity is the first step toward relief—and having a trusted orthopedic specialist who knows your case makes all the difference.