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The term that specifically refers to pain in a joint is arthralgia. This term is used in medical terminology to indicate discomfort or pain that is localized within a joint, regardless of the underlying cause. It serves as a descriptive term and can be applied to various conditions that may lead to joint pain, including arthritis, bursitis, or injury.

In contrast, arthritis refers to inflammation of the joints and can lead to pain, but it encompasses a broader range of conditions and is not used to solely describe the symptom of joint pain. Bursitis involves inflammation of the bursa, the small fluid-filled sacs that cushion the joints, and while it can cause joint pain, it specifically targets the bursa rather than the joint itself. Arthrodesis is a surgical procedure that involves the fusion of a joint, used to relieve pain, but it does not denote the presence of pain in a joint.

Understanding the distinction between these terms is essential for accurately reporting symptoms and conditions in medical coding and documentation.