Hello, I understand your concern. I am Dr. Arun Tank, infectious diseases specialist, answering your query. In my opinion you should take the treatment for joint pain, as ESR increases because of the inflammation of the joints. ESR is erythrocyte sedimentation rate. It is a non specific marker of inflammation. It can raise in any inflamattory condition. All your father has to do is he has to control the cholesterol and joint pain. I advice you to take anti inflammatory medication like diclofenac under your doctors guidance. It relieves pain and inflammation. Please eat high fiber diet like vegetables. Avoid eating high fat diet. High protein diet will be preferable. I advice your father to do small exercise like walking. Because it helps in both reducing cholesterol and joint pain. I will be happy to answer your further concern, you can ask me on bit.ly/DrArun. Thank you. Dr Arun Tank Infectious diseases specialist.