Joint pain is experienced by millions of people around the world.According to official data from the World Health Organization, over 80% of the population suffers from arthritis.Ecological deterioration, a sedentary lifestyle, the appearance of new types of infections, the development of genetic diseases - there are many reasons why problems begin.
Causes of pain
Joints are movable parts of the skeleton that connect all the bones of the musculoskeletal system.Without them, it is impossible to carry out the most important functions of the body - bending, straightening, rotating, supporting and moving.
The appearance of pain is an immediate sign of a violation of normal functionality.It is important not to ignore the alarming symptoms and start treatment in time.
There can be several reasons why the joints hurt:
- Physical inactivity.Technological progress, along with its undeniable benefits, promotes sedentary, sedentary work.All basic functions are performed by machines.people only control processes.This leads to muscle tissue atrophy.The load increases and manifests itself in the form of arthralgia (from the Greek articlen - "joint", algos - "pain").
- Increased physical activity.Occupations associated with constant movement (for example, builders, loaders, salesmen) do not contribute in any way to healthy joints.Heavy loads are fraught with injury and over the years will manifest in pain in the limbs and spine.
- Excess body weight.The required amount of oxygen stops flowing to the joints, muscle mass decreases, irreversible changes occur in the cartilage tissues and, as a result, pain occurs.
- Environmental conditions.Living in big cities or places with a large concentration of industrial enterprises - where there are harmful emissions in the atmosphere - has negative effects on health.The risk of getting seriously ill and developing complications increases several times.
- Poor diet.Eating foods low in vitamins and trace elements that are essential for the body has a negative impact on the general condition of the body.This directly affects the mobility of the connecting parts.Discomfort and pain occur.
- Age.The older a person is, the more he suffers from pain.The inevitable wear and tear of the musculoskeletal system leads to diseases that cause joint complications.It is worth noting that arthralgia is getting younger every year for the above reasons.
Types of diseases
Many people suffer from diseases and only a small part go to the doctor.But pain in the joints, as a rule, indicates the presence of some disease.These can be neglected injuries, hidden inflammatory processes.Therefore, it is so important to contact a rheumatologist or orthopedist for diagnosis and timely treatment.
The classification divides the diseases into inflammatory, metabolic-dystrophic and pathological.Below are the most common joint diseases of each group, according to WHO statistics.
Inflammatory diseases
Arthritis is the most common disease, characterized by the destruction of cartilage tissue.Due to arthritis, friction occurs between the bones and an inflammatory process occurs.As the disease progresses, mobility is lost, swelling and edema appear.It affects all species, small and large.It often has genetic causes that are hereditary.
Bursitis of the joints - the disease affects the shoulder, knee and hip joints.Between the surfaces of the bones, in the cavity of the synovial bursa, excess fluid accumulates.The inflammatory process begins, which occurs with great swelling and excruciating pain.
Metabolic-dystrophic joint diseases
Gout.It is associated with increased production of uric acid, in the context of reduced kidney function.Most often it begins with the appearance of pain in the area of the big toes.The disease is characteristic of the elderly and people of certain professions (for example, dancers).Constantly wearing uncomfortable shoes also contributes to the development of the disease.High heel lovers should consider this.You should not sacrifice your health for fashion trends.
Arthritis.Bone deformity due to cartilage disease.Dystrophic processes are accompanied by severe pain.
Necrosis of the joints.Disturbance of blood flow to the bones.Lack of oxygen and nutrients leads to bone death.The joint suffers first.Pain and stiffness of movement can become signs of an extremely dangerous disease.
Pathologies due to trauma
Mechanical damage to the joint.Therefore, a complication of an unsuccessful fall is most often observed in the knee joints.Less often - on the elbows.Symptoms appear immediately - sharp pain, inability to bend the leg, reduced motor function.
Dislocation.Loss of resistance between the head of the bone and the ligaments leads to dislocation.Displacement can be complete or partial.Joint pain is accompanied by increased temperature and swelling in the area of the dislocation.Not seeking medical help in time can cause the development of necrosis and disability.
Symptoms of joint pain
One or more diseased joints determine the general condition of the body.The symptoms are very wide and depend on the underlying cause.However, there is still a typical set of signs that should seek immediate medical attention:
- Severe pain in one or more joints.
- The pain occurs at any time of the day and is short-lived.
- Discomfort and stiffness of movement appear only during periods of rest - on holidays or weekends.
- The pain in the joints is so severe that the person is forced to stop working.
- Showing lameness.
- Unexplained weight loss.
- Increased sweating.
- Body aches.
- Prolonged elevated temperature.
- Skin rashes.
- Morning stiffness, without severe pain.
- Change in gait.
- Muscle pain (myalgia).
- Mild pain in ligaments and tendons.
Even if, in a person's opinion, the symptoms are not significant and do not cause much discomfort, you should consult a doctor.
A preventive examination will help identify the disease at an early stage and guarantee full treatment.
Disposition methods
- Topical preparations – ointments, gels, creams, patches containing anesthetic and anti-inflammatory active substances.
- Steroid injections have a powerful anti-inflammatory effect throughout the body.
- Hyaluronic acid injections - a viscous liquid is one of the components of cartilage, it helps to deal with inflammatory processes.
- Physical therapy is a set of exercises that help maintain muscle tone and build muscle mass around painful joints.
- Wearing only comfortable shoes - high-quality, soft, easily bent shoes will reduce the load on sore feet.Refusal of high heels, tight clothing and artificial materials.
- Hot and cold - alternating heating pads with hot or cold water relieves spasms, reduces swelling and pain.The change must be quick to avoid overheating or hypothermia.
- Anesthesia of problem areas - injection of anesthetic directly into the irritated area.Quickly relieves excruciating pain.
- Nerve breakdown.It is used in cases where there are no positive results after other methods.The procedure is similar to removing a dental nerve.It relieves the pain in the joints, but the disease remains.
- Traditional medicine - herbs, honey, eggshells, bay leaves and alcohol.There are many recipes for making medicinal tinctures and mixtures.They should not be used without consulting your doctor.
- Acupuncture is traditional medicine, only Chinese.Acupuncture sometimes produces really impressive results.But carrying out such procedures requires a lot of experience and professionalism.Choosing an expert can be overwhelming.
Prevention and treatment
Diseases are treated using the following treatment options:
- Pharmaceutical treatment.Only inflammatory processes and pain syndromes are removed.Without additional techniques, the causes of the disease cannot be eliminated.
- Physiotherapy.Heating, analgesic procedures using medical equipment of various effects.Ultrasound, electrical stimulation.
- Therapeutic exercise.A set of simple special exercises is prescribed by a doctor to stimulate physical activity.
- Manual therapy.Combination of various techniques of active and passive manual pressure on the knees, shoulders, arms, legs, feet, fingers, knees or elbows.This technique refers to the official treatment methods.It is useful both for prevention and for improving the condition of patients.
- Surgery.It is prescribed only in desperate, advanced cases.It has many contraindications and can cause other diseases.
Only after diagnosing and determining the causes, the attending physician prescribes a treatment regimen using one or another technique.
Diseases in most cases are chronic.With proper treatment, the degenerative processes only slow down.
Therefore, diseases are much easier to prevent than to cure:
- Care should be taken to treat any infections promptly.
- The diet must contain sufficient amounts of vitamins, minerals and trace elements.Vitamins A, B5 and B6, C, E, as well as copper, selenium and glucosamine are particularly beneficial for the joints.
- In addition to proper nutrition, maintaining an active lifestyle, feasible sports activity and daily walks will help prevent joint diseases.
- Gradual hardening of the body.
Simple steps will help prevent long-term treatment, severe pain, and disruption to your normal lifestyle.
How to forget about joint and back pain
If your joints prevent you from living and moving fully and the most expensive drugs do not help, then you should consult a professional doctor.Treatment with the advice of acquaintances and friends, in the best case, will not give any result.At worst - worsening of the disease, transition to a chronic form, complete or partial loss of mobility.Before using a "proven" recipe, you should remember that the symptoms may be identical, but the diagnoses may be different.
The following recommendations will help you forget about the pain forever:
- The therapeutic regimen for joints is prescribed only by a doctor.Self-medication can have the most dire consequences.
- Treatment should include various methods - medication, physiotherapy, homeopathy, physical therapy.
- Self-diagnosis is unacceptable.
- Do not steam or rub painful joints.Despite the temporary relief, this can accelerate the process of cartilage tissue destruction.
- Don't do recommended physical therapy exercises through "pain."Being comfortable is the key to a speedy recovery.
- Even after sustained improvement begins, do not stop physical therapy.