Joint pain (arthralgia) is an important symptom in the diagnosis of a number of diseases.She is the first to say that serious changes have begun at the junction of the bones.
Usually with arthralgia there is no swelling, curvature, severe pain on palpation or redness.For significant mobility restrictionslarge jointsnor does the patient complain.It also happens that even an X-ray does not allow to see signs of inflammation.But that doesn't make arthralgia (joint pain) innocentsymptom:it can signal serious organic damage and even diseases unrelated to the condition of the joint itself.
As statistics show,paininhand jointsand feet begin to bother every second person over the age of 40.For people over 70,diseasesmusculoskeletal system is even more common - in 90% of cases.
Causes of joint pain
One of the main onesreasonsthe problem is contaminationacutecontamination.Hurtingpain can appear both before the first symptoms of the disease appear and in its initial stages.In case of infectionpains all joints of the body.Mobility is preserved in them.
Post-infectioussharpJoint pain is felt after:
- genitourinary infections;
- intestinal diseases.
The causes of the disease also include: secondary syphilis, tuberculosis, endocarditis.If there are foci of chronic infections in the human body - in the bile ducts, kidneys, pelvic organs, with parasitic infections - it can alsobreak the joints.
Arthralgia (pain in the joints) often confirms the presence of rheumatic diseases.In this case, the pain syndrome is associated with changes in weather conditions.More often, the patient feels severe discomfort in the large joints of the lower limbs.In the mornings, he suffers from the fact that he cannot get up immediately and walk quickly - due to pain and a feeling of stiffness in the joints.
If the pain is paroxysmal, it appears unexpectedly, intensifies during the day and persists for several days, whilehe moansonly one joint, gout can be suspected (uric acid crystals accumulate in joint structures).
If the pain increases very slowly, affecting large joints exposed to stress (often the knee or hip), intensifies with physical activity and/or is accompanied by morning stiffness, the development of osteoarthritis (the old name osteoarthritis), i.e. degenerative-dystrophic processes in the joint, can be assumed.
Common causes of joint pain:
- pathology of the thyroid gland;
- weather dependent.
- heavy metal poisoning.
- frequent physical injuries.
- long-term use of certain drugs.
Classification of joint pain
There are several classifications of joint pain.According to the localization criterion, the following are distinguished:
- monoarthralgia (only one joint is affected);
- oligoarthralgia (paindifferent at the same timejoints - but no more than five).
- polyarthralgia (discomfort in more than 5 joints of the body);
Also, taking into account the location of the joints, arthralgia can be general and localized.Depending on the nature of the lesion, the pathology can be non-inflammatory or inflammatory.
Pain manifested in diseases of the musculoskeletal system is conventionally divided into:
- start (appears at the start of movement).
- mechanics (consequence of exercise, a lot of walking, running).
- reflected (marked in areas where, in fact, there are no pathological changes).
- nocturnal (disorders during night rest).
Other joint pains may include:
- dull and sharp;
- permanent and transient;
- weak, medium and strong.
Post-inflammatory and pseudoarthralgia are divided into separate groups.
Diagnosis of joint pain
To understandwhy do my foot joints hurt?hands, the doctor prescribes the patient to undergo a series of diagnostic procedures.Initially, laboratory tests are carried out:
- General blood test.It allows to identify deviations taking into account the nature of joint damage and its degree of severity.An increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate, which confirms the presence of inflammation, with a normal number of leukocytes is a sign of rheumatic pathology.If leukocytes, on the contrary, are increased, pain in the spine and individual joints predominates, it is most likely that the nature of the disease is infectious.
- Biochemical blood test.For joint inflammation, they look at levels of C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, total protein, serum, diphenylamine reaction, as well as some other markers that confirm a rheumatic diagnosis.
In addition, the following tests may be prescribed:
- X-ray.It is mandatory for painful joints, since without photos the doctor cannot make a differential diagnosis and assess the degree of damage to the skeletal system.
- CT scan.It is used to study the location of inflamed areas.
- Immunoelectrophoresis.An additional type of diagnosis that shows how far rheumatoid arthritis has spread.
- Arthroscopy.During the procedure, the specialist visually examines the structure of the knee joint, its structure and takes a tissue sample from the desired area.
- Radionuclide scan.Effective in the initial stages of joint diseases.
- Articleography.The doctor injects special contrast agents into the joint (no contrast agent can be used).Changing the initial image gives him the opportunity to judge the presence of affected parts in hard-to-reach places of the joint.
If the doctor deems it necessary, a biopsy is performed.
Treatment of joint pain
Treatmentarthralgia will be effective only if doctors discover the cause of the symptom and determine what disease it signals.To relieve inflammation, the patient can be prescribed:
- Thickeners.They slow the progression of osteoarthritis, prevent further destruction of articular cartilage and reduce inflammation.An example of such drugs from this group are combination drugs containing 2 cartilage components, the substances chondroitin and glucosamine in therapeutic doses, chondroitin sulfate 1200 mg, glucosamine 1500 mg, capsule form.These components activate the regenerative processes in the cartilage, due to which the pain gradually disappears and the patient's condition improves.
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.Eliminate pain and prevent the spread of inflammatory reactions.Normalizes body temperature.
- Muscle relaxants.Designed to minimize skeletal muscle stiffness.
- Antibacterial drugs.It is used for arthritis of an infectious nature.
- Complexes of vitamins and minerals.For the normal functioning of the joints and their rapid recovery, vitamins A, E, C and group B are necessary. Selenium, calcium, etc. are also important.
- Hormones, steroids.They are used if the joint is very inflamed and drug therapy has been ineffective.
Along with taking pills, intramuscular and intravenous medication, the patient may be prescribed warming, analgesic and anti-inflammatory ointments.
If the pain is unbearable, a nerve block can be done.During the procedure, strong drugs are used that help to forget the symptoms of arthralgia for a long time.
Additional methods of treating joint pain include:
- Physiotherapy;
- massage;
- manual therapy;
- mechanical therapy?
- joint traction using special equipment.
- diet.
Physiotherapy procedures are indicated for the patient:
- Shockwave therapy?
- ozone therapy;
- phonophoresis?
- muscle stimulation and some others.
Surgical treatment
In complicated cases, it is impossible to eliminate discomfort in the area of one or more joints using non-invasive methods.The patient is then advised to undergo surgery.It could be:
- Arthroscopic cleaning.The surgeon makes tiny incisions and uses them to remove dead tissue from the joint cavity.The operation involves the use of modern endoscopic equipment.
- Puncture.Using a special needle, the doctor draws the accumulated fluid from the joint.
- Periarticular osteotomy.In order to reduce the load and improve the mobility of the affected joint, the doctor files the articular bones so that they grow together at a certain angle.
- Endoprosthetic.A very serious operation, which is used only if it is no longer possible to restore the joint.An intention is then placed.
The doctor decides which method of treating joint pain is suitable for a particular patient individually, taking into account age, medical history, symptoms and some other factors.
Prevention
To avoid damage to the joints, you must pay maximum attention to proper nutrition.Your daily diet should contain all the necessary vitamins and minerals.Junk food should be avoided.You need to drink about 2 liters of clean drinking water per day - this has a positive effect on the functioning of the musculoskeletal system.
It is also important:
- don't get too cold;
- lead an active lifestyle.
- give up bad habits.
- sleep at least 8 hours a day.
- take regular walks in the fresh air.
- avoid staying in one position for a long time.
If discomfort occurs in the joint, you should undergo an examination.If you suspect an inflammatory process, you should not self-medicate.