Joint pain (arthralgia) is an important symptom in the diagnosis of certain diseases.She was the first to say that serious changes had begun at the junction of the bones.
Usually when there is joint pain there is no swelling, curvature, severe pain when palpated or redness.For significant limitations in movementlarge jointsThe patient also did not complain.It also happens that even X-ray examination does not show signs of inflammation.But that doesn't make arthrosis (joint pain) innocentsymptom:it can signal serious organic damage and even diseases unrelated to the condition of the joint.
As statistics show,painfulinhand jointsand legs begin to bother every second person over 40 years old.For people over 70 years old,illnessthe musculoskeletal system is even more common - in 90% of cases.
Causes of joint pain
The main onereasonThe problem is infectionacuteinfection.Sorenesspain can occur both before the first symptoms of the disease appear and in the early stages.In case of infectionpain all joints of the body.Mobility is preserved in them.
Post-infectionsharpJoint pain appears after:
- urinary tract infections;
- intestinal disease.
Causes of the disease also include: secondary syphilis, tuberculosis, endocarditis.If there are foci of chronic infection in the human body - in the bile ducts, kidneys, pelvic organs, infected with parasites - then it can alsojoint fracture.
Joint pain (arthralgia) often confirms the presence of rheumatic diseases.In this case, the pain syndrome is associated with changes in weather conditions.More often, patients feel severe discomfort in the large joints of the lower limbs.In the morning, he experienced an immediate inability to get up and walk quickly - due to pain and a feeling of stiffness.
If the pain is paroxysmal, it occurs suddenly, intensifies during the day and lasts for several days, whilewailonly one joint, gouty arthritis may be suspected (uric acid crystals accumulate in the joint structure).
If the pain increases very slowly, affects large joints under stress (usually the knee or hip), intensifies during physical activity and/or is accompanied by morning stiffness, then the development of osteoarthritis (formerly called osteoarthritis), that is, degenerative-dystrophic processes in the joints can be assumed.
Common causes of joint pain:
- pathology of the thyroid gland;
- weather dependence;
- heavy metal poisoning;
- frequent physical trauma;
- long-term use of certain medications;
Classification of joint pain
There are several ways to classify joint pain.According to localization criteria, the following are distinguished:
- monoarticular pain (only one joint is affected);
- arthralgia (paindifferent at the same timejoints - but not more than five);
- polyarthralgia (discomfort in more than 5 joints of the body).
In addition, taking into account the location of the joint, joint pain can be general and local.Depending on the nature of the lesion, the pathology can be non-inflammatory or inflammatory.
Pain manifested in diseases of the musculoskeletal system is divided into:
- start (appears immediately at the beginning of movement);
- mechanical (consequences of exercise, long walks, running);
- reflected (note in areas where there are practically no pathological changes);
- nocturnal (disturbance at night).
Other joint pain may include:
- dull and sharp;
- permanent and temporary;
- weak, moderate and intense.
Postinflammatory pain and pseudoarthrosis are divided into separate groups.
Diagnosis of joint pain
To understandWhy do my leg joints hurt?hand, the doctor prescribes the patient to undergo a series of diagnostic procedures.To begin, laboratory tests are performed:
- General blood test.Helps detect deviations taking into account the nature of joint damage and its severity.An increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate confirms the presence of inflammation, with a normal white blood cell count being indicative of rheumatic disease.On the contrary, if white blood cells increase and pain prevails in the spine and individual joints, the nature of the disease is likely infectious.
- Biochemical blood test.For arthritis, they look at levels of C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, total protein, serum reactivity, diphenylamine, as well as several other indicators that confirm the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis.
Additionally, the following exams may be prescribed:
- X-ray.This is mandatory in cases of joint pain, because without imaging, the doctor cannot make a differential diagnosis and assess the extent of damage to the skeletal system.
- Computed tomography.Used to study the location of inflamed areas.
- Immunoelectrophoresis.An additional diagnostic category shows how widespread the rheumatoid arthritis is.
- Arthroscopy.During the procedure, the specialist will visually examine the structure of the knee joint, its structure, and take a tissue sample from the desired area.
- Radionuclide scanning.Effective in the early stages of joint disease.
- Arthrography.The doctor injects a special contrast agent into the joint (contrast may not be used).Changing the initial image gives him the opportunity to assess the presence of affected parts in hard-to-reach parts of the joint.
If the doctor finds it necessary, a biopsy will be performed.
Treatment of joint pain
TreatmentJoint pain will only be effective if the doctor finds the cause of the symptom and determines what disease it is a sign of.To reduce inflammation, patients may be prescribed:
- Chondoprotectors.They slow the progression of osteoarthritis, prevent the destruction of joint cartilage, and reduce inflammation.An example of drugs in this group is a combination drug containing 2 cartilage components, the substances chondroitin and glucosamine in therapeutic doses, chondroitin sulfate 1200 mg, glucosamine 1500 mg, in capsule form.These components activate regenerative processes in cartilage, thanks to which pain gradually disappears and the patient's condition improves.
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.Eliminates pain and prevents the spread of inflammatory reactions.Normalizes body temperature.
- Muscle relaxants.Designed to minimize skeletal muscle stiffness.
- Antibacterial drugs.Used for arthritis of an infectious nature.
- Vitamin and mineral complex.For normal joint function and rapid recovery, vitamins A, E, C and group B are needed. Selenium, calcium, etc.is also very important.
- Hormones, steroids.They are used if the joints are severely inflamed and drug treatment is ineffective.
In parallel with taking pills, intramuscular and intravenous injections, the patient can be prescribed warming, analgesic and anti-inflammatory ointments.
If the pain is unbearable, a nerve block may be performed.During the procedure, strong drugs are used to help forget the symptoms of joint pain for a long time.
Additional joint pain treatments include:
- physical therapy;
- massage;
- manual therapy;
- mechanotherapy;
- General traction using special equipment;
- diet.
Physiotherapy procedures are indicated for patients:
- Shock wave therapy;
- ozone therapy;
- phonology;
- myostimulation and several others.
Surgical treatment
In complex cases, it is not possible to eliminate discomfort in the area of one or more joints using non-invasive methods.After that, the patient was recommended to undergo surgery.It could be:
- Arthroscopic surgery.The surgeon will make small incisions and use them to remove dead tissue from the joint cavity.Operations involve the use of modern endoscopic equipment.
- Puncture.Using a special needle, the doctor will drain the accumulated fluid from the joint.
- Perpendicular osteotomy.To reduce the load and improve the mobility of the affected joint, the doctor will file the bones of the joint so that they grow together at a certain angle.
- Endoscopy.A very serious operation, used only if the joint can no longer be restored.A prosthesis is then installed instead.
The doctor decides which joint pain treatment is prescribed for each specific patient, taking into account age, medical history, symptoms and several other factors.
prevent
To avoid joint damage, you need to 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 be too cold;
- have 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 long periods of time.
If discomfort occurs in the joints, you need to see a doctor.If you suspect an inflammatory process, you should not self-medicate.