Joint pain (arthralgia) is an important symptom in the diagnosis of several diseases.He was the first to say that serious changes had begun at the junction of the bones.
Usually with arthralgia there is no swelling, curvature, severe pain when palpated, or redness.For significant restrictions in mobilitylarge jointsthe patient also did not complain.It also happens that even an X-ray examination does not allow signs of inflammation to be seen.But that doesn't make arthralgia (joint pain) innocentsymptoms:it can signal severe organic lesions and even diseases unrelated to the state of the joint itself.
As the statistics show,illinhand jointsand feet begin to bother every second person over the age of 40.For people over 70 years of age,diseasethe musculoskeletal system is more common - in 90% of cases.
Causes of joint pain
One of the main onesreasonthe problem is infectionacuteinfection.heartachepain can occur before the first symptoms of the disease appear and in its early stages.In case of infectionheartache all body joints.Mobility is preserved in it.
Post infectionsharpjoint pain felt after:
- urogenital infection;
- intestinal disease.
The causes of this disease also include: secondary syphilis, tuberculosis, endocarditis.If there is a focus of chronic infection in the human body - in the bile ducts, kidneys, pelvic organs, with parasitic infections - it can also bebroken joint.
Arthralgia (joint pain) often confirms the presence of rheumatic disease.In this case, the pain syndrome is associated with changes in weather conditions.Often, patients feel severe discomfort in the large joint of the lower leg.In the morning, he experienced the fact that he could not immediately get up and walk quickly - because of pain and stiffness in the joints.
If the pain is paroxysmal, occurs unexpectedly, gets stronger during the day and continues for several days, whilewhineonly one joint, gouty arthritis can be suspected (uric acid crystals accumulate in the joint structure).
If the pain increases very slowly, affects a large joint that is exposed to pressure (often the knee or hip), gets stronger with physical activity and/or is accompanied by morning stiffness, the development of osteoarthritis (the old name of osteoarthritis), i.e., a degenerative-dystrophic process in the joint, can be assumed.
Common causes of joint pain:
- pathology of the thyroid gland;
- weather dependence;
- heavy metal poisoning;
- frequent physical injuries;
- long-term use of certain medications;
Classification of joint pain
There are several classifications of joint pain.According to localization criteria, the following are distinguished:
- monoarthralgia (only one joint is affected);
- oligoarthralgia (paindifferent at the same timejoints - but not more than five);
- polyarthralgia (discomfort present in more than 5 joints of the body).
Also, taking into account the location of the joint, arthralgia can be general and localized.Depending on the nature of the lesion, the pathology can be non-inflammatory or inflammatory.
The pain shown in diseases of the musculoskeletal system is conventionally divided into:
- start (appears at the beginning of the movement);
- mechanical (due to exercise, long walks, running);
- reflected (recorded in areas where, in fact, there are no pathological changes);
- night (disturbing during night rest).
Other joint pains may include:
- dull and sharp;
- permanent and temporary;
- weak, medium and intense.
After inflammation and pseudoarthralgia are divided into separate groups.
Diagnosis of joint pain
To understandwhy do my legs hurt?hand, the doctor prescribes the patient to undergo a series of diagnostic procedures.To begin with, laboratory tests are taken:
- General blood test.Makes it possible to detect deviations by taking into account the nature of joint damage and its severity.An increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate, confirming the presence of inflammation, with a normal leukocyte count is a sign of rheumatic pathology.If leukocytes, on the other hand, are elevated, the pain dominates the individual's spine and joints, it is most likely that the nature of the disease is infectious.
- Biochemical blood test.For joint inflammation, they look at the level of C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, total protein, seromucoid, diphenylamine reaction, as well as several other indicators that confirm the diagnosis of rheumatism.
In addition, the following examinations may be prescribed:
- Radiography.It is mandatory for painful joints, because without a picture the doctor cannot carry out a differential diagnosis and assess the level of damage to the skeletal system.
- Computed tomography.Used to study the location of inflamed areas.
- Immunoelectrophoresis.An additional type of diagnosis that shows how much rheumatoid arthritis has spread.
- Arthroscopy.During the procedure, the specialist visually examines the structure of the knee joint, its structure, and takes tissue samples 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 cannot be used).Changing the initial picture gives him the opportunity to assess the presence of affected parts in hard-to-reach parts of the joint.
If the doctor deems it necessary, a biopsy is performed.
Treatment of joint pain
Treatmentarthralgia will be effective only if the doctor knows the cause of the symptoms and determines the indicated disease.To relieve inflammation, patients can be prescribed:
- Chondoprotectors.They slow the progression of osteoarthritis, prevent further destruction of articular cartilage, and reduce inflammation.An example of such a drug from this group is a combined drug containing 2 cartilage components, chondroitin and glucosamine in therapeutic doses, chondroitin sulfate 1200 mg, glucosamine 1500 mg, capsule form.This component activates the regenerative process in the cartilage, which causes the pain to gradually disappear and the patient's condition to improve.
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.Relieves pain and prevents the spread of inflammatory reactions.Normalizes body temperature.
- Relax the muscles.Designed to minimize skeletal muscle spasms.
- Antibacterial drugs.Used for infectious arthritis.
- Vitamin and mineral complex.For normal joint function and quick recovery, vitamins A, E, C, and group B are needed.Selenium, calcium, etc. are also important.
- Hormones, steroids.They are used if the joint is very inflamed, and drug treatment is ineffective.
In parallel with taking pills, intramuscular and intravenous drug administration, patients can 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:
- physical therapy;
- massage;
- manual therapy;
- mechanotherapy;
- joint traction using special equipment;
- diet.
Physiotherapy procedures are indicated for patients:
- Shock wave therapy;
- ozone therapy;
- phonophoresis;
- myostimulation and some others.
Surgical treatment
In complex cases, it is impossible to eliminate discomfort in the area of one or several joints using non-invasive methods.Then the patient is recommended to undergo surgery.It can be:
- Arthroscopic Debridement.The surgeon makes a small incision and uses it to remove dead tissue from the joint cavity.The operation involves the use of modern endoscopic equipment.
- Puncture.Using a special needle, the doctor removes the accumulated fluid from the joint.
- Periarticular osteotomy.To reduce the load and increase the mobility of the affected joint, the doctor files the articular bones so that they grow together at a certain angle.
- Endoprosthetics.A very serious operation, which is used only if it is no longer possible to restore the joint.Then the prosthesis is installed instead.
Doctors decide which method of treating joint pain is indicated for a particular patient individually, taking into account age, medical history, symptoms and several other factors.
Prevention
To avoid joint damage, you need to pay maximum attention to proper nutrition.Your daily diet should contain all the necessary vitamins and minerals.Snacks should be avoided.You need to drink about 2 liters of clean drinking water every day - this has a positive effect on the functioning of the musculoskeletal system.
It is also important:
- don't be too cold;
- lead an active lifestyle;
- abandon bad habits;
- sleep at least 8 hours a day;
- frequent walks in the fresh air;
- avoid being in one position for a long time.
If joint discomfort occurs, you need to undergo an examination.If you suspect an inflammatory process, you should not self-medicate.