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 in arthralgia there is no swelling, curvature, severe pain on palpation or redness.For significant limitations in mobilitylarge jointsthe patient also does not complain.It also happens that even X-ray examination does not allow to see signs of inflammation.But that doesn't make arthralgia (joint pain) innocentsymptom:it can signal severe organic lesions and even diseases that are not related to the state of the joint itself.
As statistics show,paincthe joints of the handsand feet begin to bother every second person over the age of 40.For people over 70,diseasesmusculoskeletal system are even more common - in 90% of cases.
Causes of joint pain
One of the main onesreasonsthe problem is infectionsharpinfection.Painpain can appear both before the appearance of the first symptoms of the disease and in its early stages.In case of infectionpains all joints of the body.Their mobility is preserved.
Post-infectioussharpjoint pain is felt after:
- urogenital 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 alsobroke the joints.
Arthralgia (joint pain) often confirms the presence of rheumatic diseases.In this case, the pain syndrome is associated with changes in weather conditions.More often, the patient experiences severe discomfort in the large joints of the lower limbs.In the morning he suffers from the fact that he cannot immediately get up and walk quickly - due to pain and a feeling of stiffness in the joints.
If the pain is paroxysmal, it occurs unexpectedly, intensifies during the day and lasts for several days untilwhimperonly one joint, gouty arthritis can be suspected (uric acid crystals accumulate in the joint structures).
If the pain increases very slowly, affects large joints subjected to load (most often knee or hip), increases with physical activity and/or is accompanied by morning stiffness, the development of osteoarthritis (the old name osteoarthritis) can be assumed, i.e.degenerative-dystrophic processes in the joint.
Common causes of joint pain:
- pathology of the thyroid gland;
- meteorological dependence;
- 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 not more than five);
- polyarthralgia (discomfort occurs 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.
The pain manifested in diseases of the musculoskeletal system is conventionally divided into:
- launch (appears at the very beginning of the movement);
- mechanical (a consequence of exercise, long walking, running);
- reflected (marked in areas where there are actually no pathological changes);
- nocturnal (disturbing during night rest).
Other joint pains may include:
- blunt and sharp;
- permanent and transient;
- weak, moderate and strong.
Post-inflammatory and pseudoarthralgias are divided into separate groups.
Diagnosis of joint pain
To understandwhy do my leg joints hurt?hands, the doctor prescribes the patient a series of diagnostic procedures.To begin with, laboratory tests are taken:
- General blood test.It allows to detect deviations, taking into account the nature of joint damage and the degree of its severity.An increased sedimentation rate of erythrocytes, confirming the presence of inflammation, with a normal number of leukocytes is a sign of rheumatic pathology.If leukocytes, on the contrary, are increased, pain prevails in the spine and individual joints, most likely the nature of the disease is infectious.
- Biochemical blood test.In case of inflammation of the joints, the levels of C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, total protein, seromucoid, diphenylamine reaction, as well as some other indicators that confirm the rheumatic diagnosis are looked at.
In addition, the following examinations may be prescribed:
- Radiography.It is mandatory for painful joints, because without pictures the doctor cannot make a differential diagnosis and assess the degree of damage to the bone system.
- Computed tomography.It is used to study the location of inflamed areas.
- Immunoelectrophoresis.An additional type of diagnosis that shows how widespread rheumatoid arthritis is.
- 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 scanning.Effective in the early stages of joint diseases.
- Arthrography.The doctor injects special contrast substances into the joint (contrast may not be used).Changing the initial picture allows him to assess the presence of affected parts in hard-to-reach parts of the joint.
If the doctor deems it necessary, a biopsy is done.
Treatment of joint pain
Treatmentarthralgia will be effective only if doctors find the cause of the symptom and determine what disease it signals.To relieve inflammation, the patient may be prescribed:
- Hondoprotectors.They slow the progression of osteoarthritis, block further destruction of joint cartilage, and reduce inflammation.An example of such drugs from this group are the combined drugs containing 2 components of cartilage, 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.
- Nonsteroidal 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.
- Vitamin and mineral complexes.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 highly inflamed and drug treatment is ineffective.
Along with taking pills, intramuscular and intravenous administration of drugs, the patient can be prescribed warming, analgesic and anti-inflammatory ointments.
If the pain is unbearable, a nerve block can be performed.During the procedure, powerful drugs are used, which 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 shown to the patient:
- Shock wave therapy;
- ozone therapy;
- phonophoresis;
- myostimulation and some others.
Surgical treatment
In complex cases, it is impossible to eliminate the discomfort in the area of one or several joints with non-invasive methods.The patient is then recommended surgery.It could be:
- Arthroscopic debridement.The surgeon makes small incisions and uses them to remove dead tissue from the joint cavity.The operation involves the use of modern endoscopic equipment.
- Puncture.With the help of a special needle, the doctor withdraws the accumulated fluid from the joint.
- Periarticular osteotomy.To reduce the load and improve the mobility of the affected joint, the doctor files the joint bones so that they grow at a certain angle.
- Endoprosthetics.A very serious operation that is used only if it is no longer possible to restore the joint.Then a prosthesis is installed instead.
The doctor decides which method of treating joint pain is indicated for a particular patient individually, taking into account age, medical history, symptoms and some other factors.
Prevention
To avoid joint damage, you should pay maximum attention to proper nutrition.Your daily diet should contain all necessary vitamins and minerals.Junk food should be avoided.You should 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 to:
- do not overcool;
- lead an active lifestyle;
- give up bad habits;
- you 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.