Joint pain (arthralgia) is an important symptom in the diagnosis of several diseases.She is the first to say that serious changes have begun in the connection of the bones.
Typically, with arthralgia there is no swelling, curvature, severe tenderness, or redness.Due to significant mobility restrictionslarge jointsThe patient does not complain either.It also happens that even an X-ray examination cannot detect signs of inflammation.But that doesn't mean arthralgia (joint pain) is innocent.symptom:It can indicate serious organic injuries and even diseases that are not related to the condition of the joint itself.
As the statistics show,paininhand jointsand the legs begin to bother one in two people over 40 years of age.For people over 70 years old,diseasesThe musculoskeletal system is even more common: in 90% of cases.
Causes of joint pain
One of the mainreasonsthe problem is infectionsharpinfection.sorePain can occur both before the first symptoms of the disease appear and in its early stages.In case of infectionpains all joints of the body.Mobility is preserved in them.
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, in parasitic infections), it can alsobreak 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 feels severe discomfort in the large joints of the lower extremities.In the mornings he suffers because he cannot get up immediately and walk quickly, due to pain and a feeling of stiffness in his joints.
If the pain is paroxysmal, it occurs unexpectedly, intensifies during the day and persists for several days, whilecomplainsGouty arthritis can only be suspected in a joint (uric acid crystals accumulate in the joint structures).
If the pain increases very slowly, affects large joints exposed to stress (most often the knee or hip), intensifies with physical activity and/or is accompanied by morning stiffness, the development of osteoarthritis (the old name for osteoarthritis) can be assumed, that is, degenerative-dystrophic processes in the joint.
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 the location criteria, the following are distinguished:
- monoarthralgia (only one joint is affected);
- oligoarthralgia (paindifferent at the same timejoints, but not more than five);
- polyarthralgia (discomfort is present in more than 5 joints of the body).
Furthermore, taking into account the location of the joints, arthralgias can be general and localized.Depending on the nature of the lesion, the pathology can be inflammatory or non-inflammatory.
Pain manifested in diseases of the musculoskeletal system is conventionally divided into:
- beginning (appears at the beginning of the movement);
- mechanical (consequence of doing exercises, walking a lot, running);
- reflected (observed in areas where, in fact, there are no pathological changes);
- nocturnal (annoying during night rest).
Other joint pain may include:
- boring and sharp;
- permanent and transitory;
- weak, moderate and intense.
Post-inflammatory and pseudoarthralgia are divided into separate groups.
Diagnosis of joint pain.
understandWhy do my leg joints hurt?hands, the doctor prescribes the patient to undergo a series of diagnostic procedures.To begin with, laboratory tests are carried out:
- General blood tests.It allows deviations to be detected taking into account the nature of the joint damage and the degree of severity.An increase in the erythrocyte sedimentation rate, confirming the presence of inflammation, with a normal number of leukocytes is a sign of rheumatic pathology.If leukocytes, on the other hand, are elevated, pain in the spine and individual joints predominates, most likely the nature of the disease is infectious.
- Biochemical blood test.For joint inflammation, the levels of C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, total protein, seromucoid, diphenylamine reaction, as well as some other indicators confirming a rheumatic diagnosis, are observed.
Additionally, the following examinations may be prescribed:
- Radiography.It is mandatory for painful joints, since without photographs the doctor cannot make a differential diagnosis and assess the degree of damage to the skeletal system.
- Computed tomography.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.
- Exploration with radionuclides.Effective in the early stages of joint diseases.
- Arthrography.The doctor injects special contrast agents into the joint (contrast cannot be used).Changing the initial image gives you the opportunity to judge the presence of affected parts in hard-to-reach parts of the joint.
If the doctor considers it necessary, a biopsy is performed.
Joint pain treatment
TreatmentArthralgia will be effective only if doctors discover the cause of the symptom and determine what disease it indicates.To relieve inflammation, the patient may be prescribed:
- Condoprotectors.They slow the progression of osteoarthritis, block further destruction of articular cartilage and reduce inflammation.An example of these drugs from this group are combined drugs 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 the cartilage, so the pain gradually disappears and the patient's condition improves.
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.Eliminates pain and prevents the spread of inflammatory reactions.Normalizes body temperature.
- Muscle relaxants.Designed to minimize skeletal muscle stiffness.
- Antibacterial medications.Used for arthritis of an infectious nature.
- Vitamin and mineral complexes.For the normal functioning of the joints and their prompt 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 swollen and drug treatment has been ineffective.
In parallel with taking pills, intramuscular and intravenous administration of medications, the patient can be prescribed warm, analgesic and anti-inflammatory ointments.
If the pain is unbearable, a nerve block may be performed.During the procedure, powerful medications are used that help to forget about the symptoms of arthralgia for a long time.
Additional methods of treating joint pain include:
- physiotherapy;
- massage;
- manual therapy;
- mechanotherapy;
- joint traction using special equipment;
- diet.
Physiotherapeutic procedures are indicated for the patient:
- Shock wave therapy;
- ozone therapy;
- phonophoresis;
- myostimulation and some others.
Surgical treatment
In complex cases, it is impossible to eliminate discomfort in one or more joints using non-invasive methods.The patient is then recommended to undergo surgery.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.Using a special needle, the doctor removes the fluid accumulated in the joint.
- Periarticular osteotomy.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.
- Endoprosthesis.A very serious operation that is used only if it is no longer possible to restore the joint.A prosthesis is then installed.
The doctor decides which method of joint pain treatment is indicated for a particular patient on an individual basis, taking into account age, medical history, symptoms and some other factors.
Prevention
To avoid damage to the joints, maximum attention should be paid to proper nutrition.Your daily diet should contain all the necessary vitamins and minerals.Junk food should be avoided.It is necessary to drink about 2 liters of drinking water a day;This has a positive effect on the functioning of the musculoskeletal system.
It is also important:
- do not cool too much;
- lead an active lifestyle;
- abandon 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 in the joint still occurs, it is necessary to undergo an examination.If you suspect an inflammatory process, you should not self-medicate.