Joint pain (arthralgia) is an important symptom in the diagnosis of several diseases.She is the first to say that serious changes began at the junction of the bones.
Generally, in arthralgia there is no swelling, curvature, intense pain on palpation or redness.For significant restrictions on mobilitylarge jointsthe patient also does not complain.It also happens that even an X-ray examination does not allow you to see signs of inflammation.But that doesn't make arthralgia (joint pain) innocent.symptom:can signal serious organic damage and even diseases that are not related to the state of the joint itself.
As statistics show,paininhand jointsand legs begin to bother every second person over 40.For people over 70,illnessesmusculoskeletal system are even more common - in 90% of cases.
Causes of joint pain
One of the mainreasonsthe problem is infectionacuteinfection.SorePain can occur before the first symptoms of the disease appear and in its early stages.In case of infectionpain all joints in 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, with 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 morning, he suffers from the fact that he cannot get up immediately and walk quickly - due to pain and a feeling of stiffness in his joints.
If the pain is paroxysmal, occurs unexpectedly, intensifies during the day and persists for several days, whilewhiningGouty arthritis may be suspected in just one joint (uric acid crystals accumulate in the joint structures).
If the pain increases very slowly, affecting large joints exposed to stress (most often the knee or hip), intensifying with physical activity and/or 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:
- thyroid gland pathology;
- climate dependence;
- heavy metal poisoning;
- frequent physical injuries;
- prolonged use of certain medications;
Classification of joint pain
There are several classifications of joint pain.According to the location criterion, the following are distinguished:
- monoarthralgia (only one joint is affected);
- oligoarthralgia (paindifferent at the same timejoints - but no more than five);
- polyarthralgia (discomfort is present in more than 5 joints in the body).
Furthermore, given the location of the joints, arthralgia can be general and localized.Depending on the nature of the injury, the pathology may be non-inflammatory or inflamed.
Pain manifested in diseases of the musculoskeletal system is conventionally divided into:
- starting (appears right at the beginning of the movement);
- mechanics (consequence of exercising, long walks, running);
- reflected (observed in areas where, in fact, there are no pathological changes);
- nocturnal (disturbances during night rest).
Other joint pain may include:
- opaque and sharp;
- permanent and transitory;
- weak, moderate and intense.
Post-inflammatory and pseudoarthralgia 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 carried out:
- General blood test.It allows detecting deviations taking into account the nature of the joint injury and the degree of its 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 contrary, are elevated, pain predominates in the spine and individual joints, the nature of the disease is most likely infectious.
- Biochemical blood test.For joint inflammation, the levels of C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, total protein, seromucoid, reaction to diphenylamine, as well as some other indicators that confirm the rheumatic diagnosis, are observed.
Additionally, the following examinations may be prescribed:
- Radiography.It is mandatory for joint pain, since without photographs the doctor cannot make a differential diagnosis and assess the degree 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 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 scanning.Effective in the initial 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 assess the presence of affected parts in hard-to-reach parts of the joint.
If the doctor deems it necessary, a biopsy is performed.
Joint pain treatment
Treatmentarthralgia will only be effective if doctors find the cause of the symptom and determine what disease it signals.To relieve inflammation, the patient may be prescribed:
- Chondoprotectors.They slow the progression of osteoarthritis, block further destruction of articular cartilage, and reduce inflammation.An example of such medicines from this group are combined medicines containing 2 cartilage components, the substances chondroitin and glucosamine in therapeutic dosages, chondroitin sulfate 1200 mg, glucosamine 1500 mg, in capsule form.These components activate regenerative processes in the cartilage, as a result of 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 medications.Used for arthritis of an infectious nature.
- Vitamin and mineral complexes.For the normal functioning of 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 treatment is ineffective.
In parallel with taking pills, intramuscular and intravenous administration of medications, 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, potent medications are used that help you forget about the symptoms of arthralgia for a long time.
Additional methods of treating joint pain include:
- physiotherapy;
- massage;
- manual therapy;
- mechanotherapy;
- joint traction with 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 the area of one or more joints using non-invasive methods.Then the patient is recommended to undergo 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.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.
- Endoprostheses.A very serious operation, which is only used if it is no longer possible to restore the joint.Then a prosthesis is installed.
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 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 water per day - this has a positive effect on the functioning of the musculoskeletal system.
Also important:
- do not overcool;
- 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 the same position for a long time.
If discomfort occurs in the joint, you will need to have it checked out.If you suspect an inflammatory process, you should not self-medicate.