Joint pain: signs of disease, causes, treatment

Joint pain is experienced by millions of people around the world.According to official data from the World Health Organization, over 80% of the population suffers from joint diseases.Ecological degradation, sedentary lifestyle, the appearance of new types of infections, the development of genetic diseases - the reasons why problems begin are many.

Causes of pain

Joints are moving parts of the skeleton that connect all the bones of the musculoskeletal system.Without them it is impossible to carry out the most important functions of the body: bending, straightening, rotation, support and movement.

The appearance of pain is a direct sign of a violation of normal functionality.It is important not to ignore the alarming symptoms and start treatment on time.

There may be several reasons why joints hurt:

• Physical inactivity.Technological progress, along with undeniable advantages, promotes sedentary and sedentary work.All basic operations are performed by machines;humans only control the processes.This leads to atrophy of muscle tissue.The load increases and manifests itself in the form of arthralgia (from the Greek arthron - "joint", algos - "pain").
• Increased physical activity.Professions related to constant movement (e.g. bricklayers, loaders, salesmen) do not contribute in any way to joint health.Severe loads are fraught with injury and over the years will manifest themselves with pain in the limbs and spine.
• Excess body weight.The necessary amount of oxygen ceases to flow into the joints, muscle mass decreases, irreversible changes occur in the cartilaginous tissues and, as a result, aching pain appears.
• Environmental conditions.Living in megacities or places with a large concentration of industrial enterprises - wherever harmful emissions into the atmosphere occur - has negative effects on health.The risk of becoming seriously ill and having complications increases several times.
• Bad nutrition.Eating foods poor in vitamins and microelements necessary for the body has a negative impact on the general condition of the body.This immediately affects the mobility of the connecting parts.Discomfort and pain appear.
• Age.The older a person is, the more pain they suffer.The inevitable wear and tear of the musculoskeletal system leads to diseases that cause joint complications.It is worth noting that arthralgia becomes younger every year for the above reasons.

Types of diseases

Many people suffer from illnesses and only a small proportion go to the doctor.But pain in the joints, as a rule, indicates the presence of some disease.These may be overlooked lesions, hidden inflammatory processes.Therefore, it is so important to contact a rheumatologist or orthopedist for diagnosis and timely treatment.

The classification divides diseases into inflammatory, metabolic-dystrophic and pathological.Below are the most common joint diseases of each group, according to WHO statistics.

Inflammatory diseases

Arthritis is the most common disease, characterized by the destruction of cartilage tissue.Due to arthritis, friction between the bones appears and an inflammatory process occurs.As the disease progresses, mobility is lost, edema and swelling appear.It affects all species, both small and large.It often has hereditary genetic causes.

Joint bursitis: The disease affects the shoulder, knee and hip joints.Between the surfaces of the bones, in the cavity of the synovial bag, excess fluid accumulates.The inflammatory process begins, which is manifested by large swelling and excruciating pain.
 

Metabolic-dystrophic diseases of the joints

Gout.Associated with increased production of uric acid, against the background of impaired renal function.Most often it begins with the appearance of pain in the area of the big toes.The disease is typical of the elderly and people who carry out specific professions (for example, dancers).Constantly wearing uncomfortable shoes also contributes to the development of the disease.High heels lovers should think about it.You should not sacrifice your health to fashion trends.

Arthrosis.Bone deformation due to cartilage tissue disease.Dystrophic processes are accompanied by severe pain.

Joint necrosis.Impaired blood flow to the bones.Lack of oxygen and nutrients leads to bone death.The joint suffers first.Aching pain and stiffness of movements can become signs of an extremely dangerous disease.

Pathologies due to trauma

Mechanical damage to the joint.Therefore, a complication of an unsuccessful fall is most often observed in the knee joints.Less often - at the elbows.Symptoms appear immediately: sharp pain, inability to bend the leg, impaired motor function.

Dislocation.Loss of strength between the head of the bone and the ligaments leads to dislocation.The displacement can be total or partial.Joint pain is accompanied by increased temperature and swelling in the area of dislocation.Failure to promptly seek medical attention can result in the development of necrosis and disability.

Symptoms of joint pain

One or more diseased joints determine the general condition of the body.The symptoms are very broad and depend on the underlying cause.But there is still a standard set of signs that should require immediate medical attention:

• Severe pain in one or more joints.
• The pain occurs at any time of the day and is short-lived.
• Discomfort and stiffness of movements occur only during periods of rest, on vacation or on weekends.
• The joint pain is so severe that the person is forced to stop working.
• Appearance of lameness.
• Unreasonable weight loss.
• Increased sweating.
• Muscle pain.
• Sustained high temperature.
• Skin rashes.
• Morning stiffness, without pronounced pain.
• Change in gait.
• Muscle pain (myalgia).
• Mild pain in ligaments and tendons.

Even if, in a person's opinion, the symptoms are not significant and do not cause much discomfort, you should consult a doctor.

A preventive examination will help identify the disease at an early stage and ensure complete cure.

Disposal methods

1. Local preparations – ointments, gels, creams, plasters containing anesthetics and anti-inflammatory active ingredients.
2. Steroid injections have a powerful anti-inflammatory effect throughout the body.
3. Hyaluronic acid injections - a thick liquid is one of the components of cartilage, helps to cope with inflammatory processes.
4. Physical therapy is a set of exercises that help maintain muscle tone and build muscle mass around painful joints.
5. Wear only comfortable shoes: high-quality, soft and easily foldable shoes will reduce the load on sore feet.Refusal of high heels, narrow shapes and artificial materials.
6. Hot and Cold: Alternating heating pads with hot or cold water relieves spasms, reduces swelling and pain.The change must be rapid to avoid overheating or hypothermia.
7. Anesthesia of problem areas: an injection of anesthetic directly into the painful spot.Quickly relieves excruciating pain.
8. Destruction of nerves.It is used in cases where positive results are not achieved after other methods.The procedure is similar to dental nerve removal.Relieves joint pain, but the disease remains.
9. Traditional medicine: aromatic herbs, honey, eggshells, bay leaves and alcohol.There are many recipes for preparing medicinal tinctures and mixtures.They should not be used without consulting your doctor.
10. Acupuncture is traditional medicine, only Chinese.Acupuncture sometimes produces truly impressive results.But carrying out such procedures requires extensive experience and professionalism.Choosing a specialist can be very long.

Prevention and treatment

Diseases are treated using the following therapeutic options:

• Drug.Only inflammatory processes and painful syndromes are removed.Without additional techniques, the causes of the disease cannot be eliminated.
• Physiotherapeutic.Heating procedures and analgesics using medical equipment of various effects.Ultrasound, electrical stimulation.
• Therapeutic exercise.The doctor prescribes a series of simple special exercises to stimulate physical activity.
• Manual therapy.A combination of various active and passive manual pressure techniques on the knees, shoulders, hands, feet, legs, fingers, knees or elbows.This technique refers to the official methods of treatment.It is useful for both prevention and improvement of patients' conditions.
• Surgery.It is prescribed only in advanced and hopeless cases.It has many contraindications and can cause other diseases.

Only after making the diagnosis and determining the causes, the attending physician prescribes a treatment regimen using one or another technique.

The diseases in most cases are chronic.With proper treatment, degenerative processes only slow down.

Therefore, diseases are much easier to prevent than cure:

• Care should be taken to treat any infections promptly.
• The diet should contain sufficient amounts of vitamins, minerals and trace elements.Vitamins A, B5 and B6, C, E, as well as copper, selenium and glucosamine are particularly beneficial for the joints.
• In addition to proper nutrition, maintaining an active lifestyle, feasible sporting activity and daily walks will help prevent joint diseases.
• Gradual hardening of the body.

Simple steps will help prevent long treatments, severe pain and disruption to your usual lifestyle.

How to forget about joint and back pain

If your joints prevent you from living and moving fully and more expensive medications do not help you, then you should consult a professional doctor.Treatment on the advice of acquaintances and friends, at best, will not give any results.In the worst case: exacerbation of the disease, transition to a chronic form, complete or partial loss of mobility.Before using a “proven” prescription, you should remember that the symptoms may be identical, but the diagnoses may be different.

The following recommendations will help you forget about pain forever:

• The treatment regimen for joints is prescribed only by a doctor;self-medication can have the most disastrous consequences.
• Treatment should include several methods: medications, physiotherapy, homeopathy, physical therapy.
• Self-diagnosis is unacceptable.
• Do not steam or rub sore joints.Despite temporary relief, this can speed up the process of destroying cartilage tissue.
• Do not perform recommended physical therapy exercises through "pain."Feeling comfortable is the key to a speedy recovery.
• Even after sustainable improvement begins, do not stop physical therapy.