Joint pain (arthralgia) is an important symptom in the diagnosis of numerous diseases.She is the first to say that serious changes have begun in the junction of the bones.
Usually with arthralgia there is no swelling, curvature, severe pain on palpation or redness.For significant restrictions in mobilitylarge jointsthe patient doesn't complain either.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:it can signal serious organic lesions and even diseases unrelated to the state of the joint itself.
As the statistics show,paininjoints of the handsand the legs start to bother one in two people over the age of 40.For people over 70,illnessesmusculoskeletal are even more common - in 90% of cases.
Causes of joint pain
One of the main onesreasonsthe problem is the infectionacuteinfection.Sorepain can occur both before the first symptoms of the disease appear, and in its initial stages.In case of infectionpains all joints of the body.Mobility is preserved in them.
Post-infectiousacutejoint pain is felt after:
- urogenital infections;
- intestinal diseases.
The causes of the disease also include: secondary syphilis, tuberculosis, endocarditis.If foci of chronic infections are present 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, 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 the joints.
If the pain is paroxysmal, it occurs unexpectedly, intensifies during the day and persists for several days, whilehe whimpersgouty arthritis of only one joint may be suspected (uric acid crystals accumulate in 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 arthrosis (the old name arthrosis), i.e. degenerative-dystrophic processes in the joint, can be hypothesized.
Common causes of joint pain:
- thyroid disease;
- time dependence;
- heavy metal poisoning;
- frequent physical injuries;
- long-term use of some drugs;
Classification of joint pain
There are different classifications of joint pain.Based on the localization 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 of the body).
Furthermore, taking into account the position of the joints, arthralgia can be general and localized.Depending on the nature of the lesion, the pathology can be non-inflammatory or inflamed.
The pain manifested in diseases of the musculoskeletal system is conventionally divided into:
- departure (appears at the very beginning of the movement);
- mechanical (consequence of doing exercises, walking for a long time, running);
- reflex (noted in areas where, in fact, there are no pathological changes);
- nocturnal (disturbs during night rest).
Other joint pain may include:
- dull and sharp;
- permanent and transitory;
- weak, moderate and intense.
Postinflammatory and pseudarthralgia are divided into separate groups.
Diagnosis of joint pain
To 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 performed:
- General blood test.It allows you to detect deviations taking into account the nature of joint damage and the degree of its severity.An increase in the erythrocyte sedimentation rate, which confirms the presence of inflammation, with a normal number of leukocytes is a sign of rheumatic pathology.If leukocytes, on the contrary, are elevated, pain prevails in the spine and individual joints, it is most likely that the nature of the disease is infectious.
- Biochemical blood test.For joint inflammation, they look at levels of C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, total protein, seromucoid, diphenylamine reaction, as well as some other indicators that confirm a rheumatic diagnosis.
Additionally, the following tests may be prescribed:
- X-ray.It is mandatory for painful joints, since without photographs the doctor cannot make a differential diagnosis and assess the extent of damage to the skeletal system.
- Computed tomography.Used to study the location of inflamed areas.
- Immunoelectrophoresis.Another 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 early stages of joint diseases.
- Arthrography.The doctor injects special contrast agents into the joint (contrast cannot be used).Changing the initial image gives him the opportunity to judge 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 doctors find out the cause of the symptom and determine what disease it signals.To relieve inflammation, the patient may be prescribed:
- Condoprotectors.They slow the progression of osteoarthritis, stop further destruction of joint cartilage and reduce inflammation.An example of drugs from this group are combined drugs containing 2 cartilage components, the substances chondroitin and glucosamine in therapeutic dosages, chondroitin sulfate 1200 mg, glucosamine 1500 mg, in the form of capsules.These components activate regenerative processes in the cartilage, thanks to which 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 drugs.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 very inflamed and drug treatment has been ineffective.
In parallel 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 may be performed.During the procedure, powerful drugs are used that help to forget about the symptoms of arthralgia for a long time.
Additional methods for treating joint pain include:
- physical therapy;
- 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 the area of one or more joints using non-invasive methods.Then the patient is advised 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.
- Drilling.Using a special needle, the doctor extracts 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 together at a certain angle.
- Endoprosthesis.A very serious operation, which is only used if it is no longer possible to restore the joint.Then a prosthesis is installed instead.
The doctor individually decides which method of treating joint pain is indicated for a particular patient, taking into account age, medical history, symptoms and some other factors.
Prevention
To avoid joint damage, maximum attention must be paid 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 drinking water per day - this has a positive effect on the functioning of the musculoskeletal system.
It is also important:
- do not overcool;
- lead an active lifestyle;
- abandon bad habits;
- sleep at least 8 hours a day;
- take regular walks outdoors;
- avoid staying in the same position for a long time.
If you experience discomfort in the joint, you need to undergo an examination.If you suspect an inflammatory process, you should not self-medicate.