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 in the bone connection.
Typically, arthralgia does not cause swelling, curvature, severe pain on palpation, or redness.For significant mobility restrictionslarge jointsThe patient doesn't complain either.It also happens that even an X-ray examination does not reveal any signs of inflammation.But that doesn't make arthralgia (joint pain) innocentSymptom:It may indicate serious organic lesions and even diseases that are not related to the condition of the joint itself.
As statistics show,paininwristsand legs begin to bother every second person over 40.For people over 70 years of age:diseasesMusculoskeletal disorders are even more common – 90% of cases.
Causes of joint pain
One of the most importantReasonsThe problem is infectionacuteInfection.PainsPain can occur both before the first symptoms of the disease appear and in the early stages.In case of infectionPains all joints of the body.They retain mobility.
Post-infectioussharpJoint pain becomes noticeable 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 biliary tract, kidneys, pelvic organs, in parasitic infections - this may also be the caseJoints break.
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 not being able to get up immediately and walk quickly due to pain and a feeling of stiffness in his joints.
If the pain is paroxysmal, occurs unexpectedly, increases throughout the day and lasts for several dayswhinesB. only one joint, gouty arthritis can be suspected (uric acid crystals collect in the joint structures).
If the pain increases very slowly, affects large joints under stress (usually the knee or hip), increases with physical activity and/or is accompanied by morning stiffness, it may be due to the development of osteoarthritis (old name: osteoarthritis), i.e.h.degenerative-dystrophic processes in the joint can be assumed.
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 different classifications of joint pain.According to the localization criterion, a distinction is made between:
- 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 in the body).
Taking into account the location of the joints, arthralgia can also be general and localized.Depending on the type of lesion, the pathology can be non-inflammatory or inflammatory.
Pain that manifests itself in diseases of the musculoskeletal system is usually divided into:
- beginning (appears at the very beginning of the movement);
- mechanical (sequence of exercises, long walking, running);
- reflected (noticed in areas where there are actually no pathological changes);
- nocturnal (disrupts sleep).
Other joint pain can include:
- dull and sharp;
- permanent and temporary;
- weak, moderate and intense.
Postinflammatory and pseudoarthralgias are divided into separate groups.
Diagnosis of joint pain
To understandWhy do my leg joints hurt?Hands, the doctor prescribes a number of diagnostic procedures to the patient.First, laboratory tests are carried out:
- General blood test.Allows you to detect deviations, taking into account the type of joint damage and its severity.An increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate, which confirms the presence of inflammation, with a normal leukocyte count is a sign of rheumatic pathology.On the other hand, if leukocytes are elevated and pain in the spine and individual joints predominates, it is most likely that the disease is contagious.
- Biochemical blood test.In case of joint inflammation, they examine the levels of C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, total protein, seromucoid, diphenylamine reaction, as well as some other indicators that confirm a rheumatic diagnosis.
In addition, the following examinations may be prescribed:
- Radiography.If the joints hurt, it is mandatory, since without photos the doctor cannot carry out differential diagnosis and assess the degree of damage to the skeletal system.
- Computed tomography.Used to examine the location of inflamed areas.
- Immunoelectrophoresis.Another type of diagnosis that shows how much 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 media into the joint (contrast media must not be used).The change in the initial image gives him the opportunity to assess the presence of affected parts in hard-to-reach places of the joint.
If the doctor considers it necessary, a biopsy will be performed.
Treatment of joint pain
TreatmentArthralgia will be effective only if doctors find out the cause of the symptom and determine what disease it indicates.To relieve inflammation, the patient may be prescribed:
- Chondoprotectors.They slow the progression of osteoarthritis, block further destruction of joint cartilage and reduce inflammation.An example of such drugs from this group are combination preparations with 2 cartilage components, the substances chondroitin and glucosamine in therapeutic dosages, chondroitin sulfate 1200 mg, glucosamine 1500 mg, capsule form.These components activate regenerative processes in the cartilage, as a result of which 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.Used for infectious arthritis.
- 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 when the joint is severely inflamed and medical treatment has been ineffective.
In parallel with taking pills and 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, effective drugs are used that help forget about the symptoms of arthralgia for a long time.
Other methods for treating joint pain include:
- physiotherapy;
- Massage;
- manual therapy;
- mechanotherapy;
- joint traction with special equipment;
- Diet.
Physiotherapeutic measures are indicated for the patient:
- shockwave therapy;
- ozone therapy;
- phonophoresis;
- myostimulation and some others.
Surgical treatment
In complex cases, it is not possible to eliminate discomfort in one or more joints using non-invasive methods.Then the patient is recommended surgery.It could be:
- Arthroscopic debridement.The surgeon makes tiny incisions and uses them to remove dead tissue from the joint cavity.Modern endoscopic devices are used during the operation.
- puncture.The doctor uses a special needle to suck out accumulated fluid from the joint.
- Periarticular osteotomy.To reduce the load and improve mobility of the affected joint, the doctor files the joint bones so that they grow together at a certain angle.
- Endoprosthetics.A very serious operation that is only used when the joint can no longer be restored.A prosthesis is then installed instead.
The doctor decides individually 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, you need to pay maximum attention to proper nutrition.Your daily diet should contain all 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;
- give up bad habits;
- sleep at least 8 hours a day;
- Take regular walks in the fresh air.
- Avoid remaining in one position for a long time.
If problems still occur in the joint, an examination is necessary.If you suspect an inflammatory process, you should not self-medicate.