Joint pain - symptoms, causes, treatment of the disease

Joint pain is experienced by millions of people around the world.According to the official data of the World Health Organization, more than 80% of the population suffers from joint diseases.Deterioration of the ecological situation, sedentary lifestyle, the emergence of new types of infections, the development of genetic diseases - there are many reasons for the onset of problems.

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 perform the most important functions of the body - bending, straightening, rotation, support and movement.

The appearance of pain is a direct sign of disruption of normal functionality.It is important not to ignore disturbing symptoms and start treatment in time.

There can be several reasons for joint damage:

• Physical inactivity.Along with its undeniable benefits, technological progress encourages sedentary, sedentary work.All basic operations are performed by machines;people only manage processes.This leads to atrophy of muscle tissue.The load increases and manifests itself in the form of arthralgia (Greek artron - "joint", algos - "pain").
• Increased physical activity.Occupations involving constant movement (eg builders, loaders, salesmen) are not conducive to healthy joints in any way.Heavy loads are fraught with injury and will manifest themselves with pain in the limbs and spine over the years.
• Excessive body weight.The necessary amount of oxygen stops flowing to the joints, muscle mass decreases, irreversible changes occur in cartilage tissues, and as a result, excruciating pain appears.
• Environmental conditions.Living in megacities or places with a lot of industrial enterprises - wherever harmful emissions into the atmosphere occur - has a negative effect on health.The risk of serious illness and complications increases several times.
• Poor nutrition.Eating foods that are low in vitamins and microelements necessary for the body has a negative effect 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 from.The inevitable wear and tear of the musculoskeletal system leads to diseases that cause complications in the joints.It should be noted that due to the above reasons, arthralgia is getting younger every year.

Disease types

Many people suffer from diseases and only a small part of them consult a doctor.But pain in the joints, as a rule, indicates the presence of some diseases.These can be neglected injuries, hidden inflammatory processes.Therefore, it is very important to contact a rheumatologist or orthopedist for diagnosis and timely treatment.

Classification divides diseases into inflammatory, metabolic-dystrophic and pathological.Below are the most common co-morbidities 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 occurs between the bones and the 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 genetic causes that are hereditary.

Joint bursitis - the disease affects the shoulder, knee and hip joints.Between the surfaces of the bones, excess fluid accumulates in the cavity of the synovial bursa.The inflammatory process begins, it occurs with great swelling and unbearable pain.
 

Metabolic-dystrophic diseases of joints

Gout.It is associated with increased production of uric acid against the background of impaired renal function.It often begins with the appearance of pain in the area of the thumb.The disease is characteristic of old age and people with special professions (for example, dancers).Constantly wearing uncomfortable shoes also contributes to the development of the disease.Lovers of high heels should think about it.You should not sacrifice your health for fashion trends.

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

Necrosis of joints.Disruption of blood flow to the bone.Lack of oxygen and nutrients causes bone death.First, the joint suffers.Excruciating pain and stiffness of movement can be a sign of an extremely dangerous disease.

Pathologies caused by trauma

Mechanical damage to the joint.A complication of a failed knee is therefore most often observed in the knee joints.Less often - on the elbows.Symptoms appear immediately - sharp pain, inability to bend the leg, impaired motor function.

Dislocation.Loss of resistance between the head of the bone and the ligaments causes dislocation.Transfer can be full or partial.Joint pain is accompanied by increased temperature and swelling in the dislocation area.Failure to seek medical help in time can lead to the development of necrosis and disability.

Symptoms of joint pain

One or more diseased joints determine the overall condition of the body.Symptoms are very wide and depend on the underlying cause.But there is still a standard set of symptoms that require emergency medical attention:

• Severe pain in one or more joints.
• Pain occurs at any time of the day and is short-lived.
• Discomfort and stiffness of movement occur only during the rest period - on vacation or on weekends.
• Joint pain is so severe that a person is forced to stop working.
• Appearance of lameness.
• Unreasonable weight loss.
• Increased sweating.
• Body aches.
• Constant high temperature.
• Skin rashes.
• Morning stiffness without sharp pain.
• Change in mileage.
• Muscle pain (myalgia).
• Mild pain in ligaments and tendons.

If, according to a person, the symptoms are not significant and do not cause much concern, you should consult a doctor.

Preventive examination will identify the disease at an early stage and guarantee full treatment.

Methods of disposal

1. Local preparations - ointments, gels, creams, anesthetics and patches with anti-inflammatory active substances.
2. Steroid injections have a powerful anti-inflammatory effect on the whole body.
3. Injections of hyaluronic acid - one of the components of a thick liquid cartilage, help 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. Wearing only comfortable shoes - high quality, soft, easy to bend shoes - will reduce the burden of sore feet.Rejection of high-heeled shoes, tight lengths and artificial materials.
6. Hot and cold - alternating heating pads with hot or cold water relieves spasm, reduces swelling and pain.The change must be quick to avoid overheating or hypothermia.
7. Anesthesia of problem areas - injection of anesthesia directly into the painful area.Quickly relieves unbearable pain.
8. Nerve destruction.It is used in cases where there is no positive result after other methods.The procedure is similar to the extraction of a tooth nerve.It relieves joint pain, but the disease remains.
9. Traditional medicine - herbs, honey, eggshell, bay leaf 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 in China.Acupuncture sometimes gives really impressive results.However, the implementation of such procedures requires extensive experience and professionalism.Choosing a specialist can be very time-consuming.

Prevention and treatment

Diseases are treated using the following therapy options:

• Medicine.Only inflammatory processes and pain syndromes are removed.It is impossible to eliminate the causes of the disease without additional methods.
• Physiotherapy.Warming, analgesic procedures using various effective medical equipment.Ultrasound, electrical stimulation.
• Therapeutic exercise.A set of simple special exercises is prescribed by the doctor to stimulate physical activity.
• Manual therapy.A combination of different methods of active and passive hand pressure on the knees, shoulders, hands, feet, legs, fingers, knees or elbows.This technique belongs to official treatment methods.It is useful both for prevention and for improving the condition of patients.
• Surgical intervention.It is prescribed only in desperate, advanced cases.It has many contraindications and can cause other diseases.

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

In most cases, diseases are chronic.Degenerative processes only slow down with proper treatment.

Therefore, it is easier to prevent diseases than to treat them:

• Care should be taken to treat any infection in time.
• The diet should contain a sufficient amount of vitamins, minerals and trace elements.Vitamins A, B5 and B6, C, E, as well as copper, selenium and glucosamine are especially useful for joints.
• In addition to proper nutrition, an active lifestyle, possible sports activities and daily walks will help prevent joint diseases.
• Gradual hardening of the body.

Simple steps will help prevent lengthy treatment, severe pain, and disruption to your normal lifestyle.

How to forget joint and back pain

If your joints prevent you from living and moving fully, and the most expensive drugs do not help, then you should see a professional doctor.Treatment with the advice of acquaintances and friends will not bring any results at best.In the worst case - exacerbation of the disease, transition to a chronic form, complete or partial loss of mobility.Before using a "proven" recipe, you should remember that the symptoms may be the same, but the diagnoses may be different.

The following recommendations will help you forget the pain forever:

• The treatment regimen of joints is prescribed only by a doctor;self-medication can lead to the most terrible consequences.
• Treatment should consist of several methods - medicine, physiotherapy, homeopathic, physical therapy.
• Self-diagnosis is unacceptable.
• Do not steam or rub painful joints.Despite temporary relief, this can accelerate the process of cartilage tissue destruction.
• Do not do physical therapy exercises recommended through "pain".Rest is the key to a speedy recovery.
• Do not stop physical therapy, even after the start of sustained improvement.