Joint pain (arthralgia) is an important symptom in the diagnosis of a number of diseases.He was the first to say that serious changes began at the junction of the bones.
Usually, with arthralgia, there is no swelling, curvature, severe pain or redness during palpation.For significant limitations in movementlarge jointsthe patient does not complain.It happens that even X-ray examination does not allow to see signs of inflammation.But this does not make arthralgia (joint pain) innocentsymptom:it can signal severe organic lesions and even diseases unrelated to the condition of the joint itself.
As statistics show,paininhand jointsand legs begin to bother every second person over 40 years old.For people over 70,diseasesthe musculoskeletal system is more common - in 90% of cases.
Causes of joint pain
One of the basicsreasonsthe problem is infectionsharpinfection.Painfulpain 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.Mobility is preserved in them.
Post-infectionsharpjoint pain is felt after:
- urogenital infections;
- intestinal diseases.
Causes of the disease include: secondary syphilis, tuberculosis, endocarditis.If there are centers of chronic infection in the human body - in the bile ducts, kidneys, pelvic organs, with parasitic infections - this can also happen.break joints.
Arthralgia (joint pain) often confirms the presence of rheumatic diseases.In this case, the pain syndrome is associated with a change in weather conditions.More often, the patient feels severe discomfort in the large joints of the lower limbs.In the mornings, he suffers from not being able to get up and walk quickly - due to pain and stiffness in the joints.
If the pain is paroxysmal, it occurs unexpectedly, intensifies during the day and lasts for several days.it whinesonly one joint, gouty arthritis can be suspected (uric acid crystals accumulate in joint structures).
If the pain increases very slowly, affects large joints exposed to stress (most often knee or hip), is aggravated by physical activity and/or is accompanied by morning stiffness, the development of osteoarthritis (old name osteoarthritis), that is, degenerative-dystrophic processes in the joint, may be suspected.
Common causes of joint pain:
- pathology of the thyroid gland;
- weather dependence;
- heavy metal poisoning;
- frequent physical injuries;
- long-term use of certain drugs;
Classification of joint pain
There are several classifications of joint pain.According to the localization criteria, the following are distinguished:
- monoarthralgia (only one joint is affected);
- oligoarthralgia (paindifferent at the same timejoints - but not more than five);
- polyarthralgia (discomfort in more than 5 joints of the body).
Also, taking into account the location of the joints, arthralgia can be general and local.Depending on the nature of the lesion, the pathology can be non-inflammatory or inflammatory.
Pain manifested in diseases of the musculoskeletal system is conventionally divided into the following:
- beginning (appears at the very beginning of the movement);
- mechanical (the result of training, long walking, running);
- is reflected (in fact, it is noted where there are no pathological changes);
- at night (disturbing during night rest).
Other joint pains may include:
- dull and sharp;
- permanent and temporary;
- weak, medium and intense.
Post-inflammatory and pseudoarthralgia are divided into separate groups.
Diagnosis of joint pain
To understandwhy do my ankles hurt?hands, the doctor prescribes the patient to undergo a series of diagnostic procedures.To begin with, laboratory tests are carried out:
- General blood test.It allows you to detect deviations, taking into account the nature and severity of joint damage.An increase in the sedimentation rate of erythrocytes, which confirms the presence of inflammation with a normal number of leukocytes, is a sign of rheumatic pathology.If leukocytes, on the other hand, rise, and pain prevails in the spine and individual joints, the nature of the disease is likely to be infectious.
- Biochemical blood test.For joint inflammation, they look at the level of C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, total protein, seromucoid, diphenylamine reaction, as well as some other indicators that confirm the rheumatic diagnosis.
In addition, the following examinations may be prescribed:
- Radiography.It is mandatory for painful joints, because without photographs the doctor cannot make a differential diagnosis and assess the degree of damage to the skeletal system.
- Computed tomography.It is used to find out the location of inflamed areas.
- Immunoelectrophoresis.An additional type of diagnosis that shows how widespread rheumatoid arthritis is.
- Arthroscopy.During the procedure, the specialist visually inspects the structure of the knee joint, its structure, and takes a tissue sample from the desired area.
- Radionuclide scanning.It is effective in the early stages of joint diseases.
- Arthrography.The doctor injects special contrast agents into the joint (contrast may not be used).Changing the initial image allows him to judge the presence of affected parts in hard-to-reach parts of the joint.
If the doctor considers it necessary, a biopsy is performed.
Treatment of joint pain
Treatmentarthralgia will be effective only when doctors learn the cause of the symptom and determine what disease it signals.To eliminate inflammation, the patient may be prescribed the following:
- Chondroprotectors.They slow down the progression of osteoarthritis, prevent further destruction of joint cartilage, and reduce inflammation.Examples of such drugs from this group include combination drugs with 2 components of cartilage tissue, chondroitin and glucosamine substances in therapeutic doses, chondroitin sulfate 1200 mg, glucosamine 1500 mg, drugs in capsule form.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.Relieve pain and prevent the spread of inflammatory reactions.Normalizes body temperature.
- Muscle relaxants.Designed to minimize skeletal muscle stiffness.
- Antibacterial preparations.It is used for arthritis of an infectious nature.
- Vitamin and mineral complexes.Vitamins A, E, C and B are necessary for the normal functioning of joints and their rapid recovery.Selenium, calcium, etc.
- Hormones, steroids.They are used when the joint is very inflamed and drug treatment is ineffective.
Warming, analgesic and anti-inflammatory ointments can be prescribed to the patient in parallel with taking pills, intramuscular and intravenous administration of drugs.
If the pain is unbearable, a nerve block can be done.During the procedure, strong drugs are used that help to forget 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.
Physiotherapy procedures are indicated for the patient:
- shock wave therapy;
- ozone therapy;
- phonophoresis;
- myostimulation and others.
Surgical treatment
In complex cases, it is not possible to remove discomfort in one or more joint areas using non-invasive methods.Then surgical intervention is recommended to the patient.It can 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 accumulated fluid from the joint.
- Periarticular osteotomy.To reduce the load on the affected joint and improve its mobility, the doctor files the articular bones to enlarge them at a certain angle.
- Endoprostheses.A very serious operation that is used only when the joint cannot be restored.Then a prosthesis is placed in its place.
The doctor decides which method of joint pain treatment is indicated individually for a particular patient, taking into account age, medical history, symptoms and some other factors.
Prevention
In order not to damage the joint, it is necessary to pay maximum attention to proper nutrition.Your daily diet should contain all the necessary vitamins and minerals.Harmful foods should be avoided.It is necessary to drink about 2 liters of clean drinking water per day - this has a positive effect on the functioning of the musculoskeletal system.
This 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 staying in one position for long periods of time.
If there is discomfort in the joint, you should undergo an examination.If you suspect an inflammatory process, you should not self-medicate.