Joint pain (arthralgia) is an important symptom in the diagnosis of a number of diseases.She was the first to say that serious changes had begun at the junction of the bones.
Usually in arthralgia there is no swelling, curvature, severe pain on palpation or redness.For significant limitations in mobilitylarge jointsthe patient doesn't complain either.It also happens that even an X-ray examination does not allow to see signs of inflammation.But that doesn't make arthralgia (joint pain) innocentsymptom:it can signal serious organic lesions and even diseases that are not related to the condition of the joint itself.
As statistics show,paininhand jointsand legs start to bother every other person over 40 years old.For people over 70,diseasesof the musculoskeletal system are even more common - in 90% of cases.
Causes of joint pain
One of the main onesreasonsthe problem is infectionacuteinfection.Achingpain can occur even before the appearance of the first symptoms of the disease and in the early stages.In case of infectionpains all joints of the body.Mobility is preserved in them.
Post-infectioussharpjoint pain is felt after:
- urogenital infections;
- intestinal diseases.
The causes of the disease are: secondary syphilis, tuberculosis, endocarditis.If there are foci of chronic infections in the human body - in the bile ducts, kidneys, pelvic organs, with parasitic infections - it can alsobreak the joints.
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 the fact that he cannot immediately get up and walk quickly - due to pain and stiffness in his joints.
If the pain is paroxysmal, it occurs unexpectedly, intensifies during the day and lasts for several days, whilehe whinesonly one joint can be suspected, gouty arthritis (uric acid crystals accumulate in joint structures).
If the pain grows very slowly, affecting large joints exposed to stress (most often knee or hip), intensifying with physical activity and/or accompanied by morning stiffness, the development of osteoarthritis (the old name osteoarthritis), i.e. degenerative-dystrophic processes in the joint, can be assumed.
Common causes of joint pain:
- pathology of the thyroid gland;
- dependence on weather conditions;
- 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 criterion, the following are distinguished:
- monoarthralgia (only one joint is affected);
- oligoarthralgia (paindifferent at the same timejoints - but not more than five);
- polyarthralgia (discomfort is present in more than 5 joints of the body).
Also, taking into account the location of the joints, arthralgia can be general and localized.Depending on the nature of the lesion, the pathology can be non-inflammatory or inflamed.
Pain manifested in diseases of the musculoskeletal system is conventionally divided into:
- beginning (appears at the very beginning of the movement);
- mechanical (as a result of performing exercises, long walking, running);
- reflected (observed in areas where, in fact, there are no pathological changes);
- nocturnal (disrupts during night rest).
Other joint pains may include:
- dull and sharp;
- permanent and transient;
- weak, moderate and intense.
Post-inflammatory and pseudoarthralgias are divided into separate groups.
Diagnosis of joint pain
Yes I 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 enables the detection of deviations taking into account the nature of joint damage and the degree of its severity.An increased rate of erythrocyte sedimentation, which confirms the presence of inflammation, along with a normal number of leukocytes is a sign of rheumatic pathology.If, on the contrary, leukocytes are elevated, pains in the spine and certain joints prevail, the nature of the disease is most likely infectious.
- Biochemical blood test.For joint inflammation, they look at the levels of C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, total protein, seromucoid, diphenylamine reaction, as well as some other indicators that confirm the diagnosis of rheumatism.
In addition, the following examinations may be prescribed:
- Radiography.It is mandatory for painful joints, because without photographs the doctor cannot carry out a differential diagnosis and assess the degree of damage to the bone system.
- Computed tomography.It is used to study the location of inflamed areas.
- Immunoelectrophoresis.An additional 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 disease.
- Arthrography.The doctor injects special contrast agents into the joint (contrast must not be used).Changing the initial image gives him the opportunity to assess 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 discover the cause of the symptoms and determine what disease it signals.To relieve inflammation, the patient can be prescribed:
- Hondoprotectors.They slow the progression of osteoarthritis, block further destruction of joint cartilage and reduce inflammation.An example of such drugs from this group are combined drugs containing 2 components of cartilage, substances chondroitin and glucosamine in therapeutic doses, chondroitin sulfate 1200 mg, glucosamine 1500 mg, in the form of capsules.These components activate regenerative processes in the cartilage, due to which the 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 reduce skeletal muscle stiffness.
- Antibacterial drugs.It is used for arthritis of an infectious nature.
- Vitamin-mineral complexes.Vitamins A, E, C and group B are necessary for the normal functioning of the joints and their rapid recovery. Selenium, calcium, etc. are also important.
- Hormones, steroids.They are used if the joint is very inflamed, and drug treatment was 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 can be performed.During the procedure, powerful drugs are used that help to forget the symptoms of arthralgia for a long time.
Additional methods of treating joint pain include:
- physical therapy;
- massage;
- manual therapy;
- mechanotherapy;
- traction of joints using special equipment;
- diet.
Physiotherapy procedures are indicated for the patient:
- Shock wave therapy;
- ozonotherapy;
- phonophoresis;
- myostimulation and some others.
Surgical treatment
In complex cases, it is impossible to eliminate discomfort in the area of one or more joints with non-invasive methods.Then surgery is recommended to the patient.it 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.
- Puncture.Using a special needle, the doctor extracts the accumulated fluid from the joint.
- Periarticular osteotomy.In order 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.
- Endoprosthetics.A very serious operation, which is used only if it is no longer possible to restore the joint.Then a prosthesis is installed in its place.
The doctor decides which method of treating joint pain is indicated for a particular patient individually, taking into account age, medical history, symptoms and some other factors.
Prevention
In order to avoid joint damage, it is necessary 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.
Also important:
- do not catch a cold;
- 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 a long time.
If discomfort occurs in the joint, you need to undergo an examination.If you suspect an inflammatory process, you should not self-medicate.