Joint pain - signs of disease, causes, treatment

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

Causes of pain

Joints are movable parts of the skeleton that connect all the bones of the musculoskeletal system.Without them, it is impossible to carry out the most important functions of the body - flexion, straightening, rotation, support and movement.

The appearance of pain is a direct sign of a violation of normal functionality.It is important not to ignore alarming symptoms and start treatment on time.

There may be several reasons why joints hurt:

• Physical inactivity.Technological progress, along with undeniable benefits, promotes sedentary, sedentary work.All basic operations are performed by machines; humans only control the processes.This leads to muscle tissue atrophy.The load increases and manifests itself in the form of arthralgia (from the Greek arthron - “joint”, algos - “pain”).
• Increased physical activity.Professions associated with constant movement (for example, builders, loaders, salesmen) do not in any way contribute to healthy joints.Serious loads are fraught with injury and over the years will manifest themselves in pain in the limbs and spine.
• Excess body weight.The required amount of oxygen ceases to flow into the joints, muscle mass decreases, irreversible changes occur in the cartilage tissues and, as a result, aching pain appears.
• Environmental conditions.Living in megacities or in places with a large concentration of industrial enterprises - wherever harmful emissions into the atmosphere occur - has an adverse effect on health.The risk of getting seriously ill and getting complications increases several times.
• Poor nutrition.Eating foods low in vitamins and microelements necessary for the body has a negative impact 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 he suffers from pain.The inevitable wear and tear of the musculoskeletal system leads to diseases that cause complications in the joints.It is worth noting that arthralgia becomes younger every year for the above reasons.

Types of diseases

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

The classification divides diseases into inflammatory, metabolic-dystrophic and pathological.Below are the most common joint diseases 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 appears between the bones and an inflammatory process occurs.As the disease progresses, mobility is lost, edema and swelling appear.Affects all species, both small and large.Often has genetic causes that are inherited.

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

Metabolic-dystrophic diseases of the joints

Gout.Associated with increased production of uric acid, against the background of impaired renal function.Most often it begins with the appearance of pain in the area of the big toes.The disease is typical of old age and people of specific professions (for example, dancers).Constantly wearing uncomfortable shoes also contributes to the development of the disease.High heels lovers should think about this.You shouldn’t sacrifice your health to fashion trends.

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

Necrosis of joints.Impaired blood flow to the bone.Lack of oxygen and nutrients lead to bone death.The joint suffers first.Aching pain and stiffness of movement can become signs of an extremely dangerous disease.

Pathologies due to trauma

Mechanical damage to the joint.A complication of an unsuccessful fall is therefore most often observed in the knee joints.Less often - in 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 leads to dislocation.The displacement can be complete or partial.Pain in the joint is accompanied by increased temperature and swelling in the dislocation area.Failure to seek medical help in a timely manner can give rise to the development of necrosis and disability.

Symptoms of joint pain

One or more diseased joints determine the general condition of the body.Symptoms are very wide and depend on the underlying cause.But there is still a standard set of signs that should prompt immediate medical attention:

• Severe pain in one or more joints.
• The pain occurs at any time of the day and is short-lived.
• Discomfort and stiffness of movement occur only during periods of rest - on vacation or on weekends.
• The joint pain is so severe that the person is forced to stop working.
• Appearance of lameness.
• Unreasonable weight loss.
• Increased sweating.
• Body aches.
• Sustained elevated temperature.
• Skin rashes.
• Morning stiffness, without pronounced pain.
• Change in gait.
• Muscle pain (myalgia).
• Mild pain in the ligaments and tendons.

Even if, in a person’s opinion, the symptoms are not significant and do not cause much discomfort, you should consult a doctor.

A preventative examination will help identify the disease at an early stage and guarantee a complete cure.

Methods of disposal

1. Local preparations – ointments, gels, creams, patches containing anesthetics and anti-inflammatory active substances.
2. Steroid injections have a powerful anti-inflammatory effect throughout the body.
3. Injections of hyaluronic acid - a thick liquid is one of the components of cartilage, it helps to cope with inflammatory processes.
4. Physical therapy is a set of exercises that helps maintain muscle tone and build muscle mass around sore joints.
5. Wearing only comfortable shoes - high-quality, soft, easily bendable shoes will reduce the load on sore feet.Refusal of high heels, tight lasts and artificial materials.
6. Heat and cold - alternating heating pads with warm or cold water relieves spasms, reduces swelling and pain.The change must be quick to prevent overheating or hypothermia.
7. Anesthesia of problem areas - an injection of anesthetic directly into the sore spot.Quickly relieves excruciating pain.
8. Destruction of nerves.It is used in cases where there are no positive results after other methods.The procedure is similar to dental nerve removal.Relieves joint pain, but the disease remains.
9. Traditional medicine - herbs, honey, eggshells, bay leaves 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 Chinese.Acupuncture sometimes really produces impressive results.But carrying out such procedures requires extensive experience and professionalism.Choosing a specialist can be very long.

Prevention and treatment

Diseases are treated using the following therapy options:

• Medication.Only inflammatory processes and pain syndromes are removed.Without additional techniques, the causes of the disease cannot be eliminated.
• Physiotherapeutic.Warming, analgesic procedures using medical equipment of various effects.Ultrasound, electrical stimulation.
• Therapeutic exercise.A set of simple special exercises is prescribed by a doctor to stimulate physical activity.
• Manual therapy.A combination of various techniques of active and passive manual pressure on the knees, shoulders, hands, feet, legs, fingers, knees or elbows.This technique refers to the official methods of treatment.It is useful both for prevention and for improving the condition of patients.
• Surgical intervention.It is prescribed only in hopeless, 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.

Diseases in most cases are chronic.With proper treatment, degenerative processes only slow down.

Therefore, diseases are much easier to prevent than to cure:

• Care must be taken to promptly treat any infections.
• The diet should contain sufficient amounts of vitamins, minerals and trace elements.Vitamins A, B5 and B6, C, E, as well as copper, selenium, and glucosamine are especially beneficial for joints.
• In addition to proper nutrition, maintaining an active lifestyle, feasible sports activity and daily walks will help prevent joint diseases.
• Gradual hardening of the body.

Simple steps will help prevent long treatment, severe pain and disruption of your usual lifestyle.

How to forget about joint and back pain

If your joints prevent you from living and moving fully, and the most expensive medications do not help, then you should consult a professional doctor.Treatment on the advice of acquaintances and friends, at best, will not give any results.At worst - 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 identical, but the diagnoses may be different.

The following recommendations will help you forget about pain forever:

• The treatment regimen for joints is prescribed only by a doctor; self-medication can have the most dire consequences.
• Treatment should include several methods - medication, physiotherapy, homeopathic, physical therapy.
• Self-diagnosis is unacceptable.
• Do not steam or rub sore joints.Despite the temporary relief, this can accelerate the process of destruction of cartilage tissue.
• Do not do recommended physical therapy exercises through “pain.”Feeling comfortable is the key to a speedy recovery.
• Even after the onset of sustainable improvement, do not stop physical therapy.