Joint pain - symptoms, causes, treatment

Joint pain affects 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.Environmental 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 the 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 - flexibility, alignment, rotation, support and movement.

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

There can be several causes of joint pain:

• physical inactivity.Technological progress, along with undoubted advantages, favors sedentary, sedentary work.All major operations are performed by machines;People only control processes.This causes muscle tissue atrophy.The load increases and manifests itself in the form of arthralgia (from the Greek arthron - "joint", algos - "pain").
• Increased physical activity.Occupations related to constant movement (for example, builders, loaders, salesmen) do not contribute to joint health in any way.Heavy loads are fraught with injury, and pain in the limbs and spine will appear over the years.
• Excess body weight.The necessary amount of oxygen stops entering the joints, muscle mass decreases, irreversible changes occur in the cartilage tissues, and as a result, painful pain appears.
• environmental conditions.Living in megacities or places with a large concentration of industrial enterprises - where harmful emissions do not occur in the atmosphere - has a negative effect on health.The risk of serious diseases and complications increases several times.
• bad nutrition.Eating food 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.There is discomfort and pain.
• 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 joint complications.It should be noted that due to the aforementioned reasons, arthralgia is getting younger every year.

Types of diseases

Many people suffer from diseases and only a small number go to the doctor.But joint pain usually indicates the presence of some disease.It 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 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 occurs between the bones and an inflammatory process occurs.As the disease progresses, mobility is lost, swelling and edema appear.Affects all species, both small and large.It often has genetic causes that are inherited.

Bursitis of the joints - 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.An inflammatory process begins, which proceeds with great swelling and excruciating pain.
 

Metabolic-dystrophic diseases of joints

Gout.It is 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 toe.The disease is characteristic of the elderly and people of a specific profession (for example, dancers).Constantly wearing uncomfortable shoes also contributes to the development of the disease.Lovers of high heels should think about it.You don't have to sacrifice your health for fashion trends.

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

Necrosis of the joints.Disturbance of blood circulation in the bone.Lack of oxygen and nutrients leads to bone death.The joint suffers first.Excruciating pain and stiffness of movement can become a sign of an extremely dangerous disease.

Pathologies as a result of trauma

Mechanical damage to the joint.Therefore, the complication of an unsuccessful fall is 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.Displacement can be complete or partial.Joint pain is accompanied by an increase in 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 general condition of the body.Symptoms are very broad and depend on the underlying cause.But there is still a standard set of signs that require 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 appear only during the rest period - on vacation or on weekends.
• The joint pain is so strong that a person is forced to stop working.
• Appearance of lameness.
• Unexplained weight loss.
• Increased sweating.
• Body aches.
• Sustained elevated temperature.
• skin rash
• Morning stiffness without marked pain.
• Change in gait.
• Muscle pain (myalgia).
• Mild pain in ligaments and tendons.

Even if, according to a person, the symptoms are not significant and do not cause much discomfort, you should consult a doctor.

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

Methods of destruction

1. Local preparations - ointments, gels, creams, patches containing anesthetic and anti-inflammatory active substances.
2. Steroid injections have a powerful anti-inflammatory effect throughout the body.
3. Hyaluronic acid injections - thick liquid is one of the components of cartilage, it helps to deal with inflammatory processes.
4. Physical therapy is a combination of exercises that help maintain muscle tone and build muscle mass around painful joints.
5. Only wear comfortable shoes - high-quality, soft, easy-to-wear shoes will reduce the load on painful feet.Rejection of high heels, tight soles and artificial materials.
6. Heat and cold - heating pads alternating with warm or cold water relieves spasms, reduces swelling and pain.The change must be rapid to avoid overheating or hypothermia.
7. Anesthesia of problem areas - injection of anesthetic directly into the painful area.Quickly relieves unbearable pain.
8. destruction of nerves.It is used in cases where there is no positive result after other methods.The procedure is similar to removing the tooth nerve.Relieves joint pain, but the disease remains.
9. Traditional medicine - herbs, honey, egg shell, bay leaves and alcohol.There are many recipes for preparing medicinal tinctures and mixtures.They cannot be used without consulting a doctor.
10. Acupuncture is traditional medicine, only Chinese.Acupuncture sometimes gives really impressive results.But carrying out such procedures requires a lot of experience and professionalism.Choosing a specialist can be very long.

Prevention and treatment

The disease is treated using the following therapy methods:

• Medicine.Only inflammatory processes and pain syndromes are removed.Without additional techniques, the causes of the disease cannot be eliminated.
• Physiotherapy.Heating, pain-relieving procedures using medical equipment of various effects.Ultrasound, electrostimulation.
• therapeutic exercise.To stimulate physical activity, the doctor prescribes a set of simple special exercises.
• manual therapy.A combination of different techniques of active and passive manual pressure on the knees, shoulders, hands, feet, feet, toes, knees or elbows.This technique refers to 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 determines the treatment regimen using one or another technique.

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

Therefore, it is much easier to prevent diseases than to cure them:

• Care should be taken to treat any infection promptly.
• 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, maintaining an active lifestyle, possible sports activities and daily walks will help prevent joint diseases.
• Gradual hardening of the body.

Simple steps can help you avoid lengthy treatment, severe pain, and disruption to your normal lifestyle.

How to forget joint and back pain

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

The following recommendations will help you forget the pain forever:

• The treatment regimen for joints is prescribed only by a doctor;Self-medication can lead to the worst consequences.
• Treatment should include several methods - medicines, physiotherapy, homeopathy, physiotherapy.
• Self-diagnosis is not acceptable.
• Do not heat or rub painful joints.Despite the temporary relief, this can accelerate the process of cartilage tissue destruction.
• Do not do recommended physical therapy exercises through "pain".Feeling comfortable is the key to a quick recovery.
• Do not stop physical therapy even after you start to see sustained improvement.