Joint pain is a common problem. Questions about what it is related to and how to get rid of it have not left people for a long time. Scientific discoveries allow a successful fight against pathologies and prolonging the life of joints.
In this article we will look at the causes and treatment of severe pain in the small joints of the hands and feet, what to do when all the joints of the body hurt, how to treat muscle and bone pain.
Causes of pain
Why do my joints hurt? The causes of joint pain can be related to:
- with injuries (dislocations, sprains of ligaments or tendons, fractures, microtraumas); pain during injury is pain, pulling, shooting, which bothers the victim even at rest;
- physical overload (sports or industrial); Constant physical overload leads to microdamages of muscle and connective tissue. Joints wear out prematurely, which leads to degenerative diseases;
- joint pathologies.
The most common joint diseases are associated with connective tissue damage, cartilage destruction, reduced bone density, infectious processes and metabolic disorders. Diseases caused by developmental abnormalities (dysplasia, congenital dislocation or subluxation, congenital inflammatory-degenerative processes) are quite rare. We will only consider acquired diseases.
Arthrosis
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease associated with a decrease in bone density.It most often affects the elderly, menopausal women and people with metabolic disorders.
The pain syndrome develops slowly, gradually increases, its strength increases, and the pain is alarming even at rest.Most often, the initial development of arthrosis is the answer to the question why the knees hurt from the cold. The disease is irreversible, so its treatment is aimed at preventing further bone destruction and the development of joint deformation.
Arthritis
There are many varieties.It affects the connective tissue of the joint.The pain may increase gradually or it may develop quickly, over several days. The joints swell, the skin reddens, and the joint tissue becomes hot to the touch.
The disease is treated depending on the cause of its occurrence. If it is an infection - anti-inflammatory drugs or antibiotics, autoimmune diseases in rheumatoid arthritis - immunosuppressants, in gouty arthritis, along with taking NSAIDs, a diet is necessary.
Complaints of patients about why the joints of the whole body ache at the same time at night can be a sign of an aggressive form of rheumatoid arthritis or its precursor. In another case, it may be a sign of severe physical fatigue.
Chronic rheumatism
Chronic rheumatism can last for years and affect internal organs.Characteristic symptoms include pain in the joints that occurs from time to time and is accompanied by swelling and increased body temperature.
Joint damage due to gout is associated with metabolic disturbances and accumulation of uric acid in the joints.Pain occurs from time to time in the small joints(hands, big toe).
The pain is pressing and throbbing, disturbing at night.In the chronic form, bumps may form- accumulation of uric acid in the joint area.
If your entire spine starts to hurt, it may be a sign of diseases such as:
- osteochondrosis with damage to the intervertebral discs;
- spondylosis;
- infectious lesions of the spine, including tuberculosis;
- stress as a psychosomatic reaction to an irritant is the answer to the question: "Can joints hurt from nervousness? ""
How to relieve joint pain in the morning? To solve the problem, it is necessary to identify the cause. Can not be:
- ankylosing spondylitis, which affects the large joints and the spine;
- deforming osteoarthritis;
- fusion of bone, cartilage, or fibrous tissue after injury;
- osteochondrosis;
- bursitis, tendovaginitis.
Other reasons
Tendon diseases are similar to the symptoms of osteoarthritis. They differ in that in arthrosis the pain is felt even at rest, and in tendon disease it manifests itself only when the muscles are under tension.
A blocked or pinched nerve is also similar in pain to osteoarthritis. But the pain appears suddenly and sharply blocks movement in the joint.
Vascular disorders are most often observed in the shoulder and knee joints. They are associated with vasospasm or reduced blood supply. This is common in teenagers and is due to the fact that blood vessel growth occurs at a slower rate than bone growth.
The pain is symmetrical and similar to a "twist" or "pain". With growth, by 18-20 years, the pain disappears.
Diagnosis
Accurate diagnosis of joint diseases is the key to successful treatment.
General examination and palpation allow assessment of the patient's posture and movements, swelling, range of motion, distribution and nature of pain.
By palpating the sore spot, you can determine, for example, the presence of rheumatoid nodules under the skin, changes in the temperature and humidity of the skin, the localization of pain and the condition of the joint capsule.
Analyzes
Laboratory tests of blood and urine can reveal a number of factors indicating the presence of the disease. When performing a biochemical blood test, attention is paid to the content of C-reactive protein and rheumatoid factor.
An increased level of ESR will indicate the presence of an inflammatory process, a high level of uric acid is manifested in arthritis and other joint pathologies.
Deviations from the norm in urine tests are detected only in severe forms of the disease.
X-ray and MRI
X-rays are often used to rule out bone damage due to injury, as well as to assess the state of the joint in degenerative diseases.. In such cases, the symmetry of the joint damage, the presence of deformation and the size of the inter-articular space are determined.
Magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography are performed when necessary for a detailed analysis of bones and soft tissues.With it, the doctor will be able to determine the pinched nerve fibers, the condition of the blood vessels and the nature of the damage to the cartilage and bone tissue.
When to see a doctor
You should see a doctor if:
- after an injury, severe pain is felt, the joint is swollen and its contours are changed; this may indicate a dislocation or fracture; in this case, an orthopedic surgeon or surgeon will help;
- joint pain, with increased body temperature, skin rash or conjunctivitis, stomatitis;
- severe pain does not go away after taking painkillers;
- your joints have been hurting for more than a week for unknown reasons.
Treatment
How to treat a sore joint? Anyone who has been injured or suffered from joint pathology has faced this question.
The treatment of the joints depends directly on the cause of their damage.Modern nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used to reduce symptoms.
In combination with them, vitamins and means to restore tissues are prescribed.Physiotherapy and manual therapy methods speed up the healing process. How to get rid of joint pain and fever will be described below.
Medicines
Drug treatment depends on the clinical picture and the condition of the patient.
Complex drugs from the group of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are used to relieve pain and inflammation.They quickly and effectively relieve symptoms and act simultaneously in several directions: pain, swelling and inflammatory processes. But it should be remembered that their excessive consumption leads to intoxication, damage to internal organs (liver, kidneys, stomach) or other disorders, so they should be taken only on a doctor's prescription.
attention!If there is no urgent need to take tablets, these same products can be used in the form of gels and ointments.
To improve blood supply, venotonics are prescribed.They restore blood supply, help reduce swelling due to lymph drainage, remove toxins and improve tissue nutrition.
Muscle relaxants are used to relieve severe muscle spasms. This is necessary if the compression of the nerve endings leads to a strong tension in the adjacent muscles, which reduces the mobility of the joint and causes constant sharp pain.
Vitamins and chondroprotectors– an integral part of any joint therapy. They restore tissues and prevent their further destruction. This is especially important if you are diagnosed with a degenerative disease, the development of which can be stopped, but not completely eliminated. Preparations containing glucosamine and chondroitin participate in the regeneration of cartilage and connective tissue of the joints and prevent their destruction.
Vitamins with calcium improve the condition of bone tissue, increase its density and prevent destruction.
Vitamin D is necessary for the synthesis of calcium in the body, regulates the metabolism of calcium and phosphorus, participates in the formation of the bone skeleton and improves the absorption of calcium in the intestines.
Zinc is necessary for the maintenance of the reproductive system and the synthesis of sex hormones. With their deficiency, the bone tissue is destroyed.
Copper is important for the formation of elastin and collagen, which are part of the connective tissue of the joint.
If an infection is detected during the diagnosis, antibiotic therapy is carried out.The type and duration of the course depend on the form of the pathogen.
Hormonal drugs are prescribed in severe cases when NSAIDs do not give positive results.These are powerful drugs and are used as a last resort. They quickly relieve severe pain and restore joint mobility. To do this, they are most often used in the form of injections and are injected directly into the joint.
Immunosuppressants are also powerful drugs used in extreme cases. They are prescribed for autoimmune pathologies and are taken only under the supervision of a doctor.
People's funds
Traditional medicine offers many ways to treat joints. Before using them, be sure to consult your doctor and discuss whether there are contraindications or risk of allergies.
Treatment of joints with folk remedies at home can only be used as an auxiliary method. You should not put it first and ignore your doctor's recommendations.
- Bay leaf tincture.Pour 20 bay leaves into 0. 5 liters of boiling water in a thermos and leave to soak for a day. The decoction can be taken in small sips throughout the day, the duration of treatment is 2 months.
- Gelatin compress.Sprinkle gelatin (1 packet - 15-50 g) on the joint and cover with a towel or gauze soaked in hot water, then wrap with a film and a warm dry towel. Leave the compress overnight, repeat this for two weeks.
- Wrap it up.For wrapping, take leaves of cabbage, gorse or burdock, tie them on the joint and leave them overnight, wrapped with a warm bandage.
- Chestnut tincture.200 g of chestnut flowers are poured with 1 liter of vodka and left to infuse for 2 weeks, periodically shaking the mixture. The tincture can then be used to rub on inflamed joints.
- Rub lard.A small piece of lard is rubbed in circular motions on the sore spot until it dissolves completely.
- Compress of honey and salt.Mix honey and fine salt in equal parts, apply to the joint, cover with cling film and wrap warm, leave overnight.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy is carried out for:
- restoration of metabolism in joint tissues;
- improvement of microcirculation and lymphatic drainage;
- reduce pain, swelling and inflammation;
- deeper penetration of the drug into the tissue (electrophoresis with medical ointments);
- activation of natural regeneration processes.
Methods such as phonophoresis, electrophoresis, magnetic therapy, laser therapy, cryotherapy and shock wave therapy are used.
Physical therapy has a number of benefits. It is suitable for most patients, does not cause allergies and has a minimum of contraindications (acute phase of infectious diseases, pacemaker, neoplasms, epilepsy, pregnancy).
Massage and manual therapy have a beneficial effect on the elasticity of muscles and joints. They can be used both as prevention and as treatment.
Gymnastics
During the rehabilitation period, a course of physical therapy (physical therapy) is conducted to restore mobility and prevent stagnation.It is prescribed by the attending physician, orthopedist or physical therapist.
Initially, the exercises are best done under the supervision of a doctor, he will explain to you how to correctly perform this or that exercise and what it is intended for, how to breathe correctly and what not to do. After that, the course can be repeated at home.
Various types of gentle exercise and going to the pool are helpful in maintaining healthy joints.
Surgical treatment
Surgical treatment is performed in cases where conservative treatment methods have been exhausted and do not give a positive result.
Joint puncture is used for diagnosis and treatment.A thin needle is inserted into the joint cavity, with the help of which the pathological fluid is removed or a medicine is administered.
Arthroscopy provides minimal intervention.All manipulations are performed through small incisions using special endoscopic instruments.
It is performed for the removal of dead tissue, plastic ligaments, replacement of cartilage defects, removal of chondroma bodies and rehabilitation of the joint with deforming arthrosis.
Periarticular osteotomy is performed on the lower extremities to restore support and improve mobility.During the operation, the bone adjacent to the affected joint is cut and welded at a new angle. Thanks to this, the load is redistributed, the pain decreases and the development of the pathological process is prevented.
Arthroplasty is performed to completely replace the joint while maintaining its mobility.
Prevention
To maintain healthy joints or maintain a state of long-term remission, you should follow simple recommendations.
If you have chronic joint diseases, first of all, strictly follow your doctor's recommendations and, if necessary, undergo periodic examinations.
To provide nutrition to both the joint itself and the whole body as a whole, include a variety of foods in your diet. These are fresh vegetables and fruits, nuts, minimally processed cereals (rice, buckwheat, millet, barley), lean fresh meat, eggs, seafood and fresh fish, dishes containing gelatin (jelly meat or aspic), wholemeal bread and pastasolid food products wheat varieties.
At the same time, avoid excessively salty, pickled and smoked foods, fatty meats and sweets. To learn how to make a balanced menu and form proper eating habits, you can seek help from a nutritionist.
If necessary, use vitamin and mineral complexes.Glucosamine, chondroitin, vitamins B and D, calcium and polyunsaturated fatty acids are good for joints.In order to achieve positive results, they must be taken in courses for a long period of time. To know the best way to take your vitamins, consult your doctor.
If you are overweight, you should understand that this puts a lot of stress on your joints and strive to reduce it.
To maintain mobility, you need to play sports and attend training sessions that match your physical capabilities.To maintain good physical condition, they should be regular and not cause overload and discomfort. There are many types of exercises specifically designed for problem joints and the spine. These are kinesis, pilates, yoga, TRX, water aerobics and other varieties.
Use special sports and orthopedic devices - accessories for the arms, legs and body that provide shock absorbers and protective functions: knee pads, corsets, elbow pads, sports clothing with a compression effect, shields and many others.
Avoid heavy physical exertion and stress.
Conclusion
With the modern development of medicine, we have received great opportunities for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment of many diseases. Modern treatment methods, advances in pharmacology and surgery allow us to preserve the health of our joints for a long time, maintain mobility and maintain a high quality of life.