Joint pain is a common problem. The questions of what it is related to and how to get rid of it did not leave people for a long time. Scientific discoveries have made it possible to successfully overcome pathologies and extend the life of joints.
In this article, we will look at the causes and treatment of severe pain in the small joints of the arms and legs, what to do if 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:
- with injuries (dislocations, ligament or tendon sprains, fractures, microtraumas); during the injury, the pain aches, pulls, shoots, which disturbs the victim even at rest;
- physical overload (sports or industry); Constant physical overload leads to microdamage of muscle and connective tissue. Joints wear out prematurely, leading to degenerative diseases;
- joint pathologies.
The most common joint diseases are associated with damage to the connective tissue, the destruction of cartilage, a decrease in bone density, infectious processes and metabolic disorders. Diseases caused by developmental abnormalities (dysplasia, congenital dislocation or subluxation, congenital inflammatory-degenerative processes) are quite rare. Only acquired diseases are considered.
Arthrosis
Arthrosis 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 grows slowly and gradually, its strength increases, the pain is disturbing even at rest.Most often, the initial development of arthrosis is the answer to the question why the knee hurts from the cold. The disease is irreversible, so its treatment aims to prevent further bone destruction and joint deformation.
Arthritis
There are many varieties.It affects the connective tissue of the joint.The pain may increase gradually or develop quickly over a few days. The joints swell, the skin turns red, and the joint tissues become hot to the touch.
The disease is treated depending on the cause. If it is an infection - anti-inflammatory drugs or antibiotics, autoimmune diseases in rheumatoid arthritis - immunosuppressants, in the case of gouty arthritis, a diet is required in addition to NSAIDs.
The patient's complaints about why the joints of the whole body ache at the same time at night can be the aggressive form of rheumatoid arthritis or its precursor. In another case, it can be a sign of severe physical fatigue.
Chronic rheumatism
Chronic rheumatism can last for years and affect internal organs.Typical symptoms include joint pain that occurs from time to time, accompanied by swelling and increased body temperature.
Joint damage caused by gout is associated with metabolic disorders and the accumulation of uric acid in the joints.Pain occurs in small joints from time to time(hand, big toe).
The pain is oppressive and throbbing, disturbing at night.Bumps may form in a chronic form– accumulation of uric acid in the joint area.
If your entire spine starts to hurt, it could 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 the joints hurt because of nervousness? ""
How to relieve joint pain in the morning? To solve the problem, you need to determine the cause. May:
- 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
The symptoms of tendon diseases are similar to arthrosis. They differ in that, in the case of arthrosis, the pain can be felt even at rest, and in the case of tendon diseases, it manifests itself only when the muscles are under tension.
The pain of a blocked or pinched nerve is also similar to arthrosis. 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 is slower than bone growth.
The pain is symmetrical and similar to "twisting" or "pain". As you grow older, by age 18-20 the pain goes away.
Diagnostics
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 painful spot, the presence of rheumatic nodules under the skin, changes in skin temperature and humidity, the location of the pain, and the condition of the joint capsule can be determined.
Analyzes
Laboratory tests of blood and urine can reveal many factors that indicate the presence of the disease. During the biochemical blood test, attention is paid to the content of C-reactive protein and rheumatoid factor.
An increased level of ESR indicates the presence of an inflammatory process, a high level of uric acid manifests itself in arthritis and other joint pathologies.
Abnormalities in urine tests are only detected 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 joint damage, the presence of deformation and the size of the interarticular space are determined.
Magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography are performed when detailed analysis of bones and soft tissues is required.With its use, the doctor can determine pinched nerve fibers, the condition of blood vessels, and the nature of damage to cartilage and bone tissue.
When to see a doctor
You should see a doctor if:
- after the injury, severe pain is felt, the joint swells and its contours have changed; this may indicate a dislocation or fracture; in this case, an orthopedic surgeon or surgeon will help;
- joint pain, increased body temperature, skin rash or conjunctivitis, stomatitis;
- severe pain does not go away after taking painkillers;
- your joints have been sore for more than a week for reasons unknown to you.
Treatment
How to treat a painful 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 the damage.Modern non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used to reduce symptoms.
In combination with these, vitamins and tissue-restoring agents are prescribed.Physiotherapy and manual therapy methods speed up the healing process. Here's how to get rid of joint pain and fever.
Medicines
Drug treatment depends on the clinical picture and condition of the patient.
Complex drugs belonging to the group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are used to relieve pain and inflammation.They relieve symptoms quickly and effectively and act in several directions at the same time: pain, swelling and inflammatory processes. But it must not be forgotten that their excessive consumption leads to poisoning, damage to internal organs (liver, kidney, stomach) or other disorders, so they should only be taken as prescribed by a doctor.
Attention!If there is no urgent need to take tablets, the same products can be used in the form of gels and ointments.
Venotonics are prescribed to improve blood supply.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 when the compression of the nerve endings leads to severe tension of the adjacent muscles, which reduces the mobility of the joint and causes persistent acute pain.
Vitamins and chondroprotectors– is an integral part of all joint therapy. They restore the tissues and prevent their further destruction. This is especially important if you are diagnosed with a degenerative disease that can be stopped but completely eliminated. Preparations containing glucosamine and chondroitin participate in the regeneration of the cartilage and connective tissue of the joints and prevent their destruction.
Vitamins containing 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 calcium and phosphorus metabolism, participates in the formation of the 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. If they are lacking, the bone tissue is destroyed.
Copper is important in 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 depends on the form of the pathogen.
Hormonal drugs are prescribed in severe cases when NSAIDs do not bring positive results.These are powerful drugs and are used as a last resort. They quickly relieve severe pain and restore joint mobility. For this, it is most often used in the form of injections and 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.
Folk remedies
Traditional medicine offers many methods for treating joints. Before using them, be sure to consult your doctor and discuss whether there are any contraindications or risk of allergies.
Treatment of joints with home folk remedies can only be used as an auxiliary method. Do not put it in the first place and ignore the recommendations of the doctor.
- Bay leaf tincture.Pour 20 bay leaves into 0. 5 liters of boiling water in a thermos and let it soak for a day. The concoction can be consumed in small sips throughout the day, the duration of the treatment is 2 months.
- Gelatin poultice.Sprinkle gelatin (1 bag - 15-50 g) on the joint and cover with a cloth or gauze soaked in hot water, then wrap with foil and a warm, dry cloth. Leave the poultice on overnight, repeat this for two weeks.
- Wrap.For the wrap, take a cabbage, horsetail or burdock leaf, tie it to the joint and leave it wrapped in a warm bandage overnight.
- Chestnut tincture.200 g of chestnut flowers are poured into 1 liter of vodka and left to stand for 2 weeks, occasionally shaking the mixture. Afterwards, the tincture can be used to rub sore joints.
- Pork fat rub.A small piece of lard is rubbed in circular motions on the sore spot until it dissolves completely.
- Honey and salt poultice.Mix equal parts of honey and fine salt, apply to the joint, cover with foil and wrap it warm, leave it overnight.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy is performed in the following cases:
- restoration of metabolism in joint tissues;
- improvement of microcirculation and lymphatic drainage;
- reducing 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, magnetotherapy, laser therapy, cryotherapy and shock wave therapy are used.
Physical therapy has many benefits. It is suitable for most patients, does not cause allergies and has minimal contraindications (acute phase of infectious diseases, pacemaker, tumors, epilepsy, pregnancy).
Massage and manual therapy have a beneficial effect on the flexibility of muscles and joint ligaments. They can be used as both prevention and 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.
In the beginning, it is best to do the exercises under the supervision of a doctor, he will explain how to do this or that exercise correctly and what it is for, how to breathe correctly and what not. The course can then be repeated at home.
A variety of gentle fitness and pool visits are helpful for maintaining joint health.
Surgical treatment
Surgical treatment is performed in cases where conservative treatment methods have been exhausted and do not give positive results.
Joint puncture is used for diagnosis and treatment.A thin needle is inserted into the joint cavity, with the help of which pathological fluid is removed or medicine is administered.
Arthroscopy provides minimal intervention.All manipulations are performed with small punctures using special endoscopic instruments.
It is used to remove dead tissue, plastic bands, replace cartilage defects, remove cartilage bodies and disinfect deforming arthritic joints.
Periarticular osteotomies are performed on the lower limbs to restore support and improve mobility.During the operation, the bone located next to the affected joint is sawn and fused at a new angle. Thanks to this, the load is redistributed, pain is reduced, and the development of the pathological process is prevented.
Endoprosthesis replacement is performed to completely replace the joint while maintaining its mobility.
Prevention
In order to preserve 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, have periodic examinations.
In order to provide nourishment to the joint itself and the whole body, include a variety of foods in your diet. These are fresh vegetables and fruits, nuts, minimally processed cereals (rice, buckwheat, millet, barley pearls), lean fresh meat, eggs, seafood and fresh fish, foods containing gelatin (jelly or aspic), whole wheat bread and durum wheat varieties.
At the same time, avoid oversalted, vinegared and smoked foods, fatty meats and sweets. You can ask for help from a nutritionist to learn how to put together a balanced menu and develop good eating habits.
If necessary, use vitamin and mineral complexes.Glucosamine, chondroitin, B and D vitamins, calcium and polyunsaturated fatty acids have a beneficial effect on the joints.In order to achieve positive results, it is necessary to attend courses over a long period of time. To find out how best to take your vitamins, talk to your doctor.
If you are overweight, you should understand that this puts a lot of stress on your joints and you should try to reduce it.
To maintain mobility, you should exercise and participate in workouts that are appropriate for your physical abilities.To maintain good physical condition, they must be regular and not cause overload and discomfort. There are many types of exercises designed specifically for problem joints and spine. These are kinesis, pilates, yoga, TRX, water aerobics and other types.
Use special sports and orthopedic equipment - accessories with shock-absorbing and protective functions for the arms, legs and body: knee pads, corsets, elbow pads, sports clothing with a compression effect, shields and much more.
Avoid heavy physical activity and stress.
Conclusion
With the modern development of medicine, we have gained great opportunities for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment of many diseases. The development of modern treatment methods, pharmacology and surgery enables the long-term preservation of the health of our joints, the preservation of mobility and the maintenance of a high quality of life.