Joint pain is a common problem. The questions of what it is related to and how to get rid of it have not left people for a long time. Scientific discoveries have made it possible to successfully fight pathologies and extend the service life of joints.
In this article we will consider 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 aching pains in muscles and bones.
Causes of pain
Why do my joints hurt? The causes of joint pain can be related to:
- with injuries (dislocation, sprain of ligaments or tendons, fractures, microtrauma); pain during the injury is aching, pulling, shooting, which disturbs the victim even at rest;
- Physical overload (sports or industrial); Constant physical overload leads to microdamages of muscles and connective tissue. The joints wear out prematurely, leading to degenerative diseases;
- joint pathologies.
The most common joint diseases are associated with connective tissue damage, cartilage destruction, bone density reduction, infectious processes and metabolic disorders. Diseases caused by developmental abnormalities (dysplasia, congenital dislocation or subluxation, congenital inflammatory-degenerative processes) are quite rare. We will consider only acquired diseases.
arthrosis
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease associated with a decrease in bone density.It most often affects the elderly, women during menopause and people with metabolic disorders.
The pain syndrome develops slowly, gradually increases, its strength increases and the pain is disturbing even at rest.Most often, the initial development of arthrosis is the answer to the question of why the knees hurt from the cold. The disease is irreversible, so its treatment is aimed at preventing further destruction of bones 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 becomes red and the joint tissue becomes hot to the touch.
The disease is treated depending on its cause. If it is an infection - anti-inflammatory or antibiotics, autoimmune disorders in rheumatoid arthritis - immunosuppressive, for gouty arthritis, together with the use of NSAIDs, diet is required.
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 warning. In another case, it can be a sign of severe physical fatigue.
Chronic rheumatism
Chronic rheumatism can last for years and affect internal organs.Characteristic symptoms include joint pain, which appears from time to time and is accompanied by swelling and increased body temperature.
Joint damage due to gout is associated with metabolic disorders and the accumulation of uric acid in the joints.Pain occurs occasionally in the small joints(hands, thumb).
The pain is pressing and throbbing, disturbing at night.In the chronic form, lumps may form– accumulation of uric acid in the joint area.
If the entire spine begins to hurt, this 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 the joints be injured due to nervousness? "
How to relieve joint pain in the morning? To solve the problem, it is necessary to identify the cause. It can be:
- ankylosing spondylitis, which affects the large joints and spine;
- deforming osteoarthritis;
- melting of bone, cartilage or fibrous tissue after injury;
- osteochondrosis;
- bursitis, tendovaginitis.
Other reasons
Tendon diseases are similar in symptoms to arthrosis. They differ in that with arthrosis, the pain will be felt even at rest, and with tendon disease, it manifests itself only when the muscles are under tension.
A block, or a pinched nerve, is also similar in pain to osteoarthritis. But the pain appears suddenly and severely blocks movement in the joint.
Vascular disorders are most often observed in the shoulder and knee joints. They are associated with vasospasm or decreased 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 "twisting" or "pain". As you get older, at the age of 18-20, the pain goes away.
Diagnosing
Correct 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 feeling the sore spot, you can determine, for example, the presence of rheumatoid nodules under the skin, changes in the temperature and moisture of the skin, the location of the pain and the condition of the joint capsule.
analyzes
Laboratory tests of blood and urine can reveal a number of factors that indicate 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 manifests itself 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 joint damage, the presence of deformation and the size of the inter-articular space are determined.
Magnetic resonance and computed tomography are performed if detailed analysis of bones and soft tissues is necessary.Using 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 you see a doctor
You should see a doctor if:
- after the injury, severe pain is felt, the joint is swollen and its contours have changed; this may indicate a dislocation or fracture; in this case, an orthopedic surgeon or surgeon will help;
- pain in the joints, with increased body temperature, redness of the skin or conjunctiva, stomatitis;
- severe pain does not go away after taking painkillers;
- your joints hurt for more than a week for reasons unknown to you.
Treatment
How to treat a sore joint? Anyone who has been injured or suffered from joint pathology has faced this question.
The treatment of joints depends directly on the cause of their damage.To reduce symptoms, modern non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used.
In combination with them, vitamins and agents for tissue recovery are prescribed.Physiotherapy and manual therapy methods accelerate the healing process. How to get rid of joint pain and fever will be described below.
medicaments
Drug treatment depends on the clinical picture and the patient's condition.
To relieve pain and inflammation, complex drugs from the group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are used.They quickly and effectively relieve symptoms and act in several directions at once: 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 according to the doctor's recommendation.
Careful!If there is no urgent need to take tablets, the 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 flow, 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 severe tension in the adjacent muscles, which reduces mobility in the joints and causes constant acute 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 have been diagnosed with a degenerative disease, the development of which can be stopped, but not completely eliminated. Preparations containing glucosamine and chondroitin are involved in the regeneration of cartilage and joint connective tissue 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. When they are deficient, 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 depends 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 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 ways to treat joints. Before using them, be sure to consult your doctor and discuss if there are any 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 neglect your doctor's recommendations.
- Tincture of bay leaves.Pour 20 bay leaves into 0. 5 liters of boiling water in a thermos and let them brew for a day. The decoction can be taken in small sips throughout the day, the duration of treatment is 2 months.
- Compress with gelatin.Sprinkle gelatin (1 bag - 15-50 g) on the joints and cover with a cloth or gauze soaked in hot water, then wrap with film and a warm, dry cloth. Leave the compress overnight, repeat this for two weeks.
- Wrap it up.For wrapping, take the leaves of cabbage, mushrooms or burdock, tie them in a knot and leave them overnight, wrapped in a warm bandage.
- Chestnut tincture.200 g of chestnut flowers are poured into 1 liter of vodka and left to infuse for 2 weeks, shaking the mixture periodically. After that, the tincture can be used to rub the sore joints.
- Pork fat rub.A small amount of lard is rubbed in circular motions on the injured area until it is completely dissolved.
- Compress with honey and salt.Mix honey and fine salt in equal parts, apply to the joints, cover with food film and wrap warmly, leave overnight.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy is performed for:
- restoration of metabolism in joint tissues;
- improvement of microcirculation and lymphatic drainage;
- reduction of pain, swelling and inflammation;
- deeper penetration of the drug into tissues (electrophoresis with medicinal 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, neoplasia, epilepsy, pregnancy).
Massage and manual therapy have a beneficial effect on the elasticity of muscles and joint ligaments. They can be used both as prevention and as treatment.
Gymnastics
During the rehabilitation period, a course of physical therapy (physical therapy) is carried out to restore mobility and prevent stagnation.It is prescribed by the attending physician, orthopedist or exercise therapy physician.
Initially, the exercises are best done under the supervision of a doctor; he will explain how to properly perform this or that exercise and what it is intended for, how to breathe correctly and what not to do. Then the course can be repeated at home.
Various types of gentle fitness and visits 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.
Cartilage 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 a medicinal agent is administered.
Arthroscopy provides minimal intervention.All manipulations are performed through small punctures using special endoscopic instruments.
It is performed for the removal of dead tissue, plastic ligaments, replacement of cartilage defects, removal of chondromic bodies and repair of the joint with deforming arthrosis.
Periarticular osteotomy is performed in the lower extremities to restore support and improve mobility.During the operation, the bone located near the affected joint is sawn and fused to a new angle. Due to this, the load is redistributed, the pain is reduced and the development of the pathological process is prevented.
Endoprosthesis replacement is performed to completely replace a joint while maintaining its mobility.
Preventing
To maintain healthy joints or maintain a long-term state of remission, you must follow simple recommendations.
If you have chronic joint disease, first of all follow your doctor's recommendations carefully and, if necessary, have periodic examinations.
To provide nutrition for both the joint itself and the entire 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, pearl barley), fresh lean meat, eggs, seafood and fresh fish, dishes containing gelatin (jelly meat or aspic). , wholemeal bread and pasta from durum wheat varieties.
At the same time, avoid excessively salty, pickled and smoked foods, fatty meats and sweets. To learn how to create a balanced menu and create correct eating habits, you can ask for help from a nutritionist.
If necessary, use vitamin and mineral complexes.Glucosamine, chondroitin, vitamins B and D, calcium and unsaturated fatty acids are beneficial for joints.To achieve positive results, they should 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 realize that it puts a lot of stress on your joints and try to reduce it.
To maintain mobility, you should exercise and participate in exercises that suit your physical abilities.To maintain a 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 the spine. These are kinesis, Pilates, yoga, TRX, water aerobics and other varieties.
Use special sports and orthopedic equipment - accessories for the arms, legs and body that provide absorbent and protective functions: 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. Modern treatment methods, advances in pharmacology and surgery make it possible to maintain the health of our joints for a long time, maintain mobility and maintain a high quality of life.