Joint pain - signs of disease, causes, treatment

Joint pain affects 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.Environmental deterioration, 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 perform the most important functions of the body - bending, 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 can be several reasons why joints hurt:

• Physical inactivity.Technological progress, accompanied by undeniable advantages, promotes sedentary and sedentary work.All basic operations are performed by machines;humans only control the processes.This leads to atrophy of muscle tissue.The load increases and manifests itself in the form of arthralgia (from the Greek arthron - "joint", algos - "pain").
• Increased physical activity.Occupations associated with constant movement (e.g. builders, loaders, salespeople) do not contribute to healthy joints in any way.Severe loads lead to serious injuries and over the years manifest themselves as pain in the limbs and spine.
• Excess body weight.The required amount of oxygen ceases to circulate in the joints, muscle mass decreases, irreversible changes occur in the cartilage tissues and, as a result, aching pains appear.
• Environmental conditions.Living in megacities or in places where many industrial enterprises are concentrated - wherever harmful emissions into the atmosphere occur - has adverse effects on health.The risk of getting seriously ill and complications increases several times.
• Poor diet.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 they suffer.The inevitable wear and tear of the musculoskeletal system leads to diseases leading to complications in the joints.It should be noted that arthralgia gets younger every year for the above reasons.

Types of diseases

Many people suffer from illnesses and only a small proportion go to the doctor.But joint pain usually indicates the presence of disease.These may be neglected injuries, hidden inflammatory processes.Therefore, it is so important to contact a rheumatologist or orthopedist for timely diagnosis and treatment.

The classification divides diseases into inflammatory, metabolic-dystrophic and pathological.Below are the most common joint diseases in 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 disappears, edema and swelling appear.Affects all species, large and small.Often has hereditary genetic causes.

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 significant swelling and excruciating pain.
 

Metabolic-dystrophic diseases of the joints

Gout.Associated with increased production of uric acid, in the context of renal failure.Most often, it begins with the appearance of pain in the big toes.The disease is typical of old age and people in specific professions (e.g. dancers).Constant wearing of uncomfortable shoes also contributes to the development of the disease.High heel lovers should consider this.You shouldn't sacrifice your health for fashion trends.

Osteoarthritis.Bone deformity due to cartilage tissue disease.Dystrophic processes are accompanied by severe pain.

Joint necrosis.Impaired blood flow to the bones.Lack of oxygen and nutrients leads to bone death.The joint suffers first.Aching pain and stiffness of movements 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 at the knee joints.Less often - at the elbows.Symptoms appear immediately - sharp pain, inability to bend the leg, impaired motor function.

Dislocation.Loss of resistance between the bone head and the ligaments results in dislocation.The movement can be complete or partial.Pain in the joint is accompanied by an increase in temperature and swelling in the dislocation area.Failure to consult a doctor in a timely manner can lead to the development of necrosis and disability.

Joint pain symptoms

One or more diseased joints determine the general condition of the body.The symptoms are very broad 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 movements occur only during periods of rest - on vacation or on weekends.
• The joint pain is so intense that the person is forced to stop working.
• Appearance of lameness.
• Unreasonable weight loss.
• Increased sweating.
• Body aches.
• High and sustained temperature.
• Rashes.
• Morning stiffness, without pronounced pain.
• Change of approach.
• Muscle pain (myalgia).
• Mild pain in 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 preventive examination will help identify the disease at an early stage and guarantee complete recovery.

Disposal methods

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. Hyaluronic acid injections - thick fluid is one of the components of cartilage, it helps to cope with inflammatory processes.
4. Physiotherapy is a set of exercises that help maintain muscle tone and build muscle mass around painful joints.
5. Wear only comfortable shoes - high-quality, soft and easily foldable shoes will reduce the load on sore feet.Refusal of high heels, tight shapes 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 rapid to avoid 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 ablation.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 a traditional, uniquely Chinese medicine.Acupuncture sometimes produces truly impressive results.But carrying out such procedures requires extensive experience and professionalism.Choosing a specialist can take a long time.

Prevention and treatment

Diseases are treated using the following treatment options:

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

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

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

• Precautions should be taken to promptly treat any infection.
• 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 particularly beneficial for the joints.
• In addition to good nutrition, maintaining an active lifestyle, feasible sports activity and daily walks will help prevent joint diseases.
• Gradual hardening of the body.

Simple measures will help prevent prolonged treatment, severe pain and disruption of your usual lifestyle.

How to forget 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.At best, treatment on the advice of acquaintances and friends 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 "tried and true" recipe, remember that the symptoms may be the same, 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 disastrous consequences.
• Treatment should include several methods: medications, physiotherapy, homeopathy, physiotherapy.
• Self-diagnosis is unacceptable.
• Do not spray or rub painful joints.Despite the temporary relief, it can speed up the process of cartilage tissue destruction.
• Do not do recommended physical therapy exercises due to “pain.”Feeling comfortable is the key to a speedy recovery.
• Even after lasting improvement begins, do not stop physiotherapy.