Joint pain - signs of disease, causes, treatment

Joint pain is experienced by 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.Ecological 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 movable parts of the skeleton that connect all the bones in the musculoskeletal system.Without them, it is impossible to perform the most important functions of the body - flexion, 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 the joints hurt:

• Physical inactivity.Technological advances, along with undeniable benefits, promote sedentary, sedentary work.All basic operations are performed by machines;people only manage the processes.This leads to muscle tissue atrophy.The load increases and manifests itself in the form of arthralgia (from the Greek arthron - "joint", algos - "pain").
• Increased physical activity.Professions associated with constant movement (for example, builders, loaders, salesmen) do not contribute in any way to healthy joints.Serious loads are fraught with damage and will manifest themselves over the years in pain in the limbs and spine.
• Excess body weight.The necessary amount of oxygen ceases to flow into the joints, the muscle mass decreases, irreversible changes occur in the cartilaginous tissues, and as a result, aching pain occurs.
• Environmental conditions.Living in megacities or in places with a large concentration of industrial enterprises - where harmful emissions into the atmosphere occur - has a negative impact on health.The risk of becoming seriously ill and having complications increases several times.
• Poor nutrition.Eating foods with a low content of vitamins and microelements necessary for the body has a negative effect 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 he suffers from pain.The inevitable wear and tear on the musculoskeletal system leads to diseases that cause complications in the joints.It is worth noting that arthralgia is getting younger every year for the above reasons.

Types of diseases

Many people suffer from diseases and only a small part go to the doctor.But pain in the joints usually indicates the presence of some disease.These can be neglected injuries, hidden inflammatory processes.That is why it is so important to contact a rheumatologist or orthopedist for diagnosis and timely 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

Gout 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, edema and swelling occur.Affects all species, both small and large.Often has genetic causes that are inherited.

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, occurs with great swelling and excruciating pain.
 

Metabolic-dystrophic diseases of the joints

Gout.Associated with increased production of uric acid, on the basis of reduced kidney function.Most often, it begins with the appearance of pain in the area of the big toes.The disease is typical of old age and people of certain professions (for example, dancers).Constantly wearing uncomfortable shoes also contributes to the development of the disease.Lovers of high heels should think about this.You shouldn't sacrifice your health for fashion trends.

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

Necrosis of joints.Decreased blood flow to the bone.Lack of oxygen and nutrients leads to bone death.The joint suffers first.Pain and stiffness in movement can be 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 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.The displacement can be complete or partial.Pain in the joint is accompanied by increased temperature and swelling in the dislocation area.Failure to seek medical attention 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.The symptoms are very broad and depend on the underlying cause.But there is still a standard set of signs that should call for 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 occur only during periods of rest - on vacation or at weekends.
• The joint pain is so severe that the person is forced to stop working.
• Appearance of lameness.
• Unreasonable weight loss.
• Increased sweating.
• Pain in the body.
• Persistent elevated temperature.
• Skin rash.
• Morning stiffness, without pronounced pain.
• Change in progress.
• 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 to identify the disease at an early stage and guarantee a complete cure.

Methods of disposal

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. Injections of hyaluronic acid - a thick liquid 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 sore joints.
5. Only wear comfortable shoes - soft, flexible, high-quality shoes will reduce the strain on sore feet.Rejection of high heels, tight straps and artificial materials.
6. Heat and cold - alternating heating pads with hot or cold water relieves spasms, reduces swelling and pain.The change must be rapid to prevent overheating or hypothermia.
7. Numbing 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 by other methods.The procedure is similar to the removal of the dental nerve.Relieves joint pain, but the disease persists.
9. Traditional medicine - herbs, honey, eggshells, bay leaves and alcohol.There are many recipes for making medicinal tinctures and mixtures.They should not be used without consulting your doctor.
10. Acupuncture is traditional medicine, only Chinese.Acupuncture sometimes produces really impressive results.But performing such procedures requires great experience and professionalism.Choosing a specialist can be very long.

Prevention and treatment

Diseases are treated using the following therapy options:

• Medicine.Only inflammatory processes and pain syndromes are removed.Without additional techniques, the causes of the disease cannot be eliminated.
• Physiotherapy.Warming, pain-relieving procedures using medical equipment with different effects.Ultrasound, electrical stimulation.
• Therapeutic exercise.A set of simple special exercises is prescribed by a doctor to stimulate physical activity.
• Manual therapy.A combination of different techniques for active and passive manual pressure on knees, shoulders, hands, feet, legs, fingers, knees or elbows.This technique refers to the official treatment methods.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 prescribes a treatment regimen using one technique or another.

Diseases are in most cases chronic.With proper treatment, degenerative processes are only slowed down.

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

• Care should be taken to promptly treat any infections.
• 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 proper nutrition, maintaining an active lifestyle, feasible sports activity and daily walks will help prevent joint diseases.
• Gradual hardening of the body.

Simple steps help prevent long-term treatment, severe pain and disruption to your usual lifestyle.

How to forget joint and back pain

If your joints prevent you from living and moving fully, and the most expensive medicine does not help, then you should consult a professional doctor.Treatment on the advice of acquaintances and friends will not yield any results at best.In the worst case - worsening of the disease, transition to a chronic form, complete or partial loss of mobility.Before using a "proven" recipe, remember that the symptoms may be identical, but the diagnoses may be different.

The following recommendations will help you forget about pain forever:

• The treatment regimen for joints is only prescribed by a doctor;self-medication can have the most serious consequences.
• Treatment should include several methods - medicine, physiotherapy, homeopathic, physiotherapy.
• Self-diagnosis is unacceptable.
• Avoid steaming or rubbing sore 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 speedy recovery.
• Even after the onset of sustainable improvement, do not stop physical therapy.