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 have made it possible to successfully combat pathologies and prolong the lifespan 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 when all the joints in the body hurt, and how to treat pain in the muscles and bones.
causes of pain
Why do my joints hurt? The causes of joint pain may be related to:
- with injuries (dislocations, sprains of ligaments or tendons, fractures, microtraumas); pain during an injury is aching, pulling, stabbing, which bothers the victim even at rest;
- physical overload (sports or industrial); Constant physical overload causes microdamage to muscles and connective tissue. Joints wear out prematurely, causing degenerative diseases;
- joint pathologies.
The most common joint diseases are associated with damage to connective tissue, cartilage destruction, decreased bone density, infectious processes and metabolic disorders. Diseases caused by developmental anomalies (dysplasia, congenital dislocation or subluxation, congenital inflammatory-degenerative processes) are quite rare. We will consider only acquired diseases.
osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease associated with a decrease in bone density.It most often affects older people, 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.Very often, the initial development of osteoarthritis is the answer to the question of why knees hurt from the cold. The disease is irreversible, so its treatment aims to prevent further bone destruction and the development of joint deformities.
Arthritis
It has many varieties.It affects the connective tissue of the joint.The pain may increase gradually or may develop rapidly over a few days. The joints swell, the skin becomes red, and the joint tissue becomes warm to the touch.
The disease is treated according to its cause. If it is an infection (anti-inflammatories or antibiotics, autoimmune disorders in rheumatoid arthritis), immunosuppressants, in gouty arthritis, along with the use of NSAIDs, diet is required.
Patients' complaints about why joints throughout the body hurt simultaneously at night may be a sign of an aggressive form of rheumatoid arthritis or its harbinger. Otherwise, it may be a sign of intense physical fatigue.
Chronic rheumatism
Chronic rheumatism can last for years and affect internal organs.Characteristic symptoms include joint pain, which occurs 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 buildup of uric acid in the joints.Pain occasionally occurs in small joints.(hands, big toe).
The pain is oppressive 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, 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 joints hurt due to nervousness? "
How to relieve joint pain in the morning? To solve the problem, it is necessary to identify the cause. Could be:
- ankylosing spondylitis, which affects the large joints and spine;
- deforming osteoarthritis;
- fusion of bone, cartilage, or fibrous tissue after injury;
- osteochondrosis;
- bursitis, tendovaginitis.
Other reasons
Tendon diseases have symptoms similar to those of osteoarthritis. They differ in that with osteoarthritis the pain will be felt even at rest and with tendon disease it manifests itself only when the muscles are under tension.
A blocked or pinched nerve also has pain similar to osteoarthritis. But the pain appears suddenly and abruptly blocks the movement of the joint.
Vascular disorders are most commonly seen in the shoulder and knee joints. They are associated with vasospasm or reduced blood supply. This is common in adolescents 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 "aching. "As you get older, between the ages of 18 and 20, the pain goes away.
Diagnosis
Accurate diagnosis of joint diseases is the key to successful treatment.
General examination and palpation allow evaluation of the patient's posture and movements, swelling, range of motion, distribution and nature of pain.
By palpating the sore spot, one can determine, for example, the presence of rheumatoid nodules under the skin, changes in skin temperature and humidity, the location of pain, and the condition of the joint capsule.
Analysis
Laboratory tests of blood and urine can reveal a number of factors that indicate the presence of the disease. When conducting a biochemical blood test, attention is paid to the content of C-reactive protein and rheumatoid factor.
A high 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 analyzes 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 evaluate the condition 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.
If detailed analysis of bones and soft tissues is necessary, magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography are performed.Using it, the doctor will be able to determine the pinched nerve fibers, the state of blood vessels and the nature of damage to cartilage and bone tissue.
When to see a doctor
You need to 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 joint, with increased body temperature, skin rash or conjunctivitis, stomatitis;
- severe pain does not go away after taking pain relievers;
- Your joints hurt for more than a week for reasons unknown to you.
Treatment
How to treat joint pain? Anyone who has suffered an injury or suffered from joint pathology has faced this question.
Treatment of joints directly depends on the cause of their damage.To reduce symptoms, modern non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used.
In combination with them, vitamins and tissue restorative agents are prescribed.Physiotherapy and manual therapy methods accelerate the healing process. How to get rid of joint pain and fever will be described below.
Medicines
Pharmacological 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 is worth remembering that excessive consumption causes poisoning, damage to internal organs (liver, kidneys, stomach) or other disorders, so they should be taken only as prescribed by a doctor.
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 lymphatic 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 causes intense tension in the adjacent muscles, which reduces the mobility of the joint and causes persistent acute pain.
Vitamins and chondroprotectors.– an integral part of any joint therapy. They restore tissues and prevent 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 in the joints and prevent their destruction.
Vitamins with calcium improve the condition of bone tissue, increase its density and prevent its 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 intestine.
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 diagnosis, antibiotic therapy is performed.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 produce 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 that are used in extreme cases. They are prescribed for autoimmune pathologies and are taken only under the supervision of a doctor.
Home remedies
Traditional medicine offers many ways to treat joints. Before using them, be sure to consult with your doctor and analyze if 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 neglect your doctor's recommendations.
- Bay leaf tincture.Pour 20 bay leaves into 0. 5 liters of boiling water in a thermos and let it steep 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 sachet - 15-50 g) on the joint and cover with a cloth or gauze soaked in hot water, then wrap with film and a dry, warm cloth. Leave the compress overnight, repeat this for two weeks.
- Envelope.To wrap, take cabbage, coltsfoot or burdock leaves, tie them to the joint 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, stirring the mixture periodically. After that, the tincture can be used to rub sore joints.
- Lard rub.A small piece of lard is rubbed in circular motions on the painful area until it is completely dissolved.
- Honey and salt compress.Mix honey and fine salt in equal parts, apply to the joint, cover with plastic wrap and wrap with heat, leave overnight.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy is done to:
- restoration of metabolism in joint tissues;
- improve microcirculation and lymphatic drainage;
- reduce pain, swelling and inflammation;
- deeper penetration of the drug into the tissue (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.
Physiotherapy 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, pacemakers, neoplasms, epilepsy, pregnancy).
Massage and manual therapy have a beneficial effect on the elasticity of the muscles and ligaments of the joints. They can be used both as prevention and treatment.
Gym
During the rehabilitation period, a course of physiotherapy (physiotherapy) is carried out to restore mobility and prevent stagnation.It is prescribed by the treating doctor, orthopedist or physiotherapist.
Initially, the exercises are best performed 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. Then the course can be repeated at home.
Various types of gentle exercise and visits to the pool are helpful in keeping joints healthy.
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 pathological fluid is removed or medication is administered.
Arthroscopy provides minimal intervention.All manipulations are performed through small punctures using special endoscopic instruments.
It is performed to eliminate dead tissue, plastic ligaments, replace cartilage defects, eliminate chondromic bodies and heal the joint with deforming osteoarthritis.
Periarticular osteotomy is performed in the lower extremities to restore support and improve mobility.During the operation, the bone next to the affected joint is cut 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.
Stent replacement is performed to completely replace a joint while maintaining its mobility.
Prevention
To maintain healthy joints or maintain a long-term state of remission, it is necessary to follow simple recommendations.
If you suffer from chronic joint diseases, first of all strictly follow your doctor's recommendations and, if necessary, undergo regular examinations.
To provide nutrition to both the joint and the entire body, 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 meats, eggs, fresh seafood and fish, dishes containing gelatin (jellied or jellied meat), bread whole wheat and durum wheat pasta. wheat varieties.
At the same time, avoid overly salty, pickled and smoked foods, fatty meats and sweets. To learn how to create a balanced menu and form correct eating habits, you can seek the help of a nutritionist.
If necessary, use vitamin and mineral complexes.Glucosamine, chondroitin, vitamins B and D, calcium and polyunsaturated fatty acids are beneficial for joints.To achieve positive results, they must be taken in courses over 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 places a great strain on your joints and strive to reduce it.
To maintain mobility, you need to exercise and attend training that suits your physical abilities.To maintain good physical condition, they must be regular and not cause overload or discomfort. There are many types of workouts designed specifically for problematic joints and spine. These are kinesis, Pilates, yoga, TRX, water aerobics and other varieties.
Use special orthopedic and sports devices - accessories for arms, legs and body that provide protective and shock-absorbing functions: knee pads, corsets, elbow pads, sports clothing with a compression effect, shields and much more.
Avoid intense 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 preserve the health of our joints for a long time, maintain mobility and maintain a high quality of life.