Joint pain is experienced by millions of people around the world.According to the official data of the World Health Organization, more than 80% of the population suffers from joint diseases.Ecological degradation, a sedentary lifestyle, the appearance of new types of infections, the development of genetic diseases - there are many reasons why problems start.
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 functioning.It is important not to ignore the alarming symptoms and start treatment on time.
Joint pain can have several causes:
- Physical inactivity.Technological development, together with its undeniable advantages, promotes sedentary work.All basic operations are performed by machines;man only controls 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 related to constant movement (for example, builders, loaders, salesmen) do not contribute to the health of the joints in any way.Heavy loads are associated with injuries and over the years manifest themselves in pain in the limbs and spine.
- Excess body weight.The necessary amount of oxygen ceases in the joints, muscle mass decreases, irreversible changes occur in cartilage tissues, and as a result, aching pain occurs.
- Environmental conditions.In big cities or places with a high concentration of industrial enterprises - where harmful emissions into the atmosphere occur - it has a harmful effect on health.The risk of serious illness and complications increases many times over.
- Bad nutrition.Eating foods low in vitamins and microelements necessary for the body negatively affects the general condition of the body.This immediately affects the mobility of the connecting parts.Discomfort and pain occur.
- Age.The older a person is, the more they suffer from pain.The inevitable wear and tear of the musculoskeletal system leads to diseases that cause complications in the joints.It is worth noting that arthralgia becomes younger every year due to the above reasons.
Types of diseases
Many people suffer from diseases and only a small part of them go to the doctor.But joint pain usually indicates the presence of some disease.These can be neglected injuries or hidden inflammatory processes.That is why it is so important to contact a rheumatologist or orthopedist for diagnosis and timely treatment.
The classification divides the diseases into inflammatory, metabolic-dystrophic and pathological diseases.Below is a list of the most common joint diseases of 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 occurs between the bones and an inflammatory process occurs.As the disease progresses, mobility is lost, edema and swelling appear.It affects all species, both young and old.It often has hereditary genetic causes.
Articular bursitis - the disease affects the shoulder, knee and hip joints.Excess fluid accumulates between the surfaces of the bones, in the cavity of the synovial bursa.The inflammatory process begins, which is accompanied by great swelling and unbearable pain.
Metabolic-dystrophic diseases of the joints
Gout.It is related to the increased production of uric acid against the background of impaired kidney function.Most often, it begins with the appearance of pain in the area of the big toes.The disease is characteristic of the elderly and people of certain professions (for example, dancers).Constant wearing of uncomfortable shoes also contributes to the development of the disease.High heel lovers should think about it.You shouldn't sacrifice your health for fashion trends.
Arthrosis.Bone deformation due to cartilage tissue disease.Dystrophic processes are accompanied by severe pain.
Necrosis of joints.Violation of blood flow to the bone.The lack of oxygen and nutrients leads to the destruction of bones.The joint suffers first.Aching pain and stiffness in movement can be signs of an extremely dangerous disease.
Pathologies caused by trauma
Mechanical damage to the joint.The complication of an unsuccessful fall is therefore most often observed in the knee joints.Less often - in the elbow.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.Displacement can be total or partial.Joint pain is accompanied by increased temperature and swelling in the area of dislocation.Failure to seek medical help in time can lead to necrosis and disability.
Symptoms of joint pain
One or more diseased joints determine the general condition of the body.Symptoms are very broad and depend on the underlying cause.But there is still a standard set of signs that require immediate medical attention:
- Severe pain in one or more joints.
- The pain occurs at any time of the day and lasts for a short time.
- The discomfort and stiffness of movement only occurs during rest time - on vacation or at the weekend.
- The joint pain is so strong that the person is forced to stop working.
- Appearance of lameness.
- Unreasonable weight loss.
- Increased sweating.
- Body pains.
- Persistently elevated temperature.
- Skin rashes.
- Morning stiffness without pronounced pain.
- Change in gait.
- 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, a doctor should be consulted.
A preventive examination helps to identify the disease at an early stage and guarantee a complete recovery.
Disposal methods
- Topical preparations - ointments, gels, creams, patches containing anesthetic and anti-inflammatory agents.
- Steroid injections have a strong anti-inflammatory effect throughout the body.
- Hyaluronic acid injections - the thick liquid is one of the components of cartilage, it helps to cope with inflammatory processes.
- Physical therapy is a series of exercises that help maintain muscle tone and increase muscle mass around painful joints.
- Only wear comfortable shoes - high-quality, soft, easily bendable shoes reduce the burden on sore feet.Rejection of high heels, tight pants and artificial materials.
- Hot and cold – a heating pad that alternates between hot and cold water relieves cramps, reduces swelling and pain.The change must be quick to avoid overheating or hypothermia.
- Anesthesia of problem areas - anesthetic injection directly into the painful area.Quickly relieves unbearable pain.
- Destruction of nerves.It is used in cases where there are no positive results after other methods.The procedure is similar to dental nerve removal.It relieves joint pain, but the disease remains.
- Traditional medicine - herbs, honey, eggshell, bay leaves and alcohol.There are many recipes for making medicinal tinctures and mixtures.They should not be used without consulting your doctor.
- Acupuncture is traditional medicine, only Chinese.Acupuncture sometimes has really amazing results.But the implementation of such procedures requires a lot of experience and professionalism.Choosing a specialist can be very long.
Prevention and treatment
Diseases are treated with the following therapeutic options:
- Drug treatment.Only inflammatory processes and pain syndromes are removed.Without additional techniques, the causes of the disease cannot be eliminated.
- Physiotherapy.Warming and pain-relieving procedures with different effective medical devices.Ultrasound, electrical stimulation.
- Therapeutic practice.The doctor prescribes a series of simple special exercises to stimulate physical activity.
- Manual therapy.A combination of different techniques of active and passive manual pressure on knees, shoulders, hands, feet, legs, fingers, knees or elbows.This technique refers to 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 establishing the diagnosis and determining the causes, the attending physician prescribes a treatment regimen using one or another technique.
In most cases, the diseases are chronic.Degenerative processes only slow down with proper treatment.
Therefore, it is much easier to prevent diseases than to cure them:
- Care should be taken to treat possible infections immediately.
- The diet should contain a sufficient amount of vitamins, minerals and trace elements.Vitamins A, B5 and B6, C, E, as well as copper, selenium and glucosamine have a particularly beneficial effect on the joints.
- In addition to proper nutrition, maintaining an active lifestyle, feasible sports activities and daily walks help prevent joint diseases.
- Gradual hardening of the body.
Simple steps will help you avoid long-term treatment, severe pain and disruption of your usual lifestyle.
How to forget joint and back pain
If your joints prevent you from living a full life and moving, and even the most expensive drugs do not help, then consult a specialist.Treatment on the advice of acquaintances and friends does not give results in the best case.In the worst case - exacerbation 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 the same, but the diagnoses may be different.
The following recommendations will help you forget the pain forever:
- The treatment regimen for the joints is prescribed only by a doctor;self-medication can have the most serious consequences.
- Treatment should include several methods - medication, physiotherapy, homeopathy, physical therapy.
- Self-diagnosis is unacceptable.
- Do not steam or rub sore joints.Despite temporary relief, this can accelerate the process of cartilage tissue destruction.
- Do not perform recommended physical therapy exercises "in pain."Feeling comfortable is the key to a quick recovery.
- Even after the start of sustainable improvement, you do not stop physical therapy.