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 deterioration, a sedentary lifestyle, the appearance of new types of infections, the development of genetic diseases - there are many reasons why problems begin.
Causes of pain
Ligaments are movable parts of the skeleton that connect all the bones of the musculoskeletal system.Without them, it is impossible to carry out the most important functions of the body - bending, steering, 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 in time.
There can be several reasons why the joints hurt:
- Physical inactivity.Technological progress, along with undeniable benefits, promotes sedentary and sedentary work.All basic operations are performed by machines;people only control 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 (for example, builders, loaders, salesmen) do not contribute in any way to healthy joints.Serious loads are fraught with injuries and over the years will show up with pain in the limbs and back.
- Excess body weight.The necessary amount of oxygen ceases to flow to the joints, muscle mass decreases, irreversible changes occur in cartilage tissue and, as a result, painful pains appear.
- Environmental conditions.Living in megacities or in places with a large concentration of industrial enterprises - wherever harmful emissions in the atmosphere occur - has a negative effect on health.The risk of getting seriously ill and getting complications increases several times.
- Poor nutrition.Eating foods with few 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 appear.
- Age.The older a person is, the more he suffers from pain.The inevitable wear and tear of the musculoskeletal system leads to diseases that cause joint complications.It is worth noting that arthralgia becomes 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, as a rule, indicates the presence of some disease.These can 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 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, small and large.Often there are genetic causes that are inherited.
Bursitis of the joints - 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, which occurs with great swelling and excruciating pain.
Metabolic-dystrophic joint diseases
Gout.It is associated with increased production of uric acid against the background of impaired kidney function.It most often begins with the appearance of pain in the area of the big toes.The disease is typical for old age and people of specific professions (for example, dancers).Constant wearing of uncomfortable shoes also contributes to the development of the disease.Lovers of high heels should think about it.You don't have to sacrifice your health to fashion trends.
Arthrosis.Bone deformity due to cartilage disease.Dystrophic processes are accompanied by severe pain.
Joint necrosis.Impaired blood flow to the bone.Lack of oxygen and nutrients leads to bone death.First the joint suffers.Painful pain and stiffness of movement can become signs of an extremely dangerous disease.
Pathologies caused by trauma
Mechanical injuries of the joint.Therefore, a complication of an unsuccessful fall is more often observed in the knee joints.Less often - on the elbows.Symptoms appear immediately - sharp pains, 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 full or partial.Joint pain is accompanied by increased temperature and swelling in the dislocation area.Failure to seek medical help in a timely manner can cause the development of necrosis and disability.
Symptoms of joint pain
One or more diseased joints determine the general condition of the body.Symptoms are very wide and depend on the underlying cause.But there is still a standard set of signs that should require 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 holidays or weekends.
- Joint pains are so severe that the person is forced to stop working.
- Appearance of lameness.
- Unreasonable weight loss.
- Increased sweating.
- Body aches.
- Stable elevated temperature.
- Redness of the skin.
- Stiffness in the morning, without marked 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 concern, you should consult a doctor.
A preventive examination will help identify the disease at an early stage and guarantee a complete cure.
Disposal methods
- Local preparations - ointments, gels, creams, patches containing anesthetics and active anti-inflammatory substances.
- Steroid injections have a powerful anti-inflammatory effect throughout the body.
- Hyaluronic acid injections - a thick fluid is one of the components of cartilage, it helps to cope with inflammatory processes.
- Physical therapy is a set of exercises that help maintain muscle tone and build muscle mass around injured joints.
- Wearing only comfortable shoes - high-quality, soft, flexible shoes will reduce the load on sore feet.Rejection of high heels, tight clothing and artificial materials.
- Heat and cold - alternating heating pads with warm or cold water relieves spasms, reduces swelling and pain.The change must be rapid to prevent overheating or hypothermia.
- Anesthesia of problem areas - an injection of anesthesia directly into the injured area.Quickly relieves excruciating pain.
- Nerve damage.It is used in cases where there are no positive results after other methods.The procedure is similar to the removal of the dental nerve.It relieves joint pain, but the disease remains.
- Traditional medicine - herbs, honey, eggshells, bay leaves and alcohol.There are many recipes for the preparation of medicinal tinctures and mixtures.They should not be used without consulting your doctor.
- Acupuncture is traditional Chinese medicine.Acupuncture sometimes produces impressive results.But carrying out such procedures requires extensive 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, analgesic procedures using medical devices with different effects.Ultrasound, electrical stimulation.
- Therapeutic exercises.A set of simple special exercises is prescribed by a doctor to stimulate physical activity.
- Manual therapy.A combination of different techniques of active and passive manual pressure on the 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 making a diagnosis and determining the causes, the attending physician prescribes a treatment regimen using one or another technique.
Diseases in most cases are chronic.With proper treatment, the degenerative processes only slow down.
Therefore, diseases are much easier to prevent than to cure:
- Care 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 joints.
- In addition to proper nutrition, maintaining an active lifestyle, feasible sports activity and daily walks will help prevent joint diseases.
- Gradual strengthening of the body.
Simple steps will help prevent long 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 drugs do not help, then you should consult a professional doctor.Treatment with the advice of acquaintances and friends, in the best case, will not give any result.In the worst case - worsening of the disease, transition to a chronic form, complete or partial loss of mobility.Before using a "proven" prescription, you should remember that the symptoms may be identical, but the diagnoses may be different.
The following recommendations will help you forget the pain forever:
- The treatment regimen for 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 the temporary relief, this can accelerate the process of cartilage tissue destruction.
- Don't do recommended physical therapy exercises through "pain."Being comfortable is the key to a speedy recovery.
- Even after steady improvement begins, do not stop physical therapy.