Joint pain is a common problem. Questions about what it is connected with and how to get rid of it do not leave people for a long time. Scientific discoveries have enabled a successful fight against pathologies and extended the life of the joints.
In this article, we will look at the causes and treatment of severe pain in the small joints of the hands and feet, what to do when all the joints of the body hurt, how to treat painful pains in muscles and bones.
Causes of pain
Why do my joints hurt? The causes of joint pain can be related to:
- in case of injuries (dislocations, sprains of ligaments or tendons, fractures, microtraumas); the pain during the injury is painful, pulling, shooting, which bothers the victim even at rest;
- physical overload (sports or industry); Constant physical overload leads to microdamage of muscles and connective tissue. Joints wear out prematurely, which leads to degenerative diseases;
- joint pathologies.
The most common joint diseases are associated with connective tissue damage, cartilage destruction, reduced bone density, infectious processes and metabolic disorders. Diseases caused by developmental abnormalities (dysplasia, congenital dislocation or subluxation, congenital inflammatory-degenerative processes) are quite rare. We will only take into account acquired diseases.
Arthrosis
Arthrosis is a degenerative disease associated with a decrease in bone density.It most often affects the elderly, women in menopause and people with metabolic disorders.
The pain syndrome develops slowly, gradually increases, its strength increases, and the pain is disturbing even at rest.Most often, the initial development of arthrosis is the answer to the question of why the knees hurt from the cold. The disease is irreversible, so its treatment is aimed at preventing further destruction of bones and the development of joint deformation.
Arthritis
There are many variants.It affects the connective tissue of the joint.The pain may increase gradually, or it may develop rapidly over several days. Joints swell, skin turns red, and joint tissue becomes hot to the touch.
The disease is treated depending on the cause. If it is an infection - anti-inflammatory drugs or antibiotics, autoimmune disorders in rheumatoid arthritis - immunosuppressants, in gouty arthritis, with the use of NSAIDs, a diet is required.
Complaints of patients about why the joints of the whole body hurt at the same time at night can be a sign of an aggressive form of rheumatoid arthritis or its harbinger. In another case, it can be a sign of serious physical fatigue.
Chronic rheumatism
Chronic rheumatism can last for years and affect the internal organs.Characteristic symptoms include pain in the joints, which occur from time to time, accompanied by swelling and elevated body temperature.
Joint damage due to gout is associated with metabolic disorders and the accumulation of uric acid in the joints.Pain occurs from time to time in the small joints(hands, toe).
The pain is pressing 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, it can be a sign of diseases such as:
- osteochondrosis with damage to 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 because of nervousness? ""
How to relieve joint pain in the morning? To solve the problem, it is necessary to identify the cause. It can 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 are similar in symptoms to arthrosis. They differ in that in arthrosis the pain is felt even at rest, while in tendon disease it manifests itself only when the muscles are under tension.
A block, or pinched nerve, is also similar in pain to osteoarthritis. But the pain appears suddenly and sharply blocks movement in the joint.
Vascular disorders most often occur in the shoulder and knee joints. They are associated with vasospasm or reduced blood supply. This is common in teenagers and is due to the fact that blood vessel growth occurs more slowly than bone growth.
The pain is symmetrical and similar to a "twist" or "pain". As you grow, at the age of 18-20, the pain goes away.
Diagnostics
Accurate diagnosis of joint disease is the key to successful treatment.
General examination and palpation allow assessment of the patient's posture and movement, swelling, range of motion, distribution and nature of pain.
By feeling the painful point, you can determine, for example, the presence of rheumatoid nodules under the skin, changes in temperature and humidity of the skin, localization of pain and 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. During biochemical blood analysis, attention is paid to the content of C-reactive protein and rheumatoid factor.
An increased level of ESR will indicate the presence of an inflammatory process, a high level of uric acid is manifested by arthritis and other joint pathologies.
Deviations from the norm in urine tests 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 assess joint conditions in degenerative diseases.. In such cases, the symmetry of the joint damage, the presence of deformations and the size of the inter-articular space are determined.
Magnetic resonance and computed tomography are performed if a detailed analysis of bones and soft tissue is necessary.Using it, the doctor will be able to determine the entrapment of nerve fibers, the condition of blood vessels and the nature of cartilage and bone tissue damage.
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;
- joint pain, with elevated body temperature, skin rash or conjunctivitis, stomatitis;
- severe pain does not go away after taking painkillers;
- your joints hurt for more than a week for unknown reasons.
Treatment
How to treat arthritis? Anyone who has been injured or suffered from joint pathology has faced this question.
Treatment of joints directly depends on the cause of their damage.Modern non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used to reduce symptoms.
In combination with them, vitamins and means for tissue regeneration are prescribed.Physiotherapy and manual therapy methods speed up the healing process. How to get rid of joint pain and fever will be described below.
Medicines
Drug treatment depends on the clinical picture and the patient's condition.
Complex drugs from the group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are used to relieve pain and inflammation.They quickly and effectively relieve symptoms and act in several directions at once: pain, swelling and inflammatory processes. But it should be remembered that their excessive consumption leads to intoxication, damage to internal organs (liver, kidneys, stomach) or other disorders, so they should be taken only according to the doctor's recommendation.
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 lymph drainage, 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 leads to strong tension in the adjacent muscles, which reduces mobility in the joint and causes permanent acute pain.
Vitamins and chondroprotectors– an integral part of every joint therapy. They restore tissues and prevent their further destruction. This is especially important if you have been diagnosed with a degenerative disease whose development can be stopped, but not completely eliminated. Preparations containing glucosamine and chondroitin participate in the regeneration of cartilage and connective tissue of joints and prevent their destruction.
Vitamins with calcium improve the condition of bone tissue, increase its density and prevent 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 intestines.
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 the diagnosis, antibiotic therapy is administered.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 give positive results.These are strong drugs and are used as a last resort. They quickly relieve severe pain and restore joint mobility. To achieve this, they are most often used in the form of injections and are injected directly into the joint.
Immunosuppressants are also powerful drugs used in extreme cases. They are prescribed for autoimmune pathologies and are taken only under the supervision of a doctor.
Folk remedies
Traditional medicine offers many ways to treat joints. Before use, be sure to consult your doctor and discuss whether there are contraindications or the 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 ignore the doctor's recommendations.
- Bay leaf tincture.Pour 0. 5 liters of boiling water over 20 bay leaves in a thermos and leave to stand for a day. The decoction can be taken in small sips during the day, the duration of treatment is 2 months.
- Gelatin compress.Sprinkle gelatin (1 bag - 15-50 g) on the joint and cover with a cloth or gauze soaked in hot water, then wrap with foil and a warm, dry cloth. Leave the compress overnight, repeat for two weeks.
- Wrap it up.For wrapping, take cabbage leaves, pods or burdock leaves, tie them to your wrist and leave them wrapped in a warm bandage overnight.
- Chestnut tincture.200 g of chestnut flowers are poured into 1 liter of vodka and left to stand for 2 weeks, occasionally shaking the mixture. Afterwards, the tincture can be used to rub painful joints.
- Rubbing lard.A small piece of lard is rubbed in circular motions on the sore spot until it melts completely.
- Honey and salt wraps.Mix honey and fine salt in equal parts, apply to the wrist, cover with transparent film and wrap it warm, leave it overnight.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy is performed for:
- restoration of metabolism in joint tissues;
- improvement of microcirculation and lymphatic drainage;
- reduction of pain, swelling and inflammation;
- deeper penetration of the drug into the tissue (electrophoresis with medicinal ointments);
- activating the process of natural regeneration.
Methods such as phonophoresis, electrophoresis, magnetic therapy, laser therapy, cryotherapy and shock wave therapy are used.
Physical therapy 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, pacemaker, neoplasms, epilepsy, pregnancy).
Massage and manual therapy have a beneficial effect on the elasticity of muscles and joint ligaments. They can be used both as prevention and as treatment.
gymnastics
During the rehabilitation period, a course of physical therapy (physical therapy) is conducted to restore mobility and prevent stagnation.It is prescribed by the attending physician, orthopedist or doctor of physical therapy.
In the beginning, it is best to do the exercises under the supervision of a doctor, he will explain to you how to properly perform this or that exercise and what it is for, how to breathe properly, and what not to do. Then the course can be repeated at home.
Various types of mild fitness and going to the pool are beneficial for maintaining healthy joints.
Surgical treatment
Surgical treatment is performed in cases when conservative treatment methods have been exhausted and do not give a positive result.
A wrist 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 a medicinal agent is applied.
Arthroscopy provides minimal intervention.All manipulations are performed through small punctures with the help of special endoscopic instruments.
It is performed for the purpose of removing dead tissue, plastic ligaments, replacing cartilage defects, removing chondroma bodies and repairing the joint in case of deforming arthrosis.
Periarticular osteotomy is performed on the lower extremities to restore support and improve mobility.During the operation, the bone adjacent to the affected joint is sawn and joined at a new angle. Because of this, the load is redistributed, pain is reduced and the development of the pathological process is prevented.
Endoprosthesis replacement is performed to completely replace the joint while maintaining its mobility.
Prevention
To maintain healthy joints or maintain a state of long-term remission, you must follow simple recommendations.
If you have chronic joint diseases, first of all, strictly follow the doctor's recommendations and, if necessary, undergo periodic examinations.
In order to ensure nutrition for both the joint itself and the whole body as a whole, include a variety of foods in your diet. These are fresh vegetables and fruits, nuts, minimally processed grains (rice, buckwheat, millet, pearl barley), lean fresh meat, eggs, seafood and fresh fish, dishes containing gelatin (gelatin or aspic), wholemeal bread and pastafrom the durum variety of wheat.
At the same time, avoid oversalted, sour and smoked foods, fatty meats and sweets. In order to learn how to make a balanced menu and form correct eating habits, you can seek help from a nutritionist.
If necessary, use vitamin-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 find out the best way to take your vitamins, talk to your doctor.
If you are overweight, you need to understand that this puts a lot of stress on your joints and try to reduce it.
To maintain mobility, you need to exercise and attend training sessions that match your physical capabilities.In order to maintain good physical condition, they must be regular and do not cause overload and discomfort. There are many types of exercises specifically designed for problematic joints and spine. These are kinesis, pilates, yoga, TRX, water aerobics and other variants.
Use special sports and orthopedic devices - accessories for arms, legs and body that provide cushioning and protection functions: knee pads, corsets, elbow pads, sports clothing with a compression effect, protectors and much more.
Avoid heavy physical activities and stress.
Conclusion
With the modern development of medicine, we have gained great opportunities for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment of many diseases. Modern methods of treatment, advances in pharmacology and surgery enable long-term preservation of the health of our joints, maintaining mobility and a high quality of life.