Joint pain

If your joints hurt, this often indicates problems with the musculoskeletal system.

Why do joints hurt?

The main factors influencing the occurrence of pain in the joint structures are frequent physical activity, as well as stretching and irritation of the inner layer of the joint capsule or bone-fibrous canal, the so-called synovial membrane, which performs a kind of protective function, as it prevents the transition of inflammation from bone tissue to joint structures, and also improves metabolism in the cavity and nutrition of the articular cartilage. Problems with blood vessels and injuries can also provoke the occurrence of pain.

If your joints hurt, this may also indicate an inflammatory process or some degenerative-dystrophic phenomena.

Pathological processes in joint formations are called by the general term "arthralgia". The feeling of pain may appear along with an increase in skin temperature over the diseased organ, swelling of periarticular tissues, and limited mobility of the damaged segment.

Reasons why joints hurt

Diseases of the joint structures are usually divided into two groups: inflammatory and degenerative-dystrophic. The first group includes arthritis, the second - arthrosis.

Arthritis is characterized by joint pain, exudative phenomena and swelling of periarticular tissues. First of all, the synovial membrane is affected, subsequently, disturbances occur in the cartilage. With arthrosis, the pain is less pronounced, the temperature and blood tests remain normal. Despite the pronounced deformation, the disease passes without significant limitation of functions.

Despite the differences between these two groups of diseases, the main signs of arthritis and arthrosis (such as pain, their deformation) are very similar to each other and require differential diagnosis by a professional doctor.

Osteoarthritis is a fairly common chronic disease. It is based on the primary degeneration of articular cartilage, followed by bone growths. The origin of this pathology is unknown. There are suggestions that trauma and excessive stress can influence the development of osteoarthritis. The disease mainly affects older people, more often women. Patients often complain of joint pain; pain is observed in the hip joints or knee, less often in the phalangeal joint. There are no signs of inflammation, the temperature and tests are normal. Treatment: firstly, it is necessary to minimize the load on the affected articular cartilage. Physiotherapy procedures are prescribed as a pain reliever and to improve blood circulation (for example, paraffin or mud applications).

Professional arthritis is associated with prolonged exposure to unfavorable factors: prolonged physical overexertion, frequent hypothermia, forced constant sitting in an uncomfortable position (associated, for example, with professional activity). When questioned, you can find out that the joints hurt: the pain is mild, there is stiffness, crunching, cramps and soreness in the bones and muscles.

Treatment consists primarily of eliminating or limiting unfavorable factors. Good results are achieved by using thermal baths, mud or paraffin applications.

Rheumatoid arthritis can develop at any age, the disease progresses rapidly, is characterized by a state of stiffness in the morning for more than 30 minutes, patients say that their joints regularly hurt. This may be a consequence of immunopathological disorders in the body. The disease can also be provoked by stressful situations, frequent hypothermia, excessive physical overload, injuries. Rheumatoid arthritis can affect the hands, feet, knees, ankles. For diagnosis, they use the method of X-ray examination, laboratory tests. For prevention, it is recommended to avoid colds, reduce physical activity, practice therapeutic exercises.

Arthrosis is associated with metabolic disorders in cartilage tissue, which results in decreased elasticity and flexibility. Often, this group of diseases affects the lower limbs, and can also affect the hands and phalanges of the fingers. They develop slowly, people often complain that their joints hurt, and subsequently this disease leads to loss of mobility of the affected organ. Complex therapy for osteoarthritis consists of the following: the use of anti-inflammatory drugs containing chondroitin sulfate and hyaluronic acid. Massage courses, physiotherapy procedures, a therapeutic diet, and gymnastics are prescribed.

Age-related changes play a significant role in the development of pathological changes, since the functioning of the musculoskeletal system deteriorates with age.

If your joints hurt, do not put off treatment for later, be sure to consult a rheumatologist.