What to do if your joints are injured

Joint pain is a common problem. The question of what it is related to and how to get rid of it has not left people for a long time. Scientific discoveries have made it possible to successfully fight disease and extend the life of joints.In this article, we'll explore the causes and treatments for severe pain in the small joints of your arms and legs, what to do when all the joints in your body are injured, and how to treat muscle and bone soreness.

cause of pain

Why do my joints hurt? The cause of joint pain may be related to the following factors:

• Injury (dislocation, ligament or tendon sprain, fracture, minor injury); The pain from the injury is aching, pulling, stinging, which can bother the victim even at rest;
• Physical overload (sport or industry); Sustained physical overload can lead to micro-damage in muscles and connective tissue. Premature wear and tear on joints, leading to degenerative diseases;
• Joint disease.

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 dislocations or subluxations, congenital inflammatory degenerative processes) are very rare. We will only consider acquired diseases.

joint

Arthropathy is a degenerative disease associated with loss of bone density.It is most common in the elderly, menopausal women and people with metabolic disorders.The pain syndrome develops slowly, gradually worsens, increases in intensity, and causes disturbing pain even at rest.In most cases, the initial development of arthrosis is the answer to the question of why the knees hurt from the cold. The disease is irreversible, so treatment is aimed at preventing further bone destruction and joint deformity from developing.

arthritis

There are many varieties.It affects the connective tissue of the joints.The pain may get worse gradually over a few days or it may get worse quickly. The joints swell, the skin becomes red, and the joint tissue feels hot to the touch.The disease is treated according to its cause. In the case of infection - anti-inflammatory drugs or antibiotics, in the autoimmune disease rheumatoid arthritis - immunosuppressants, in gouty arthritis, as well as in the case of the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, diet is required.Patient complaints of joint pain all over the body at night may be a sign of the aggressive nature of rheumatoid arthritis or a precursor to it. In another case, it could be a sign of severe physical fatigue.

chronic rheumatism

Chronic rheumatic disease can last for years and affect internal organs.Characteristic symptoms include joint pain, which often occurs, along with swelling and increased body temperature.Joint damage caused by gout is related to metabolic disorders and the accumulation of uric acid in the joints.Frequent pain in small joints(hands, big toes).The pain is pressing, throbbing, and disturbing at night.In chronic forms, lumps may form– Accumulation of uric acid in joints.If your entire spine starts to hurt, it could be a sign of:

• Osteochondrosis with disc damage;
• Spondylosis;
• Infectious lesions of the spine, including tuberculosis;
• Stress, as a psychosomatic response to a stimulus, answers the question: "Can joints be injured from tension? "

How to relieve joint pain in the morning? To solve a problem, the cause must be identified. possible:

• ankylosing spondylitis, which affects the large joints and spine;
• Osteoarthritis deformans;
• Fusion of bone, cartilage, or fibrous tissue after injury;
• osteochondrosis;
• Bursitis, tenosynovitis.

other reasons

The symptoms of tendon disease are similar to those of the joints. They differ in that, with arthropathy, pain is felt even at rest, whereas with tendon disease, it only manifests when the muscles are under tension. Pain from a blockage or pinched nerve can also mimic arthropathy. But the pain appears suddenly, severely hampering joint movement.Vascular disease is most common in the shoulder and knee joints. They are associated with vasospasm, or reduced blood supply. This is common in teenagers because blood vessels grow more slowly than bones.The pain is symmetrical and resembles a "twist" or "ache". As you grow, by the age of 18-20, the pain will go away.

diagnosis

Accurate diagnosis of joint disease is key to successful treatment.General examination and palpation can assess the patient's posture and movement, swelling, range of motion, distribution and nature of pain.By feeling the sore spots, you can determine the presence of rheumatoid nodules under the skin, changes in skin temperature and moisture, the location of the pain, and the condition of the joint capsule.

analyze

Laboratory tests of blood and urine can reveal many factors that indicate the presence of the disease. When conducting blood biochemical tests, pay attention to the levels of C-reactive protein and rheumatoid factor.Elevated ESR levels indicate an inflammatory process; high levels of uric acid manifest in arthritis and other joint pathologies.Deviations from normal values in urine tests are detected only in severe cases of the disease.

X-rays and MRI

X-rays are often used to rule out bone damage from injury and to evaluate the condition of joints in degenerative diseases.. In this case, determine the symmetry of the joint damage, the presence of deformation, and the size of the joint space.Magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography are performed if detailed analysis of bones and soft tissues is required.Using it, doctors will be able to determine the condition of compressed nerve fibers, 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 an injury, you experience severe pain, joint swelling, and changes in contour; this may indicate a dislocation or fracture; in this case, an orthopedic surgeon or surgeon will help;
• Joint pain, increased body temperature, skin rash or conjunctivitis, stomatitis;
• Severe pain that does not go away after taking painkillers;
• For reasons unknown to you, your joints have been aching for over a week.

treat

How to Treat Joint Pain? Anyone who has been injured or has joint disease has faced this problem.The treatment of a joint depends directly on the cause of its damage.To reduce symptoms, modern non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used.Combined with them are vitamins and tissue restorers.Physical therapy and manual therapy methods can speed up the healing process. Here's how to get rid of joint pain and fever.

drug

Drug therapy depends on the patient's clinical presentation and condition.To relieve pain and inflammation, complex medications called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are used.They provide rapid and effective relief of symptoms and work simultaneously in several directions: pain, swelling and inflammatory processes. However, it should be remembered that excessive consumption can lead to poisoning, damage to internal organs (liver, kidneys, stomach) or other diseases, so it should only be taken as prescribed by your doctor.

attention!If there is no urgent need to take tablets, these same products are available in gel and ointment forms.

To improve blood supply, intravenous administration is required.They restore blood supply, help reduce swelling caused by lymphatic drainage, remove toxins and improve tissue nutrition. Muscle relaxants are used to relieve severe muscle spasms.This is necessary if compression of the nerve endings causes severe tension in adjacent muscles, thereby reducing joint mobility and causing persistent acute pain.Vitamins and cartilage protectants– An integral part of any joint treatment. They repair tissue and prevent its further destruction. This is especially important if you have been diagnosed with a degenerative disease, whose progression can be stopped but not completely eliminated. Preparations containing glucosamine and chondroitin participate in the regeneration of joint cartilage and connective tissue and prevent their destruction.Vitamins and calcium improve the condition of bone tissue, increase its density and prevent destruction.Vitamin D is necessary for calcium synthesis in the body. It regulates calcium and phosphorus metabolism, participates in bone formation, and improves intestinal absorption of calcium.Zinc is necessary for maintaining the reproductive system and the synthesis of sex hormones. When they are lacking, bone tissue is destroyed.Copper is important in the formation of elastin and collagen, which are part of the connective tissue in joints.If an infection is discovered during diagnosis, antibiotic treatment will be given.The type and duration of the disease 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 can quickly relieve severe pain and restore joint mobility. For this purpose, 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 used to treat autoimmune diseases and should only be taken under the supervision of a doctor.

folk remedies

Traditional medicine offers many ways to treat joints. Always consult your doctor before using them and discuss any contraindications or allergy risks.Home remedies for treating joints can only be used as auxiliary methods. You shouldn't put it first and ignore your doctor's advice.

• Bay leaf tincture.Pour 20 bay leaves into 0. 5 liters of boiling water in a thermos and let soak for a day. The decoction can be taken orally in small doses throughout the day, and the course of treatment is 2 months.
• Gelatin compression.Sprinkle gelatin (1 bag - 15-50 g) over the joint and cover it with a cloth or gauze soaked in hot water, then wrap it in a film and a warm dry cloth. Leave the dressing on overnight and repeat for two weeks.
• wrap.To wrap, take cabbage, coltsfoot or burdock leaves, tie them around the joint, wrap it in a warm bandage and leave it overnight.
• Chestnut Tincture.Pour 200 g of chestnut flowers into 1 liter of vodka and let soak for 2 weeks, shaking the mixture regularly. Afterwards, the tincture can be used to rub the painful joints.
• Lard rub.Rub a small piece of lard into the sore area in a circular motion until it is completely dissolved.
• Honey and salt compress.Mix equal parts honey and fine salt, apply to the joints, cover with plastic wrap and wrap warm, and leave overnight.

physiotherapy

The goals of physical therapy are:

• Restore metabolism of joint tissues;
• Improve microcirculation and lymphatic drainage;
• Reduce pain, swelling and inflammation;
• Drugs penetrate deeper into tissues (electrophoresis using ointments);
• Activates natural regeneration processes.

Methods used include sonotherapy, electrophoresis, magnetic therapy, laser therapy, cryotherapy and shock wave therapy.Physical therapy has many benefits. It is suitable for most patients, does not cause allergies and has minimal contraindications (acute phase of infectious diseases, pacemakers, tumors, epilepsy, pregnancy). Massage and manual therapy have a beneficial effect on the elasticity of muscles and joints and ligaments. They can be used both preventatively and therapeutically.

gymnastics

During recovery, a course of physical therapy (physical therapy) is performed to restore mobility and prevent stagnation.It is prescribed by your primary care physician, orthopedic surgeon, or sports therapist.Initially, these exercises are best performed under the supervision of a doctor; he will explain how to perform this or that exercise correctly and its purpose, how to breathe correctly and what not to do. The course can then be repeated at home.Various types of gentle exercise and going to the pool can help keep your joints healthy.

Surgical treatment

Surgical treatment may be performed when conservative treatment options have been exhausted without positive results.Arthrocentesis is used for diagnosis and treatment.A thin needle is inserted into the joint cavity and pathological fluid is removed or medicine is administered with the help of the needle.Arthroscopy provides minimal intervention.All operations are performed through small punctures using special endoscopic instruments.Its purpose is to remove necrotic tissue, plastic ligaments, replace cartilage defects, remove cartilage bodies, and clean deformed joints.Periarticular osteotomies are performed on the lower extremities to restore support and improve mobility.During the surgery, the bones next to the affected joint are sawed open and fused at a new angle. As a result, the load is redistributed, pain is relieved and the development of pathological processes is prevented.Endoprosthetic replacement is performed to completely replace the joint while maintaining its mobility.

prevention

To keep your joints healthy or maintain long-term relief, you need to follow simple advice.If you suffer from chronic joint disease, first strictly follow your doctor's advice and have regular check-ups if necessary.To provide nutrients to the joints themselves and the body as a whole, include a variety of foods in your diet.These are fresh vegetables and fruits, nuts, minimally processed cereals (rice, buckwheat, millet, barley), fresh lean meat, eggs, seafood and fresh fish, dishes containing gelatin (aspic or aspic), whole wheat breadand durum pasta wheat varieties.Also, avoid salty, pickled and smoked foods, fatty meats and sweets. In order to learn how to create a balanced menu and develop correct eating habits, you can seek help from a nutritionist.If necessary, use a vitamin and mineral complex.Glucosamine, chondroitin, vitamins B and D, calcium and polyunsaturated fatty acids are good for joints.In order to achieve positive results, these lessons must be learned over the long term. To learn about 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 work to reduce that stress.To maintain mobility, you need to exercise and participate in exercises that are appropriate for your physical abilities.In order to maintain good physical condition, exercise must be regular and not cause overload and discomfort. There are many types of exercises designed specifically to target problem joints and spine. These include exercise, Pilates, yoga, TRX, water aerobics and more.Use special sports and orthopedic equipment - accessories that provide shock absorption and protection for the arms, legs and body: knee pads, corsets, elbow pads, sportswear with compression, protective shields, etc.Avoid strenuous physical activity and stress.

in conclusion

With the development of modern medicine, we have gained tremendous opportunities for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment of many diseases. Advances in modern treatments, pharmacology, and surgery allow us to maintain joint health, maintain mobility, and maintain a high quality of life over the long term.