Joint pain is a specific unpleasant feeling that indicates a pathological process in the area of the joint itself or the tissues surrounding it.According to statistics, around 55% of people over 45 go to the doctor with such complaints.And after 70 years, this symptom occurs in 90% of patients.Why do unpleasant sensations arise?What to do if your joints hurt a lot?Which specialist should I contact if I need help?
Why can joints hurt?
Painful sensations in the joints are the result of irritation of the nerve endings emanating from the joint capsule.Due to a well-developed blood vessel network and good innervation, the joint is able to respond to pain reactions to various irritating factors (including toxins, salt crystals).
The main causes of joint pain:
- mechanical damage (as a result of injury or surgery);
- soft tissue disorders (adhesive capsulitis, myalgia, tendinopathy);
- osteoarthritis;
- arthritis (post-traumatic, gout, psoriasis);
- autoimmune diseases (rheumatoid arthritis, lupus erythematosus, dermatomyositis);
- benign and malignant tumors;
- Damage to nerve trunks.
Many people associate joint pain with changing weather conditions.However, in 2016, scientists at Colling University in Australia published an article that completely refuted this claim.Over three hundred volunteers took part in the study: each of them recorded pain for three to four months.It turned out that neither the occurrence of pain nor its intensity was associated with changes in barometric pressure or changes in temperature.
Which doctor should I contact if I need help?
If your joints hurt badly, you need to see a specialist as soon as possible.If the cause of the discomfort is associated with an injury (bruise, dislocation or fracture of varying degrees), you need to consult an orthopedic traumatologist.In other cases, you need to seek help from a rheumatologist.To accurately identify the cause of pain and prescribe treatment, diagnostic procedures are required:
- X-ray of the joint;
- ultrasound examination;
- MRI or CT (only if indicated);
- Joint puncture (if fluid accumulates in the joint);
- Arthroscopy.
How to relieve joint pain?
To eliminate joint discomfort, you can use non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.They reduce the severity of pain and relieve swelling.Anti-inflammatory ointments, creams and gels applied to the affected joint have the same effect.
In degenerative joint diseases (osteoarthrosis), chondroprotectors are indicated, which slow down the process of destruction of cartilage tissue.They are also available in the form of capsules, ointments and gels, tablets and intra-articular injections.
Regular therapeutic exercises also have a good effect.Properly selected exercises can help you eliminate pain and stiffness and restore mobility in your joints.Physiotherapeutic procedures can be used as additional treatment methods: massage, magnetic therapy, electrophoresis with various medications.