Painful sensations in the joint area are a common reason to see a doctor.What to do if the joints in your arms and legs hurt depends on the root cause of the problem.
Various causes of joint pain
The most common causes of joint pain are associated with the following conditions:
- arthritis (infectious and rheumatic);
- drop;
- osteoarthritis;
- psoriasis (psoriatic arthritis);
- osteomyelitis;
- osteophytes;
- bursitis;
- flat feet;
- wound.
Pain can also be caused by neurological diseases and vascular disorders.
Arthritis
Arthritis is a common disease that often leads to disability.If earlier this diagnosis was given mainly to people over 30 years old, today it is also faced by quite young people.
The most typical symptoms of arthritis include severe pain in the joint region, which initially appears only at night, then becomes constant.If arthritis affects the leg joints, walking becomes uncomfortable and gait changes.The skin turns red, muscles begin to break down, and body temperature may increase slightly.
After sleep, a feeling of stiffness appears and pain peaks.
There are two forms of this disease:
- Rheumatoid arthritis.It can occur as a result of age-related changes, severe hypothermia, injuries, and also under the influence of hereditary factors.
- Infectious arthritis.It develops against the background of various types of infectious diseases.
When affected by arthritis, complete destruction of the articular cartilage occurs, accompanied by severe pain.Pain in the toes may radiate to the kneecaps or groin area.The most reliable way to diagnose any form of arthritis is through x-ray.
The following methods of treating this disease are distinguished:
- Antibiotics.Prescribed when identifying infectious tissue lesions and helping to restore joints.
- Ointments and gelsto relieve swelling, relieve pain and reduce redness.
- Dietary supplements.Used to stimulate connective tissue, they are useful in the early stages of the disease, as they can prevent the need for more serious treatments.
- Corticosteroids.They are injected into the most affected joints and can be used for many months if a pronounced positive effect is observed.
Drug treatment is effectively combined with physiotherapy, physiotherapy and massage.
Drop
Gout most often affects the joints of the fingers and toes, especially the thumbs.In this case, uric acid salts accumulate in crystalline form.
The disease can be recognized by the following signs:
- The joints in the arms and legs hurt.Only a specialist can tell you what to do in this case, but a clear sign of gout is sharp, paroxysmal pain in the fingers.Most often they manifest themselves at night and become dull during the day.
- There are intervals between exacerbations, sometimes very long.They can give the false impression that there are no health problems.
- Deterioration of general condition.
- Increased temperature in the affected joint area.
- Swelling of varying degrees of severity.
- The appearance of tophi - “nodules” under the skin, which consist of urates.
The following factors can influence the occurrence of gout:
- overweight;
- regular consumption of strong coffee and alcohol;
- kidney disease;
- genetic predisposition;
- poor nutrition;
- high blood pressure;
- diabetes mellitus
To diagnose the disease, blood and urine tests are performed and, sometimes, it is necessary to collect a sample of synovial fluid.
The main treatment measure is to follow a strict diet, which involves avoiding fish and fatty meats, offal, broths, canned foods, sausages, salt and seasonings.The consumption of coffee, tea and cocoa is limited as much as possible and alcoholic beverages are completely excluded.Without following the diet prescribed by the doctor, full recovery is not possible.
Drug therapy is selected individually, depending on the characteristics of the disease and the patient's condition.The medications used reduce the production of uric acid salts, accelerate the process of their elimination and have an anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect.Compresses, lotions and bandages are also used.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is a serious disease that causes inflammation and swelling.As it progresses, it leads to serious impairments in mobility and irreversible degradation of the joint.The first signs of the disease are expressed in numbness of the fingers and a strong, unusual feeling of fatigue.
In the early stages, it is difficult to recognize pain in small joints, which is why the most common complaint from patients is discomfort at the base of the fingers.If you try to bend them, the pain will become even more severe.In most cases, osteoarthritis affects several joints at the same time.The problem can be diagnosed using x-rays.
The following factors can influence the development of the disease:
- changes in hormonal levels, leading to fluid retention in the body;
- atherosclerosis of the extremities;
- gout and other diseases associated with metabolic disorders;
- diabetes mellitus;
- influence of streptococci and staphylococci;
- caries.
Arthrosis of the toe joints can develop against the background of incorrect foot positioning, wearing bad shoes, being overweight, low mobility and other aggravating factors.
The joints of the arms and legs hurt;Only a specialist can answer what to do with osteoarthritis.
But today it is almost impossible to cure this disease with conservative methods.Carrying out intra-articular injections is possible, but quite difficult and risky.Gels, ointments, compresses and lotions can provide an anti-inflammatory effect and slightly relieve pain.
Modern and classical manual therapy methods will help in this situation.Visible results can be achieved in just a few sessions, but achieving long-term remission is only possible in those stages of the disease when the destructive processes have not yet affected the bone.
Psoriasis
Joint psoriasis, or psoriatic arthritis, sometimes affects people who have psoriasis, a complex skin disease.It causes pain and stiffness in the affected joints, which is chronic.
Psoriatic arthritis can start suddenly or develop gradually, so it is important to inform your doctor immediately if symptoms appear.It is currently unknown why psoriasis occurs, but doctors suggest that hereditary factors and negative environmental influences may influence its development.
There is no specific treatment for this disease, so in most cases therapy aims to reduce the inflammatory process, preventing pain and loss of joint function.In rare cases, surgical intervention is resorted to.
Osteomyelitis
Osteomyelitis is a purulent inflammatory process in the bone marrow, periosteum and bone.Its development is most often caused by microorganisms such as E. coli, salmonella, streptococci and staphylococci.In rarer situations, it ends up being a complication of other diseases.
The disease affects a person with general body weakness, joint pain and muscle pain.
There is then a rapid increase in body temperature, the pain is clearly localized in the affected area, intensifying with each movement.In addition, the purulent process begins to spread very quickly to the surrounding tissues and sepsis may occur.It is necessary to take urgent measures at the slightest suspicion of the presence of this pathology, otherwise the patient cannot be saved.
Treatment is with antibiotics, which are selected according to the bacteria detected.Surgical therapy is widely used.
Osteophytes
Osteophytes are growths that develop when the nutrient supply to the articular cartilage is interrupted.
Its presence can be detected by the following signs:
- crunching in the joints;
- joint discomfort when the weather changes;
- difficulty straightening legs or arms after a night's sleep;
- painful sensations.
Depending on the stage, treatment may be conservative or involve surgical intervention.Drug therapy involves the prescription of NSAIDs, chondroprotectors, as well as agents that stimulate the improvement of tissue nutrition.
Intra-articular injection of hyaluronic acid is often used.Physiotherapeutic procedures and massage sessions have a positive effect.
Bursitis
Bursitis is an inflammatory process of the mucous bursae located close to the joints.It most often occurs in the shoulder joints, but also occurs in the knee, hip, and elbow joints.The causative agent of the disease can be infections, injuries, mechanical damage, but it often appears for no apparent reason.
The joints of the arms and legs hurt, what to do with bursitis:
- rest mode is provided;
- antibiotics or corticosteroids are prescribed;
- compresses are performed;
- analgesics and anti-inflammatories are used.
In some cases, surgery is necessary.
Flat feet
Flat feet can cause pain in the leg joints.It may not manifest itself in any way for a long time, so it is especially important to pay attention to its signs.
They are the following:
- difficulty balancing on the heels;
- shoes wear out only on one side;
- when walking and standing, your legs get tired quickly;
- at the end of the day, the feet swell and feel heavy;
- leg cramps;
- back pain appears;
- old shoes become very small.
The disease can be diagnosed using x-rays.Treatment is directly determined by the stage of the disease, the patient's lifestyle and the presence of concomitant diseases.In the initial stages, physical education, therapeutic massage and physiotherapy are carried out.If the problem is severe, special shoes are prescribed that shape the correct arch of the foot.
Trauma
Joint injuries include ligament damage, dislocations, hematomas, and intra-articular fractures.To clarify the diagnosis, various studies are used, including computed tomography, radiography, magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasound.The main symptoms are pain, swelling and movement restrictions.
The joints of the arms and legs hurt, what to do in case of injury:
- contact a specialist to determine the nature of the injury;
- provide adequate rest to the damaged joint;
- use a cooling compress.
Diet for joint diseases
Poor nutrition can not only aggravate the condition of the joints, but also become the main cause of many serious diseases.Therefore, in the process of treating any problems related to cartilage and connective tissue, it is recommended to follow a balanced diet.
A specific nutritional system is prescribed in accordance with a specific disease, but there are also general recommendations:
- limit the consumption of fast carbohydrates;
- reduce the amount of salt in the diet;
- give up spicy foods, smoked meats and canned food;
- Give preference to roasting and stewing, avoiding fried foods.
Joint pain during pregnancy
What to do when the joints of the arms and legs hurt during pregnancy, only a specialist can answer.The fact is that we can talk about both one of the pathological conditions and a variant of the norm.When carrying a child, a woman's hormonal background changes, which often negatively affects the joints.In addition, body weight increases, inevitably increasing the load on the legs.
Joints are not always able to adapt quickly to this.The third trimester of pregnancy is characterized by swelling, which most often affects the feet and hands.In turn, this causes pain and a feeling of stiffness.In the first trimester, it is recommended to spend more time resting so that the body adapts more easily to the changes.
After consulting a doctor and in the absence of contraindications, it will be very useful to do special gymnastics or yoga for pregnant women.A proper diet and drinking plenty of fluids will help you deal with joint discomfort.
To alleviate the condition, it is recommended to follow these tips:
- eat foods rich in vitamin D and calcium;
- wear comfortable, high-quality shoes without heels;
- control weight gain and prevent sudden changes;
- spend more time outdoors;
- take special complexes for pregnant women (after consulting a specialist);
- give up monotonous physical work;
- do yoga, gymnastics or swimming (in the absence of contraindications);
- maintain a stable psycho-emotional state;
- Self-massage your hands and knees with gentle rubbing and patting movements.
During pregnancy, it is very important to be aware of any pain, including in the joint area.Carrying a child can negatively affect the course of any pathological process, aggravating it and accelerating the development of the disease.
Home treatment methods
The use of folk remedies is one of the good ways to speed up the process of treating joint diseases, alleviate symptoms and alleviate the patient's condition.
Of all home treatment methods, the most popular are the following:
- heated compresses based on paraffin, salt, clay or potatoes;
- alcohol-infused lotions and rubs;
- baths, lotions and compresses made from plant decoctions;
- compresses with honey.
Depending on your objectives, you can resort to the following procedures:
- To get rid of pain, the most useful remedies are those based on honey, alcohol, turpentine and bee products.Even a single use of a compress significantly alleviates the condition if the pain is moderate.
- Potato compresses are widely used to warm joints.Hot mashed potatoes are applied to the joint area, covered with film and wrapped in a scarf.The compress is kept until the potatoes cool completely.
- Alcohol-based products have good anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties.To prepare the simplest of them, simply soak the gauze in vodka and apply it as a compress overnight.
- To relieve swelling, it is recommended to drink blueberry and cranberry fruit juices, decoctions of bay leaves and lingonberry leaves, as well as pharmaceutical diuretics.
The following recipes are the safest (including during pregnancy):
- footbaths and hands with birch leaves or pine needles;
- honey and salt compresses;
- application of internal fat in the form of an ointment to the leg joints;
- lotions made from pine buds with sugar.
Prevention of joint diseases
With age, the risk of joint pain increases, which is why it is recommended to start prevention early.
To prevent joint diseases it is recommended:
- lift weights correctly, avoiding unnecessary stress on the joints;
- avoid unhealthy weight gain;
- eat a diet that is as balanced as possible, providing the body with a sufficient amount of calcium, magnesium, collagen and fatty acids;
- do not neglect physical activity, as a strong muscular corset significantly reduces the load on the joints;
- maintain correct posture;
- reduce the amount of sugar consumed;
- if possible, get rid of bad habits (smoking and drinking alcohol);
- take the time to properly organize the workplace, where you will not have to strain your back and neck, throw your head back or lean forward;
- take timely breaks during professional activities, if they involve prolonged static positioning, and warm up.
The common myth that only the elderly can injure their joints causes many people to ignore the first symptoms of serious illnesses, turning to a specialist only as a last resort.In fact, many of the diseases can affect very young people.
Even arthritis, for many years considered an age-related problem, is increasingly affecting men and women under the age of thirty.
What to do when the joints of the legs and arms hurt, in each situation only a doctor can tell you, who will quickly establish an accurate diagnosis and prescribe appropriate treatment.When painful sensations appear, it is not recommended to immediately resort to self-medication and traditional methods, as these are serious degenerative processes, which are often irreversible and lead to complications.