Joint pain is not only a problem for the older generation. Young people often face this situation. In some cases, painkillers can prevent unpleasant symptoms, in other cases, medications are needed, and in the most difficult cases, the help of a surgeon is needed.
Causes of joint pain
The cause of joint pain can be mechanical or infectious. After the injury, no one will be surprised by the pain when moving. But when pain occurs for no obvious reason, the patient does not know how to take action to get rid of the problem.
However, bacterial infections can cause pain. When pathogens enter the synovial fluid, they invade nearby soft tissues. Infection can enter the joints in many ways:
- As a result of the prosthesis, it is sterilized due to the inferior quality of the material.
- Due to deep tissue damage in skin infections;
- After any surgical intervention that violates antiseptic treatment rules.
In addition to bacteria, joints are also threatened by fungi. Due to infection during the operation, these microorganisms also enter the synovial fluid.
Few people associate stomach or bladder damage with knee or elbow pain. Nevertheless, there is still a connection. When the gastrointestinal tract is infected by bacteria, toxins and microbial colonies enter the bloodstream and travel through the body with the bloodstream. Some of them are deposited in the joint cavity. The common risks are:
- Gastrointestinal diseases;
- Urinary system disorders;
- Venereal disease
- rubella;
- Angina pectoris;
- Infectious monocytes;
- pneumonia.
This shows that improper treatment of infectious diseases can lead to more serious consequences than people think. For example, a sore throat diagnosed at a late stage or the patient's refusal to use prescribed antibiotics can cause disability. This is because the streptococcus that causes angina pectoris is recognized by the immune system just like cells from heart valves and tissues in the joints. If antibiotics are not used as the main treatment, the immune system itself will destroy the joint tissues and fight the infection.
Viral infection can also affect the joints. These are diseases, such as:
- rubella;
- Hepatitis C;
- Hepatitis B;
- Herpes.
Humans have not yet invented a proven effective antiviral drug. The only exception is the drug acyclovir, which is effective against the herpes virus. Other diseases caused by viruses can only be overcome by human immunity. To protect yourself from infections that can destroy joint tissue, you can boost your immunity by vaccinating. Vaccinations against rubella and hepatitis are included in the mandatory calendar.
How to relieve pain
As a symptomatic treatment for joint pain, orthopedic surgeons use non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
If there is unbearable pain, you need to see a specialist to stop it. This is a procedure that allows you to introduce anesthesia to the joint itself and the proximal area of the nerve endings. But the solution to this problem is temporary. After 10-16 hours, the patient's condition will return to its original state.
What does the crunch of the joints indicate?
Joint occlusion can be caused by a variety of reasons. On the one hand, tightening indicates that the intra-articular matrix is depleted due to the destruction of the water-salt balance. On the other hand, when the joint is bent or extended to the extreme position, the one-time crunch that can be heard is the sound of bubbles in the joint fluid bursting.
If there is constant creaking during exercise, you need to reduce the load on the exercise part. It is best to eliminate the cause through the orthopedic traumatologist’s office. Taking the advertised drugs on your own is not only useless, it can be harmful. X-rays will show the condition of the cartilage between the bones and joints. If it turns out that he is exhausted, he will give individual recommendations. If you independently block the pain with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs as the cartilage develops, you can only reduce the sensitivity of the joints while continuing to use it. Over time, thin cartilage becomes the cause of inflammation of the tissues in the joints, which can lead to joint disease.
Arthritis or joint disease
For people who have not received medical education or have experienced bone and joint problems in person, the two concepts of arthritis and joint disease seem to be exactly the same. The similarity of the names is explained by the fact that all joint-related diseases have a root "art". The suffix "it" indicates the inflammatory process. This can be seen from other aspects: rhinitis-inflammation of the sinuses, bronchitis-inflammation of the bronchi; otitis media-inflammation of the ears. At the same time, the term does not mention the cause of inflammation, which means it cannot be a diagnosis. For example, bronchitis can be viral or bacterial. This means that the treatment strategies in the two cases are completely different. Arthritis is inflammation of the joints, but the cause is not stated.
Arthropathy is a disease in which the cartilage between the joints is affected. Long-term unchecked arthritis will sooner or later lead to joint disease. The inflammatory process in the joints disrupts metabolism, so the tissues cannot get proper nutrition and become thinner. Therefore, destruction of cartilage tissue occurs.
Prevent joint disease
Proper nutrition can ensure the health of all body systems. Sufficient protein, calcium, iron and vitamins can provide everything needed for cartilage tissue, ligaments, synovial fluid and bones.
In addition, an active lifestyle will keep the muscles in good condition, thereby providing extra support for the entire bones, especially the joints. To protect yourself from dangerous viral infections that affect your joints, you need to be vaccinated in time.