Human foot is an important element of the musculoskeletal system. It is designed to move and maintain the body in an upright position. This part of the leg has an enormous load of static and dynamic nature, which stable joints, developed soft tissues, strong muscles and ligaments help to withstand. Inflammation of the joints of the foot occurs as a result of injuries, infections, severe overload, wearing uncomfortable shoes. It provokes severe pain. Despite the unpleasant sensations, people are in no hurry to see a doctor, and the lack of timely treatment leads to serious problems even among young people.
General information
The foot, to perform the functions assigned to it, has a stable and solid structure. It consists of 26 bones, 33 joints and more than a hundred ligaments, muscles and tendons. Stop provides:
- balance and support when standing;
- absorption of impact energy during landing, and giving the body a vertical position at the time of repulsion from the support;
- protection of the musculoskeletal system from overloads and injuries.
The skeleton of the foot consists of:
- tarsus - it has two large bones: the talus and the heel;
- Metatarsus - contains five tubular bones;
- finger phalanges - tubular bones (the thumb consists of two, the rest of the three).
For functionality, all bones of the foot are connected by joints. Doctors of the East believe that the foot is an indicator of the human body. By its condition, you can determine all the ailments of a person. Unhealthy sensations in this area should not be ignored.
Causes of joint pain
Why does the foot joint hurt? There are many reasons for this. The most common are:
- Wearing uncomfortable and tight shoes - daily use of high-heeled shoes, squeezing the foot, leads to muscle strain and reduced blood flow.
- Overweight - constantly presses on the joints of the feet.
- Flat feet - a modification of the shape of the foot as a result of the omission of the transverse and longitudinal arch.
- Injuries: dislocation, fracture of the metatarsal bones, bruises, rupture and sprain.
- Increased physical activity.
All these factors contribute to an increased load on the metatarsophalangeal joints of the foot. In addition to them, painful sensations are affected by systemic disorders that occur in the body. These include:
- Infectious diseases - tissue and joint damage occurs with inflammation of the intestine, genitourinary and respiratory systems, syphilis, gonorrhea.
- Osteoporosis - leaching of calcium and phosphorus from bones.
- Arthritis - it affects people at any age and is a systemic disease.
- Arthrosis of the joints of the foot is an age-related disease.
- Gout - due to metabolic disturbances in the joints, uric acid is deposited.
- Diabetic foot is a complication of diabetes. As a result of metabolic disturbances, blood flow in small vessels worsens, and foot changes occur.
- Synovitis is an inflammation of the synovial membrane.
- Periostitis is an acute inflammation of the periosteum.
- Psoriatic polyarthritis - occurs after prolonged treatment of skin diseases, and in rare cases is ahead of them, and foot joints begin to ache before skin rashes.
- Varicose disease - is a consequence of congenital disorders of the structure of the venous wall, prolonged stay in a sitting or standing position, heart failure.
- Ligamentitis is an inflammation of the ligaments.
- Muscle pain - often similar to joint pain. Myositis can be caused by an infection or have a different origin.
Horse ointment for joints
With the appearance of severe pain in the joints of the legs, a person tries all the medicines that are at hand to get rid of it. Some, having tried this ointment, get a positive effect and recommend it to their friends. Many doctors are negative about the use of veterinary drugs to treat people, believing that they contain an increased concentration of substances that can cause irritation, allergies and skin burns. The manufacturer does not bear any responsibility for side effects, since the ointments are made for animals, and they must be used for their intended purpose. Other medical professionals tend to believe that Horsepower ointment has a therapeutic effect. Its chemical composition is similar to the corresponding drugs for humans. Horse ointment for animals is used to reduce their pain, which has developed as a result of an injury or disease of the legs. It is also used for preventive purposes during intense physical exertion. The ointment contains only natural ingredients. It includes:
- Vitamin E is an excellent antioxidant. It slows down the aging of cells, promotes the rapid healing of wounds, and prevents the formation of blood clots.
- Lavender oil - it gives elasticity to the skin and softens it.
- Peppermint essential oil - has a cooling effect, relieves muscle tension.
- Excipients: carbopol, propyl paraben, methyl paraben, soybean oil, glycerin, water.
In addition, the horsepower ointment produces a warming effect due to the extract of chestnut and pepper. People apply it on the skin with a thin layer and rub it in with massaging movements. The procedure is carried out twice a day. To enhance the effect of the drug, the affected joint is wrapped with a warm scarf. Maximum relief occurs after two weeks, improvement is noted after two applications.
The main signs of joint damage
With joint damage and the absence of appropriate therapy, the process begins to progress and captures periarticular tissues, and secondary infection is possible. Over time, deformation occurs and, for example, a bone may appear on the joint of the foot of the thumb. There are several specific symptoms of the disease:
- Joint pain - at first there is a slight discomfort, which is attributed to fatigue, then the soreness intensifies and begins to limit walking.
- The range of motion in the joint is reduced.
- There is redness of the skin in the affected area, and an increase in temperature.
- Swelling gradually spreads to the tissues surrounding the joint.
Features of symptoms in various diseases
Each specific disease of the joints of the foot has its own characteristics, consider some of them:
- Arthrosis More common in older people. It affects the joints of the toes of the foot, and in the absence of treatment leads to complete immobilization. Pain at an early stage occurs only after a lot of physical activity, a crunch of the metatarsophalangeal joints is noted, with the development of the disease it intensifies. There is dull aching pain, worse after exertion. It calms down in the morning and reappears in the evening. With the development of the disease, each attack of pain can last more than a day.
- Arthritis - affects not only the musculoskeletal system, but also vital internal organs. With this disease, the small joints of the foot are affected. They are characterized by swelling, soreness and redness of the skin over the affected area. Joint movements are limited, pain intensifies in the morning, by the evening it subsides, while the stiffness of movements decreases.
- Gout is a disease associated with the joint of the big toe. As a result of improper liver function, puric acid salts are deposited in the joint, which causes pain. The initial stage of the disease does not manifest itself. Over time, paroxysmal pains appear, which then become permanent. The joint of the thumb swells, swelling is observed, the body temperature rises to 39 degrees. The most severe pain occurs at night.
- Osteoporosis - insufficient calcium and phosphate in the bones of the foot. Painful sensations appear at rest and intensify with physical exertion.
- Foot injuries - severe pain, disturbances or inability to move, swelling, hemorrhage are observed.
- Rheumatism - pains are noted in the area of the lifting of the foot, there is redness over the inflamed area, temperature, severe pain can occur in different joints and pass quickly.
Diagnostic Methods
When a foot joint hurts, the patient should contact a local health care provider or surgeon at a healthcare facility. He will collect a medical history of the disease, conduct a thorough examination of the diseased joint and prescribe the following diagnostic procedures:
- General blood test - the erythrocyte sedimentation rate and leukocyte count will be determined to identify the inflammatory process. And also reveal the number of eosinophils, which will determine the allergy.
- Biochemical analysis - will show rheumatic factor and C-reactive protein.
- X-ray - will clarify the severity of the pathological process and help to eliminate joint injuries.
- Computed or magnetic resonance imaging will clarify the nuances of the disease.
- Puncture for the study of joint fluid.
- Ultrasound of the joint.
- If tuberculosis is suspected, special samples are taken for the study.
After receiving all the results of the examination, and if necessary, consulting with other specialists (infectious disease specialist, rheumatologist, hematologist, endocrinologist, TB specialist), the doctor will prescribe a course of therapy.
MRI of the joints of the foot
Particular attention in diagnosing the condition of the foot should be given to magnetic resonance imaging. It is a safe and painless procedure that is perfect for examining children and pregnant women. It is very important to note that the data obtained as a result of MRI for the study of the foot have high accuracy. In the pictures, the foot is visible in different planes. This helps to diagnose tumors by setting their sizes to the nearest millimeter, tears, sprains, subchondral cysts, foreign bodies located in the joint area. MRI can be performed as a control study during treatment, that is, much more often than computed tomography or x-ray.
The main indications for MRI of the joints are:
- fractures that are difficult to diagnose, dislocations, sprains, ruptures of ligaments and tendons;
- tumors of a benign and malignant nature;
- unexplained genesis of pain in the joint area, limited maneuverability, swelling;
- foreign bodies in the joint;
- ailments of the apparatus of ligaments;
- nerve clamping;
- joint capsule damage;
- arthrosis and arthritis.
Special training for MRI of the foot is not required. Only a part of the body is exposed to the magnetic field. This procedure is one of the diagnostic methods. Only with its help it is impossible to make a final diagnosis, but in some cases MRI cannot be dispensed with.
Drug therapy
To eliminate symptoms and treat joints of the foot, the doctor, depending on the cause of the pathology, will prescribe the following drugs:
- nonsteroids: Diclofenac, Indomethacin, Ibuprofen;
- antibiotics: cefazolin and penicillin series;
- hormones: Dexamethasone, Triamcinolone, Prednisolone, Hydrocortisone;
- drugs that help restore tissue structure: "Glucosamine", "Chondroitin";
- painkillers: Novocain, Ketorolac, Lidocaine;
- drugs that regulate the concentration of alkali and acid in the blood: "Rehydron", a solution of 4% sodium bicarbonate.
For some joint diseases, it is necessary to use antiviral drugs, hormones to correct the functioning of the pancreas and thyroid gland, and anti-tuberculosis drugs.
Physiotherapy
Joints hurt, how to treat? This will help the physiotherapy procedures, which are used in conjunction with drug treatment. The most commonly prescribed are:
- Magnetotherapy - the effect of a magnetic field on the tissues of the affected area improves microcirculation in them, reduces swelling, cartilage and periosteum are restored faster.
- Electrophoresis - this method allows you to deliver drugs to the subcutaneous layer, from where they gradually affect the affected area of the foot.
- UHF - ultra-high frequencies have a beneficial effect on the tissues of the lower extremities, improving their metabolism.
The beneficial effects of physiotherapy are undeniable, but these procedures are not suitable for everyone. Contraindications are diseases of the cardiovascular system, malignant tumors, mental disorders and a patient over 65 years old.
Effective remedies for the treatment of joints with pepper
With an integrated approach to joint treatment, ointments with pepper are used. They have an irritating and warming effect, expanding blood vessels. In the periarticular region, the flow of blood, oxygen and nutrients is enhanced. Normalization of metabolic processes occurs, the patient feels relief. The basis of the best ointments for joints is hot pepper, snake and bee venom, salicylic acid. It should be remembered that warming ointments can not be used for children under the age of five, with dermatitis and open wounds, and rubbing with salicylic acid is contraindicated for people with renal failure.
Ointments with capsaicin (an alkaloid that is found in different types of capsicum) have the following effect:
- dilate blood vessels;
- reduce inflammation;
- heal and regenerate tissue;
- relieve swelling;
- normalize tissue nutrition;
- have a bactericidal effect;
- have an antioxidant effect.
In addition to all of the above properties, peppers are affordable, considered the best ointments for joints and are in demand. Before using the product, you must consult your doctor.
Treatment and prevention of joint pain with arthritis with creams
Arthritis is an autoimmune disease that affects the small joints of the hands and feet. Excessive physical exertion, bacterial and viral infections, stressful situations provoke him. The patient experiences severe constant pain, there is a stiffness of movements, swelling. This leads to disorders of the nervous system and depression. If pain occurs, seek qualified help as soon as possible. In the early stages of the disease, Citralgin Cream can be used to treat joints. It is prescribed by patients of any age, and the drug has almost no contraindications. Cream "Citralgin" for arthritis:
- reduces the inflammatory process;
- reduces pain and swelling;
- normalizes movement;
- reduces stiffness of joints after night.
The use of analgesic ointments, gels and creams for the treatment of joints in conjunction with the therapy prescribed by the doctor will help to significantly alleviate the patient's condition.
Surgical intervention
The surgical method is used when conservative treatment does not produce results or is not effective, for example, when the ligaments are broken. With a late call to the doctor, an operation is also performed when removing the bumps on the first phalanx. As a result of its growth, the joints of other fingers are deformed, so the changed area is sawn off, and bone fragments are fixed with a metal structure in the correct position. After rehabilitation, a second operation is performed, during which the device is removed. This treatment technique is considered effective.
Joints hurt: how to treat?
With systematic pain, adequate treatment is necessary. The diagnosis can only be made by a doctor and only then prescribe the necessary therapy, but you can alleviate your condition at home. To do this, you need:
- Unloading and rest. Everyone should wear comfortable foot shoes. It is better for women to abandon the constant use of high-heeled shoes. You should not walk long distances and stand on your feet for a long time.
- Warm baths. They will relieve aching pain and fatigue after a hard day. All kinds of massage: manual using oil, walking on a special rug, sand, small stones - all this will ease the condition if the foot joint hurts.
- Calcium preparations and vitamins. Periodic intake of calcium and vitamin complexes will help fill the bone tissue with the necessary substances.
- Special shoes. Orthopedic shoes and special insoles are effective in combating pain in the feet.
It must be remembered that home remedies can only temporarily relieve joint pain, but not cure the disease. For severe and persistent pain, it is advisable to consult a doctor who, after a thorough examination, will make the correct diagnosis and prescribe a course of treatment for inflammation of the foot joint. It is very important to seek qualified help at an early stage of the disease.