If the joint is swollen, what should I do? This is a common question. We will examine it in more detail in this article.
Swelling and restriction of motor functions in the joints of the hands, hands, fingers or feet, pain syndrome - a frequent complaint with which patients come to see specialists. What to do with swollen joints, what pathological processes cause this symptom and how to treat them?
First of all, it is necessary to find out the main reason that provokes pathological changes. Ignoring this problem can lead to very serious consequences that are associated with irreversible destruction of articular and cartilage tissue.
First, consider the causes of an ailment in the joints of the hands.
Swollen joints on the arms
The anatomy of the hands is a complex structure consisting of many small bones, nerve endings, joints and muscle tissue. Together, this system works as a single mechanism that responds to signals that come from the brain. No wonder the development of the child is directly related to the motor skills of the hands, which allows you to learn new movements and learn the skills necessary in life.
The hands are affected by high loads, which are based on the implementation of work processes, and therefore the flexibility of the fingers, coordination of movements and accuracy are of great importance.
The two main groups of causes of the disease
The reasons that swollen hands and sore joints can be divided into two main groups:
- factors that are not related to the disease;
- joint pathologies and diseases of the musculoskeletal system of various genesis.
Causes that are not associated with concomitant pathologies are determined by the type of professional activity, the nature of the diet, lifestyle or traumatic factors. Among the diseases that make the joints of the hands ache and swell, the most common are pathologies that cause damage to the connective tissue or inflammatory and degenerative processes that deform and destroy joints.
Which specialist should I contact if I have problems with my joints?
It depends on the cause of such pathological changes. In case of problems caused by traumatic factors, the trauma doctor is involved in the therapy. If the symptoms are caused by a disease of the musculoskeletal system or nervous system, you should seek the help of a rheumatologist, orthopedist, neurologist.
Swelling of the joints of the legs
Inflammation of the joints of the legs affects all the elements that form the tissues of the joint (tendons, ligaments, cartilage, etc.), as a result of which the joint loses its function, swells and collapses.
Depending on the location of the pathological process, the following types of diseases are distinguished, which are accompanied by the swelling of the joint on the leg:
- Inflammation of the knee joint is most often observed, since this joint is considered the most vulnerable due to the complex structure and stresses on it. Symptoms are rarely pronounced in the initial stages. Most often, this pathology can be observed in overweight women.
- Inflammation of the ankle joint - this joint is subject to heavy load: it has to maintain the weight of the whole body and constantly stay in motion. It is considered one of the most indispensable in the body, since with the slightest discomfort in this area the motor function of the leg is limited. It is very unpleasant when the joint on the leg is swollen.
- Inflammation of the joints of the foot is a pathology that occurs most often in people in old age. It causes significant inconvenience due to frequent inflammation and pain. It is not easy to deal with this disease, as it often takes on chronic forms.
- Inflammation of the joints of the toes - this pathology is most often observed due to hypothermia. The fingers swell, sharp pain appears, which prevents movement.
- When the joint is swollen and sore, this may indicate inflammation of the hip joint - a pathology that is constantly progressing. If you do not start her therapy on time, a rare pain syndrome will develop into a permanent one and will manifest itself even at night. Over time, it becomes impossible to move. This disease affects people with hip dislocation, dysplasia and other pathologies of this joint.
The causes of this pathology
Swollen joints are mainly observed in the inflammatory process. Its causes are:
- injuries
- infectious processes;
- hypothermia;
- genetic predisposition;
- hormonal changes;
- autoimmune disorders;
- excess weight;
- excessive loads;
- uncomfortable shoes.
Trigger factors
The main factors that can lead to swollen joints include:
- Professional activity. Swelling and joint pain provoke regular exercise. At risk are operators, office workers, cashiers who are forced to make the same type of movement for a long time. Sedentary work, prolonged stay in the same position provoke the development of osteochondrosis, poor posture, impaired nerve fibers, which negatively affects the condition of small joints and ligaments.
- Active sports activities. Professional athletes are familiar with pain, swelling of the joints, as well as people who actively attend gyms and perform exercises with a barbell or dumbbells. Incorrect loads contribute to the occurrence of negative processes in muscle tissue and joints and cause pain.
- Traumatic factors. Joint pain and swelling may be the result of previous injuries (sprains, fractures, and ligament ruptures). Excessive loads on the joint result in swelling, pain and limitation of their mobility.
- Age factors. As they age, the articular joints undergo degenerative and dystrophic disorders - the volume of synovial fluid decreases, the cartilage and articular tissues wear out, and the likelihood of developing arthrosis and arthritis increases.
Various joint diseases
The most common diseases in which joints hurt and swell:
- osteoarthrosis;
- rheumatoid arthritis;
- reactive arthritis;
- systemic lupus erythematosus.
Osteoarthrosis
With this pathological process, the formation of cartilage tissue in the joint is disrupted. Such changes can occur under the influence of some related factors (internal and external). Their list includes:
- hereditary predisposition;
- age factor;
- accompanying illnesses;
- deforming or excessive loads on the joints;
- consequences of injuries.
What does it mean if the joint is swollen on the finger? Osteoarthritis of the fingers most often affects people of certain professions, whose work is associated with high loads on the hands - programmers, musicians, cameramen. In this case, the joints of the phalanges of the fingers are affected, as the pathology develops, the collagen destruction process accelerates, as a result of which the formation of pathological cartilage tissue, which is unable to ensure the correct functioning of the limb, occurs.
Arthrosis of the joints of the legs and hips is most often observed in people who spend a lot of time on their legs or, on the contrary, lead a passive lifestyle. These are drivers, sellers, medical workers, teachers, etc.
Over time, the joint swells, deforms, and the process of its destruction begins, resistance to loads is lost. The progression of osteoarthritis leads to impaired mobility of the affected joint, severe swelling, pain, the occurrence of a characteristic crunch, the development of the inflammatory process and damage to nerve fibers in the periarticular tissue. The pain syndrome may worsen during physical work and subside at rest.
Another sign of osteoarthritis is the formation of bone outgrowths (Heberden nodules, Bouchard nodules ) on the surface of distal and interphalangeal joints. They rise above the surface of the skin, are characterized by immobility and dense structure. In the absence of therapy, osteoarthrosis actively progresses and gradually leads to disability.
Rheumatoid arthritis
This systemic disease has an autoimmune nature, in which its own immunity begins to destroy joints, blood vessels and muscles. Reliable reasons that cause the onset of rheumatoid arthritis have not been established to this day, however, it is known for sure that it is the cartilage and bone structures that undergo destruction. In this case, the symmetrical nature of the lesions is observed, that is, the joints on both legs or arms become inflamed immediately. The main signs are swelling, pain, swelling, impaired motor activity, which is usually expressed in the morning.
As the pathological process develops, inflammation spreads to the periarticular tissue, which leads to impaired articular function and the formation of fibrous dense formations. Subsequently, the joints are fixed in one position, are deformed, can be shifted to the side, they cannot be bent or bent.
Under the skin, rheumatoid nodules of solid consistency are formed. They are inactive and painless. All movements are accompanied by severe pain, and with an exacerbation of the pathological process, an increase in temperature to high levels is observed. Rheumatoid arthritis is very dangerous due to complications that affect the internal organs - the heart, digestive system, lungs and blood vessels suffer.
Reactive arthritis
This disease develops after an infection (urogenital, intestinal, etc.). An autoimmune inflammatory process develops in which cells of the immune system attack joint tissues. The causative agent of pathology is considered to be microbial agents that have caused the development of the primary disease. The damage to the joints in this case is most often asymmetric and covers the wrist and interphalangeal joints. At the same time, from 2 to 8 joints can suffer at the same time, which become swollen and painful, and the skin around them turns red.
Diagnosis of this pathology
To establish the cause of swelling of the joint, it is necessary to undergo a diagnosis, which includes instrumental and laboratory research methods:
- blood tests (general and biochemical), urinalysis;
- radiographic studies;
- CT scan of the affected joint.
Based on the results, the specialist will be able to make the correct diagnosis and prescribe treatment.
What to do when joints on the hands or others are swollen?
How is joint treatment done?
The method of treatment of such a pathological phenomenon is selected taking into account the type of disease, its severity, the general condition of the patient.
How to treat a swollen joint with traumatic injuries, is determined by a trauma doctor. With bruises and sprains, cold compresses, physiotherapeutic procedures, and pain medication are used to reduce the intensity of the pain syndrome. Fractures are treated by immobilizing the limb by applying a plaster cast. Dislocations are repaired under general or local anesthesia.
During treatment, special drugs of the NSAID class (Diclofenac, Ibuprofen), glucocorticoids (Dexamethasone, Prednisolone) and antirheumatic medications (Cyclophosphamide, Metatrexate) can be used.
The action of drugs is aimed at stopping painful symptoms during an exacerbation. During remission, physiotherapeutic procedures are carried out, and spa treatment is also recommended.
The specificity of therapy for this pathology
If the joint is swollen on the finger and this is caused by reactive arthritis, the treatment will be very specific. It involves the use of anti-inflammatory drugs, analgesic ointments and immunosuppressants that block immune responses. If necessary, the patient is prescribed antibiotics of the cephalosporin series.
In any case, if the joints swell, it is important to identify the cause first. And during and after therapy, the patient must be under medical supervision.