If the joints are swollen, this may indicate the occurrence of various pathologies. In a person, movements are much more difficult and painful sensations appear. Swelling occurs as a result of accumulated fluid in adjacent tissues.
In the presence of violations, the damaged area swells, deforms and grows in size. In the presence of such symptoms, you must urgently consult a doctor who will help determine the cause of the swelling and select the required treatment.
What is swelling
Joints are movable structures that connect bones to each other. Soft tissues surround and support them. If the joints are swollen, this means that fluid has accumulated in these tissues. The affected area increases in size, and deformation also appears.
Joint swelling is a kind of body reaction to the inflammatory process or damage to this area. The area of the lesion and the presence of concomitant symptoms largely depend on the causes of the disease.
The swelling may be minor and not cause any discomfort and pain, but may cover the entire area of the joint tissue, which complicates the mobility of the affected area. Often, swelling appears in the ankle and knee joints.
Main reasons
If the joints of the fingers on the arms and legs are swollen and sore , then the reasons for this can be very different. Discomfort occurs as a result of the influence of a number of different factors, in particular, such as:
- various mechanical injuries;
- response to an allergen;
- joint infection;
- genetic predisposition;
- excessive physical activity;
- disturbances in the functioning of the endocrine system;
- disorders of the nervous system.
In addition, various autoimmune pathologies, in particular, such as lupus erythematosus, can be the reason that joints are swollen.
Provocative diseases
If the joints are swollen, then this may be a sign of a developing pathology of the musculoskeletal system. The most common causes are diseases such as:
- osteoarthrosis;
- arthritis;
- gout;
- rheumatism;
- synovitis;
- bursitis.
Osteoarthrosis occurs against the background of age-related changes in the body. As a result of this, cartilage tissue is destroyed. In this case, the bones begin to rub, which provokes the appearance of swelling. Other signs include:
- feeling of friction;
- soreness;
- frequent crunch.
With rheumatoid arthritis, the body perceives its own cells as foreign and gradually begins to kill them. The fluid gradually builds up, so the joints hurt and swell. Treatment of this disease should begin with the elimination of the provoking factor and inflammation. Among other symptoms, it is necessary to highlight the presence of stiffness of movements, intense pain, redness of the joints.
Swelling can also occur with gout. This disease is triggered by the accumulation of uric acid in the joints. With septic arthritis, swelling occurs as a result of an infection. A fluid with blood impurities is collected in the joint. The patient is usually worried about very severe pain.
The main symptoms
If the joint of the thumb on the foot or arm is swollen, it is necessary to determine the cause of this violation. This mainly occurs in the case of various diseases or injuries. For each joint disease, a combination of some manifestations is characteristic, but there is also a general symptomatology, which is expressed in:
- the presence of soreness;
- stiffness of movements;
- crunch felt in the joint bag;
- swelling.
The main symptom manifested in diseases of the joints is the presence of pain. Their localization is important in the diagnosis, as it can be located far from the patient articulation.
Inflammation is characterized by the occurrence of severe soreness at the very beginning of the movement, and then it gradually decreases. With the occurrence of arthritis, the pain subsides only after the body or the affected limb takes a forced position, and oncology is characterized by bone pain.
In addition, a concomitant sign may be the presence of fever, skin rashes, swelling. In the presence of such symptoms, it is necessary to visit a doctor for diagnosis and subsequent treatment.
Diagnostics
If the joint on the finger is swollen, what should I do? This can only be determined by a qualified doctor after conducting a comprehensive diagnosis. Indication for a mandatory visit to a doctor - swelling, sore joints, fever for no apparent reason.
If the joint tumor appeared after the injury, then you should also visit the hospital. The specialist will examine the history and prescribe a comprehensive diagnostic study to accurately determine the cause of the disease. When initially contacting the doctor, he clarifies:
- time of onset of swelling;
- whether this has been observed before;
- when signs appear most intensely;
- whether there was a rash or fever.
For diagnostic purposes, a blood test, an x-ray of the affected joint, and the study of accumulated fluid are also shown.
Treatment features
What to do - swollen joint on the finger or toe and hurts? This question is of concern to many, since it is very important to quickly eliminate inflammation, swelling and discomfort. Before you go to the doctor, you need to ensure complete rest and apply dry heat, that is, put on a warm, dry cloth. It is best if it is natural wool.
To relieve pain and eliminate inflammation, you need to take anti-inflammatory drugs, in particular, such as Ibuprofen, Diclofenac, Meloxicam, Ortofen. After this, you must visit a doctor, undergo the prescribed examination and the required treatment.
If the cause of the pain is rheumatoid arthritis, which is characterized by a gradual increase in pain in the joints, an increase in joints, then therapy should be aimed at eliminating inflammation in the connective tissues. For this, analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs are used.
Rheumatism is characterized by the same symptoms as rheumatoid arthritis. Symptoms may occur seasonally, suddenly appearing and disappearing. Treatment should be carried out immediately so as not to provoke damage to the internal organs. For this, anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids, analgesics are used.
Arthrosis is characterized by deformation and destruction of the cartilage tissue of the joint, which can lead to simply irreversible consequences. Treatment of swollen joints of the hands is focused on restoring the nutrition of cartilage, normalizing metabolic processes, anesthetizing and eliminating inflammation. If arthrosis has a third stage, then drug treatment will not bring the desired result, only prosthetics of the joint can help.
Injuries, sprains and bruises should be treated immediately after they are received. With bruises, cold is usually applied to the bruised area, and a sterile dressing is also applied. Joint treatment and complete rest of the damaged area are required to treat the sprain. Widely used ointments with analgesic and cooling effect.
Drug treatment
If the joints on the legs are swollen, what should I do? This can only be determined by a qualified doctor after a comprehensive examination. Any disease begins to be treated with the use of medications. Modern medicines are highly effective and well tolerated. Basically, patients are prescribed drugs such as:
- anti-inflammatory drugs ("Dicloberl", "Larfix");
- antibacterial agents (Cefaxone, Augmentin);
- chondroprotectors ("Don", "Teraflex");
- detoxification drugs ("Hemodez", "Reopoliglyukin");
- calcium preparations.
With rheumatoid arthritis, additional administration of cytostatics or glucocorticoids may be required. With an increased content of uric acid, anti-gout drugs are prescribed. If the joints of the fingers swell, treatment should be prescribed only by a doctor, since self-medication threatens with dangerous consequences.
Physiotherapeutic Techniques
If the joint of the big toe is swollen and sore, physiotherapeutic procedures should be performed. They help normalize the condition of tissues, increase blood circulation and improve the recovery process. In combination with medications, you need to apply:
- laser therapy;
- electrophoresis;
- magnetotherapy;
- wave treatment;
- paraffin therapy;
- balneotherapy.
It is worth remembering that with an acute course of the inflammatory process, especially in the presence of pus, many physiotherapy procedures are contraindicated.
Physiotherapy
If the joints of the hands swell, then conservative therapy can not do without physiotherapy exercises. It is indicated in the complex of rehabilitation measures after injuries and joint operations.
Apply special exercises designed to develop the hand and fingers. They are performed during the period of remission, when there are no acute manifestations of the disease. At the same time, the intensity of gymnastics builds up gradually, and classes should be combined with massage.
Massage
If there is a deforming edema of the ankle joint, a massage is prescribed. An experienced masseur performs kneading and rubbing. This allows you to improve metabolism in the tissues. Then the masseur performs rubbing and stroking adjacent muscles. This eliminates the mechanical irritation of the joint capsule.
As a result of this, there is a decrease in pain, an increase in the tone of weak muscles. If the edema is insignificant and the inflammatory process is not observed, then self-massage can be performed. You need to massage the affected area daily with a hard towel or brush with medium hard bristles. Massage should be continued until the skin turns red.
Operation
Some diseases have to be treated only surgically. The operation is indicated in the presence of severe injuries or panaritiums. Depending on the available evidence, purulent contents are eliminated, bleeding is stopped, and then damaged tissue is sutured. In fractures, the use of elements of osteosynthesis and postoperative immobilization may be required.
If the finger on the hand swells or the joints of the hand are disturbed, then initially it is necessary to determine for what reason the violation occurs and unpleasant symptoms occur. This will require a consultation with a doctor who will tell you what to do when a similar pathology occurs.
Folk techniques
If the joints are swollen, then folk methods help well, but they need to be used in combination with drug therapy and only after consulting a doctor. The most common way to combat joint diseases is bay leaf. To do this, you need to take a daily decoction or infusion of this plant.
A positive result is the treatment with gelatin. To prepare a therapeutic agent, you need to take gelatin and a wide cotton cloth dipped in hot water. Each layer must be sprinkled with gelatin and wrap the diseased joint with tissue. Keep up all night.
With joint inflammation, cabbage, burdock and coltsfoot help well. They need to wrap the affected area all night. With salt deposition, honey-salt compresses fight well. To do this, mix salt and honey in equal proportions, apply the mixture to a clean cloth, fix with cellophane on top and warm. The compress must be kept all night.
Prophylaxis
As prevention, you need to carefully monitor your diet, which is also included in the treatment course. It is important to get rid of excess weight and bad habits. Every day you need to take walks in the fresh air, as this helps to saturate the tissues with oxygen.
To improve the blood supply to the joints, you need to regularly do therapeutic baths with medicinal plants and massage your hands. A few minutes a day should be given to conducting special medical and preventive gymnastics.