Painful sensations in the joint area are a common reason for a visit to the doctor.What to do if you have joint pain in your hands and feet depends on the underlying cause of the problem.
Various causes of joint pain
The most common causes of joint pain are related to the following conditions:
- arthritis (infectious and rheumatic);
- gout;
- osteoarthritis;
- psoriasis (psoriatic arthritis);
- osteomyelitis;
- osteophytes;
- bursitis;
- flat feet;
- injury.
Pain can also be caused by neurological diseases and vascular disorders.
Arthritis
Arthritis is a common disease that often results in disability.If earlier such a diagnosis was made mostly only to people over 30 years old, today quite a few young people are also faced with it.
The most characteristic symptoms of arthritis include severe pain in the joint area, which initially appears only at night, then becomes constant.If arthritis affects the joints of the feet, walking becomes uncomfortable and the gait changes.The skin becomes red, the muscles begin to break down and the body temperature may rise slightly.
After sleep, a feeling of stiffness appears and the peak of pain occurs.
There are two forms of this disease:
- Rheumatoid arthritis.It can occur as a result of age changes, severe hypothermia, injuries, as well as under the influence of hereditary factors.
- Infectious arthritis.It develops against the background of various 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 radiography.
The following methods of treatment for this disease are distinguished:
- antibiotics.It is prescribed in the identification of infectious tissue lesions and supports joint recovery.
- Ointments and gelsto relieve swelling, relieve pain and reduce redness.
- Nutritional 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 treatment.
- 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.
gout
Most often, gout 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 of the hands and feet 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 the general condition.
- Increased temperature in the area of the affected joint.
- Swelling of varying degrees of severity.
- The appearance of tophi - "nodules" under the skin, which consist of urate.
The following factors can influence the onset 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 are examined, sometimes it is necessary to take a sample of synovial fluid.
The main measure of treatment is the observance of a strict diet, which includes the refusal of fatty fish and meat, offal, broths, preserves, sausages, salt and spices.The consumption of coffee, tea and cocoa is limited to the maximum, and alcoholic beverages are completely excluded.Without following the diet prescribed by the doctor, full recovery is impossible.
Drug therapy is selected individually, depending on the characteristics of the disease and the patient's condition.The drugs used reduce the production of uric acid salts, accelerate the process of its elimination, have an anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect.Compresses, lotions and wraps are also used.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is a serious disease that causes inflammation and swelling.As it progresses, it leads to serious mobility impairment and irreversible degradation of the joint.The first signs of the disease are numbness in the fingers and an unusual, strong feeling of fatigue.
In the early stages, it is difficult to recognize the pain in the small joints, so the most common complaint from patients is discomfort at the base of the fingers.If you try to bend them, the pain becomes even worse.In most cases, arthrosis affects several joints at the same time.The problem can be diagnosed using X-rays.
The following factors can affect the development of the disease:
- changes in hormonal levels leading to fluid retention in the body;
- atherosclerosis of the limbs;
- gout and other diseases associated with metabolic disorders;
- diabetes mellitus;
- influence of streptococci and staphylococci;
- caries.
Arthrosis of the joints of the toes can develop against the background of improper positioning of the feet, wearing bad shoes, excess weight, low mobility and other aggravating factors.
The joints of the hands and feet hurt;only a specialist can answer what to do with arthrosis.
But today it is almost impossible to cure this disease using conservative methods.Performing 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.
The methods of modern and classical manual therapy will help in this situation.Visible results can be achieved in just a few sessions, but achieving long-term remission is possible only in those stages of the disease, when the destructive processes have not yet affected the bone.
Psoriasis
Psoriasis of the joints, or psoriatic arthritis, sometimes affects people who have psoriasis, a complex skin disease.It leads to pain and stiffness in the affected joints which are chronic.
Psoriatic arthritis can start suddenly or develop gradually, so it's important to tell your doctor right away if symptoms develop.It is currently unknown why psoriasis occurs, but doctors suggest that hereditary factors and negative environmental influences can influence its development.
There is no specific treatment for this disease, so in most cases therapy is aimed at reducing 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 turns out to be a complication of other diseases.
The disease affects a person with general weakness of the body, joint pain and muscle pain.
Then there is a rapid increase in body temperature, the pain is clearly localized in the affected area, increasing with each movement.After that, the purulent process begins to spread very quickly to the surrounding tissues and sepsis can 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 carried out with antibiotics, which are selected according to the bacteria found.Surgical treatment is widely used.
Osteophytes
Osteophytes are growths that develop when the supply of nutrients to the articular cartilage is disrupted.
Their presence can be determined by the following signs:
- crunching in the joints;
- discomfort in the joints when the weather changes;
- difficulty straightening the legs or arms after a night's sleep;
- painful sensations.
Depending on the stage, the treatment can be both conservative and surgical.Drug therapy includes the prescription of NSAIDs, chondroprotectors, as well as agents that stimulate improved tissue nutrition.
An intra-articular injection of hyaluronic acid is often used.Physiotherapy procedures and massage sessions have a positive effect.
bursitis
Bursitis is an inflammatory process of the mucous bursae located near the joints.It is most commonly found in the shoulder joints, but also occurs in the knee, hip, and elbow joints.The cause of the disease can be infections, injuries, mechanical damage, but it often appears for no apparent reason.
The joints of the hands and feet hurt, what to do with bursitis:
- rest mode is provided;
- antibiotics or corticosteroids are prescribed;
- compresses are made;
- pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs are used.
In some cases, surgery is necessary.
Flat feet
Flat feet can lead to pain in the joints of the feet.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 as follows:
- difficult balancing on heels;
- shoes are worn on one side only;
- when walking and standing, the legs get tired quickly;
- by the end of the day the legs swell and become heavy;
- leg cramps;
- back pain occurs;
- old shoes are getting too 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 early stages, physical education, therapeutic massage and physiotherapy are carried out.If the problem is severe, special shoes are prescribed that model the correct arch of the foot.
Trauma
Joint injuries include ligament damage, dislocations, contusions and intra-articular fractures.A number of tests are used to clarify the diagnosis, including CT, radiography, MRI and ultrasound.The main symptoms are pain, swelling and limitations in movement.
The joints of the hands and feet hurt, what to do in case of injury:
- contact a specialist to determine the nature of the injury;
- provide the damaged joint with adequate rest;
- use a cooling compress.
Diet for joint diseases
Poor nutrition can not only worsen 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:
- limiting the consumption of fast carbohydrates;
- reducing the amount of salt in food;
- give up spicy foods, smoked meat and canned goods;
- give preference to baking and stewing, avoiding fried foods.
Joint pain during pregnancy
What to do when the joints of the hands and feet hurt during pregnancy, only a specialist can answer.The fact is that we can talk about either one of the pathological conditions or 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, which inevitably increases the load on the legs.
The joints cannot always quickly adapt to this.The third trimester of pregnancy is characterized by swelling, which most often affects the legs and arms.In turn, this causes pain and a feeling of stiffness.During the first trimester, it is recommended to spend more time resting so that the body can more easily adapt to the changes.
After consulting a doctor and in the absence of contraindications, special gymnastics or yoga for pregnant women will be very useful.A proper diet and adequate fluid intake will help you deal with joint discomfort.
To alleviate the condition, it is recommended to follow the following tips:
- eat foods rich in vitamin D and calcium;
- wear comfortable, high-quality shoes without heels;
- controls weight gain and prevents sudden changes;
- spend more time outdoors;
- take special complexes for pregnant women (after consultation with a specialist);
- give up monotonous physical work;
- do yoga, gymnastics or swimming (in the absence of contraindications);
- maintains a stable psycho-emotional state;
- Self-massage your hands and knees with light rubbing and patting movements.
During pregnancy, it is very important to promptly pay attention to any pain, including in the joint area.Carrying a child can negatively affect the course of any pathological process, worsening it and accelerating the development of the disease.
Home remedies
The use of folk remedies is one of the good ways to speed up the process of treating joint diseases, relieve symptoms and alleviate the patient's condition.
Of all home treatment methods, the most popular are the following:
- warming compresses based on paraffin, salt, clay or potatoes;
- lotions and rubs with alcohol tinctures;
- baths, lotions and compresses from herbal decoctions;
- compresses with honey.
Depending on your goals, you can resort to the following procedures:
- To get rid of the pain, the most useful remedies are those based on honey, alcohol, turpentine and bee products.Even a single use of a compress significantly relieves the condition if the pain is moderate.
- Potato compresses are widely used to warm the joints.Warm mashed potatoes are applied to the joint area, covered with a film and wrapped in a scarf.The compress is kept until the potatoes have completely cooled.
- Alcohol-based products have good anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties.To prepare the simplest of them, just soak gauze in vodka and apply it as a compress overnight.
- To relieve swelling, it is recommended to drink fruit drinks from blueberries and cranberries, decoctions from bay leaves and blueberry leaves, as well as pharmaceutical diuretics.
The following recipes are the safest (including during pregnancy):
- foot and hand baths with birch leaves or pine needles;
- honey and salt compresses;
- application of internal fat in the form of ointment on the joints of the legs;
- pine bud lotions with sugar.
Prevention of joint diseases
As we age, the risk of joint pain increases, so it is recommended that prevention be started at an early age.
To prevent joint diseases, it is recommended:
- lift weights correctly, avoiding unnecessary stress on the joints;
- avoid unhealthy weight gain;
- eat as balanced a diet as possible, providing the body with a sufficient amount of calcium, magnesium, collagen, fatty acids;
- do not neglect physical activity, as a strong muscle corset significantly reduces the load on the joints;
- maintain proper posture;
- reducing 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 a long static position and do a warm-up.
The widespread myth that only the elderly can injure the joints leads to the fact that many people ignore the first symptoms of serious diseases and turn to a specialist only as a last resort.In fact, many of the diseases can affect very young people.
Even arthritis, which for many years was considered an age-related problem, is increasingly affecting men and women under thirty.
What to do when the joints of the legs and hands hurt, in any situation, only a doctor can tell you, who will quickly establish an accurate diagnosis and prescribe adequate treatment.When painful sensations appear, it is not recommended to immediately resort to self-treatment and traditional methods, since we are talking about serious degenerative processes that are often irreversible and lead to complications.