Joint pain: why joints hurt, what to do and how to get rid of

Traumatologist-orthopedist, Ph.D., head physician of the clinic Yuri Glazkov told who is suffering from pain in the joints and how to prevent their occurrence.

Subtleties of diagnosis

After 40-45 years, bones become more fragile, cartilage less elastic. The articular surface wears out and arthrosis develops. Basically, the joints of the lower extremities suffer from it – the knee and hip, less often the ankle. Pain in the phalanges, hands, simultaneously in both knees or shoulders may indicate systemic diseases – rheumatoid arthritis, lupus erythematosus. Gout is common in men and begins with cramps and inflammation in the big toe and then affects other joints. Excessive physical exertion, which leads to dislocations, ruptures of menisci and tendons, and bruises, also pose a danger.

An orthopedist himself

At home, pain can be overcome with the help of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory ointments. Apply them two to three times a day and, if the disease has not gone too far, you will feel better the next day. Remember: no remedy can restore cartilage. Be careful with heating and cooling compresses. High temperatures are contraindicated in case of joint damage.

The lot of doctors

Do you use the ointment for several days, but the pain persists? Get diagnosed. Ultrasound is the least informative – ask for a referral for an X-ray or MRI. Tomography is prescribed at a younger age, it allows you to see the condition of both cartilage and ligaments, menisci. The X-ray is more indicative if the disease has already started. Depending on the diagnosis, treatment will be prescribed, in the initial stages, as a rule, conservative. Patients are recommended exercise therapy, physiotherapy, massage and reflexology, pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs. Arthrotherapy is often used – intra-articular injections of hyaluronic acid and platelet-rich plasma are made. In severe forms of arthrosis, it may be necessary to replace the joint with an artificial prosthesis.

Women are more prone to arthrosis than men. Athletes are also at risk

Don’t forget about sports

To prevent joint pain, strengthen the muscles around them. This will reduce the stress on the cartilage. Opt for swimming and stretching. Do isometric gymnastics – during its execution, the muscles are tense, but there is no movement in the joints. Do any exercise while sitting or lying down. If you do them while standing, you can hurt yourself. Give up squats, especially with weight. It is best to ask your doctor or trainer for a safe training program.

Proper nutrition

Each extra kilogram is an additional load on the musculoskeletal system. Eat right, add foods rich in vitamins C, B12, manganese and fatty acids to your diet – they strengthen ligaments and joints. Vitamin E prevents enzymes from breaking down cartilage.

Vitamin E – spinach, broccoli, peanuts, mango, kiwi, carrots, lettuce, parsley, celery, sea buckthorn, vegetable oil, hazelnuts, pumpkin seeds, rose hips, beets, garlic.

Vitamin C – tomato, cabbage, green peas, bell peppers, lettuce, parsley, sorrel, spinach, lemon, tangerine, lime, orange, black currant, gooseberry, rose hips, kiwi.

Vitamin V12 – seafood, egg yolk, Dutch cheese, cheddar, milk.

Omega-3 fatty acids – nuts (except almonds), salmon, tuna, trout, herring, spinach, cabbage, greens, soy milk, tofu, seaweed, beans, lentils.

Manganese – nuts, spinach, beets, pasta, liver, lettuce, apricots, cabbage, rhubarb, radish, olives, carrots, cucumbers, mushrooms, potatoes, asparagus.

If you want to buy drugs containing the necessary substances, consult a physician: an overdose can lead to unpleasant consequences.