Joint pain can occur in any of the joints that make up the skeleton. It is a symptom that has a very variable location, intensity and duration, and can appear associated with other signs or alone. Here we will explain its characteristics, to help you to know it better.
What can joint pain look like?
When this discomfort occurs only in one joint, it is given the medical name of monoarticular arthralgia. If it occurs in two, three or four different joints, it is called oligoarthralgia, and if it occurs in more than one, it is called polyarthralgia.
What are its particularities?
The manner of presentation of the pain is very important and helps to determine the diagnosis. The intensity, distribution, duration and its relation to rest or activity is essential information for the physician. These are its most important features:
- It can be mild, moderate or accentuated according to its intensity.
- Duration: it is acute if it lasts days or weeks, and chronic if it extends over several months or longer.
- Relation to rest: it can improve, if it is a mechanical ailment, such as osteoarthritis or osteoarthritis, or worsen, if we are talking about arthritis, which is an inflammatory disease.
- Joint stiffness: if it lasts more than 45 minutes, it may be an inflammatory process. If it disappears in half an hour, it indicates osteoarthritis.
- Presence of symptoms of inflammation.
- Limitation of range of motion and its degree.
- Hypersensitivity when pressure is exerted.
- Crepitations that appear with movement.
- Presence or absence of associated symptoms.
What are the associated symptoms?
Certain discomforts accompanying the pain also constitute relevant data. Taken together, they suggest the origin, but also the extent of damage to the affected joint. For example, in arthritis there are signs of inflammation, which are swelling, local heat and redness.
In some cases extra-articular symptoms, i.e. not directly related to the joints, occur. These symptoms include skin lesions, ocular alterations, fever, loss of appetite, involuntary weight loss, dry mouth or chronic fatigue.
These are signs that generally indicate that the cause is an autoimmune disease, such as lupus. In disorders of neuropathic origin, due to an alteration of the innervation, pain is accompanied by numbness, tingling and muscle atrophy in the area.
How is the assessment of joint pain performed?
It is believed that more than half of musculoskeletal diseases result in incapacity for work. Moreover, they account for a significant number of adult consultations, estimated at 33%, in addition to treatments and hospitalizations.
When you go to the doctor’s office for joint pain, the doctor will review your history and perform a physical examination. He or she will also ask you a series of questions:
- Which joints are sore?
- When did it start?
- How intense is it? Does it allow you to do your daily activities or sleep well?
- What triggers it?
- What do you do to ease the pain?
- When does the pain stop?
With these answers plus the evaluation data, it is possible to approach a diagnosis. Blood tests and imaging studies, such as X-rays or an MRI, are usually requested. They are intended to confirm the presumptive diagnosis.
General care
There are many factors that contribute to keeping joint pain away or not aggravating it. Practicing some form of light aerobic exercise, such as walking or swimming, is helpful in maintaining flexibility, muscle tone and strength. Technical aids facilitate mobility and are essential to reduce the risk of a fall.
Among many examples, insoles serve to cushion the footprint, reducing the impact of walking, and also correct some deviations. Splints provide support and protect the joints, very important aspects when you are in a recovery process or the pain is very acute.
A topic of great relevance is postural hygiene. It is the set of recommendations useful to maintain a correct alignment of the joints. When the posture is adequate, it does not cause pain, while it contributes to balance and to a better distribution of loads. This happens in both static and dynamic situations.
Diet is essential to have the right weight, especially in the case of osteoarthritis. On the other hand, increase the consumption of foods with omega-3 fatty acids, which help control inflammation. Also, add more fruits and vegetables to your menus, because vitamin C has a protective effect on cartilage thanks to its antioxidant action.
As you have seen, joint pain is a complex ailment that must be carefully evaluated, along with any associated symptoms. Leading a healthy lifestyle, with a healthy diet and frequent exercise, helps to alleviate it. Count on Phytogen Medical Foods food supplements, which you will find when you enter our website!
