In a healthy joint, the bones are embedded in the so-called the placenta bends in accordance with our will, which we consider to be natural, because thanks to that we bend the leg in the knee or arm in the elbow. However, when one day we can not move our hand or leg because pain inflicts us - we ask what happened to the comfortable, because previously unnoticeable mobility? Few tell us the doctor's statement that the cause of pain in our joints may be a mechanical injury or disease of joint tissues. We want to find out what really happened in the joint and how to "fix it", or how to get rid of the disease.
A healthy pond does not hurt ...
In a healthy joint, the highly concentrated arterial membrane secretes a special synovial fluid which, like oil, lubricates moving parts of the bone, eliminating painful friction. The friction elimination is also served by a perfectly smooth cartilage covering the ends of bones coming into contact in the joint. This cartilage is elastic, which greatly absorbs shocks caused by movement and prevents microdamages, which can also cause pain.
Injury causes joint pain
However, the joints would break up if it were not for strong rope-like tapes called ligaments that connect the bones in the joint. (Fig. 2). However, if such a ligament becomes torn, eg due to excessive hand load with a heavy or violent motion, incompatible with its mechanics, the joint reacts with swelling, fever and severe pain and stiffness.
It hurts because there is no synovial fluid to lubricate the placenta ... But why?
The cause of the "grease" deficit to the joints is primarily the so-called rheumatoid arthritis. It is an autoimmune disease in which leukocytes, ie white blood cells - destroying usually pathogenic bacteria, viruses, etc. - are destroyed due to reasons that are not fully explained. This time they are wrong and destroy their own joints. It is supposed (though not fully proven) that one of the perpetrators of the disease is the Epstein-Barr virus, whose antibodies are found in 80% of patients.
What destruction of joints causes a white blood cell attack?
The consequence is the inflammation of the synovium, which produces less and worse quality synovial fluid. Inflammation can spread to the cartilage and gradually lead to erosion and decay. Hence, the characteristic symptom of rheumatoid arthritis is the morning stiffness of the fingers, wrists and feet, from which the disease usually begins. Later, this condition may also include other joints. The mobility of the fingers usually improves under the influence of everyday routine activities.
How do you feel a person suffering from rheumatoid arthritis?
The initial symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis are: low-grade fever, general weakness, lack of appetite, weight loss. There may gradually be swelling and pain in the small joints of the hands and feet. The disease also affects the knee joints. As it gets worse, the changes may include all joints causing loss of interosseous muscles, contractures that impair limb function. If the body fails to overcome the disease itself, it becomes chronic. It may result in reduced mobility in the joints and even immobilization.
How do we treat rheumatoid arthritis?
The treatment of rheumatoid arthritis is comprehensive: pharmacological, sometimes operational; physiotherapy and kinesiotherapy are necessary. The course of the disease, like other rheumatoid diseases, is difficult to predict - each suffers differently. Therefore, the treatment must be carried out individually, under strict medical supervision.
What should he know about?
A drug that has helped one patient can harm someone. The psychological factor is extremely important in the treatment of rheumatic diseases. The patient must be aware that rheumatism does not die and you have to learn to live with it - also with the pain that accompanies it.
Movement is a basic medicine!
Sometimes rheumatic pain decreases after immobilization of the joint, while the patients try to move little. It's a mistake! Movement is essential in the treatment of rheumatoid diseases. Movement rehabilitation carried out under the guidance of an experienced physiotherapist, adapted to the patient's capacity, prevents joint stiffening, muscular atrophy and ligament depletion. In a word, it preserves the ability of movement and normal life activity.
Painkillers do not cure, but allow exercise and movement
In pharmacies, many painkillers and anti-inflammatories recommended as anti-rheumatism are available without a prescription. They can be used - as recommended in the leaflet - but it is better to consult a doctor. The patient must be told what medications he can use to prevent exacerbation of rheumatoid disease. It is also important to avoid the complications of peptic ulcer disease of the stomach and duodenum.
Which painkiller to choose?
Gels and ointments recommended as anti-rheumatic preparations contain several medicinal substances that act simultaneously on analgesic, anti-inflammatory and loosening periarticular tissues. The dose is small and only works locally - it relieves or eliminates pain and improves joint mobility. When buying them you need to check whether they have warming, cooling or neutral properties, because cold or heat intolerance may occur depending on the condition. You can not use several preparations at the same time with similar effect, as it may cause undesirable effects.
Prevention is the most important
Drugs will not help us much if we do not remove the causes that are conducive to disease. Appropriate diet (as little as possible animal fats), preventing overweight, smoking, avoiding smoky rooms, outdoor movement, proper physical exercises, although they do not cure, but slow down the development of the disease. Above all, avoid negative stress!
What is worth knowing
People of all races around the world suffer from rheumatoid arthritis. In Poland, they are found in 0.5%. population, more often in women than men (1: 3). Rheumatic diseases are diseases of the connective tissue, the main building block of the basic parts of the skeletal system: bones, cartilage, ligaments, fascia, synovial fluid. Connective tissue cells, scattered throughout the body, in tissues and in the blood, have a common origin, but a different appearance as a result of various activities performed by them in the body. One of its components is a protein called collagen, constituting 1/3 of all body proteins, and elastin, a protein with a structure similar to collagen.
