Arthritis is an inflammatory process of any origin in any joint. Signs of arthritis of the hands or, for example, the foot, will be similar due to the classic ""five"" manifestations of inflammation. These include redness, swelling, increased local temperature, pain, and impaired function (specifically for the joint - motor).
According to some data, about 20-30% of the adult population of the planet have signs of arthritis - often latent (hidden) or at the initial stage, developing very slowly and gradually (because of which they are not given importance). At the same time, the question of effective methods of treatment of arthritis of the knee joint or prevention of arthritis of the ankle joint is of equal concern to doctors in both African and European countries.
Arthritis is ""unique"" in that it can equally appear as an independent disease (spondylitis, Still's disease) and be a ""subsidiary"" symptom of another independent disease (arthritis with granulomatosis or hemachromatosis). Acute pain in arthritis of the ankle joint, which has arisen in the first place, equally disturbs patients, as well as pain in arthritis that has become a ""continuation"" of systemic lupus erythematosus. Therefore, such gradation is of importance only for ""flight analysis"" by doctors.
But patients should also know the difference between arthritis and arthrosis. Unlike arthritis, arthrosis is a non-inflammatory impression of the joints, the basis of which is a more serious process - degeneration (destruction) of joint tissues.
Rheumatoid arthritis, symptoms and complications of treatment
Rheumatoid arthritis is, without exaggeration, the scourge of the field of modern medicine that deals with arthritis. In this disease, which is autoimmune in nature, connective tissue is affected mainly in small joints (fingers and toes).
The disease is characterized by a high degree of disability. Its true causes are still unknown, which complicates the treatment process.
Symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis:
- pain in the joints due to swelling of their synovial bags;
- increased tissue temperature and swelling around the joints;
- deformation of the joints, which gradually develops (it seems to twist the fingers).
These are the most common signs of the disease. In fact, it has a large number of forms, in which parallel changes can be observed outside the joints:
- pleurisy;
- anemia;
- nephropathy;
- atherosclerosis and so on.
A separate form is juvenile arthritis, which affects children (at any age). The diagnosis of juvenile arthritis in children is made on the basis of clinical data and is confirmed by the results of rheumatic tests. Boys get sick more often.
Causes of gouty arthritis of the foot and hand, signs and tactics
Gouty arthritis is a pathology that develops as a result of deposits of uric acid salts in the joints, which in turn occurs due to metabolic disorders. Unlike rheumatoid arthritis, it burns strongly, but it is relatively easy to treat.
The most common modern causes of gouty arthritis of the feet and hands:
- increasing the amount of meat in the diet;
- wide use of ""pressure"" drugs;
- influence of male sex hormones.
Gout develops according to the following scheme:
- due to the abuse of alcohol, meat, and smoked products, the formation of uric acid in the blood increases;
- uric acid crystals begin to deposit in the joints;
- physical activity, stress, alcohol provoke a gout attack.
Diet, namely avoidance of trigger foods, is the mainstay of treatment for gout - unlike other forms of arthritis, where dietary restrictions are irrelevant (for example, the reactive arthritis diet that has been tried is actually ineffective).
Diagnosis of arthritis
The diagnosis of arthritis of any localization is made primarily by clinical manifestations - based on the above-mentioned classic ""five"", which affected the joint. In the case of an unclear clinic, instrumental methods are used:
- Ultrasound;
- X-ray;
- MRI.
Laboratory methods are also used in the diagnosis of arthritis, but they are not always equally informative for different types of arthritis. For example, a general blood test in purulent arthritis of a non-specific origin and in arthritis caused by granulomatosis will show only general signs of inflammation - an increase in the number of leukocytes, an increase in ESR - and will not help in differential diagnosis. Therefore, if granulomatosis is suspected, serum iron should be determined.
General principles of treatment and prevention of arthritis
Irrespective of which doctor treats an exacerbation of chronic arthritis or its acute form (a district therapist in a rural clinic or a narrow specialist in a city medical center), he must remember that the same pathology from the category of arthritis requires an individual approach . Treatment often depends on more than just the type of arthritis. For example, depending on the degree of arthritis of the shoulder joint, the approach to treatment will be different, although it is the same pathology.
Various home lotions and traditional medicine can temporarily alleviate the patient's condition. But they will not cure him completely. No folk home-grown healer is able to give a guarantee whether hip arthritis, spondylitis or gouty arthritis can be cured without serious comprehensive measures. And they are possible only in the conditions of the clinic if there is a staff of highly qualified specialists. Tablets and injections for a patient with infectious arthritis, gouty impression of the joints, psoriatic arthritis, etc. should be prescribed exclusively by a doctor with the available knowledge. On our website https://dobrobut.com/ you can find a list of doctors who will help you with any type of arthritis.
And preventive measures aimed at the occurrence of arthritis are similar:
- dosed loads on the joints;
- proper nutrition;
- control over the work of the immune system;
- avoidance of any infections.
Which doctor treats exacerbations of chronic arthritis and acute arthritis?
Primary diagnosis of arthritis can be carried out by any doctor, diagnosing not only the disease within the framework of his specialization, but also noticing pathological signs from the side of changed joints. In small clinics, a therapist deals with joint problems, in medical institutions with a developed structure - a rheumatologist, a traumatologist-orthopedic, and an immunologist. They will send for an examination, prescribe treatment and carry out periodic monitoring of the patient's condition. Also within their competence are measures aimed at preventing the disease (in particular, gymnastics and exercises for the prevention of arthritis).
Consultation of related specialists may be necessary. For example, a rheumatologist will invite a dermatologist to consult before deciding how to treat psoriatic arthritis of the fingers.
Related services:
Arthroscopy
Orthopaedics and traumatology
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