Arthralgia: What is it? Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, Prognosis and Rehabilitation

Definition:

It is about pain in the joints which is a symptom, not a disease. It can be used as a diagnostic method until the true cause of the pain is determined.

It affects a single joint (monoartralgia) or multiple joints (polyarthralgia). In general, the involvement of a single joint and pain in several joints indicates systemic disease.

Causes

Localized Causes

Infectious arthritis (septic arthritis), inflammation of the bursa (bursitis), vascular necrosis, tumor, inflammation of a tendon (tendinitis) or trauma.

Systemic causes

The osteoarthritis , fibromyalgia , arthritis crystals, polymyalgia induced systemic lupus erythematosus , rheumatoid arthritis fever or rheumatoid. Lyme disease, influenza, and many other systemic bacterial and viral infections can also cause joint pain .

Non-joint causes

Disorders of bones, nerves or blood vessels such as osteomyelitis, radiculopathy, nerve entrapment, or vasculopathy.

Diagnosis

The presence of symptoms such as fever, sore throat, tiredness, swelling in the joints, or malaise, you need a hospital appropriate to address previous and current diseases; In addition to injuries and medications to help diagnose the underlying condition.

Physical exam

The general state of health will be evaluated with a complete physical examination. Laboratory tests include erythrocyte sedimentation rate (or ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), a complete blood count (hemoglobin, hematocrit, red blood cells [RBC], white blood cell count [GB], and uric acid level.

Treatment

Treatment depends on the underlying cause and varies based on whether the disease or condition is acute or chronic, whether it is inflammatory or non-inflammatory.

Although the specific cause of arthralgia remains unknown, the person can take anti-inflammatory medications, non-narcotic analgesics to relieve discomfort, change activity and / or exercises.

Forecast

The prognosis depends on the underlying cause, if the arthralgia is acute as a symptom of rheumatoid arthritis , polymyalgia, lupus or fibromyalgia may respond favorably to a successful treatment of the disease with anti-inflammatory, immunosuppressive or disease-modifying drugs.

If the disease is chronic, the outbreaks and persistence of arthralgias it is possible that joint replacement is required which can be very successful especially in the treatment of severe arthritis of the hip and knee.

Rehabilitation

It aims to reduce pain and preserve the integrity of the person. Although the type of treatment depends on the underlying cause, rehabilitation often includes occupational and physical therapy. Therapy will include a program that combines stretching and strengthening exercises.

Pain control can be achieved through the use of cold, heat, and electrical stimulation . All exercises are aimed at restoring full function and reducing pain.

An occupational therapist can educate people on protective techniques to improve the performance of daily life, as well as the use of adaptive devices to promote independence and safety.