The human foot is an important element of the musculoskeletal system. It is designed to move and maintain the body in an upright position. This part of the leg bears a colossal load of a static and dynamic nature, which is supported by stable joints, developed soft tissues, strong muscles and ligaments. Inflammation of the joints of the foot occurs as a result of injuries, infections, severe overload, wearing uncomfortable shoes. It causes severe pain. Despite the discomfort, people are in no hurry to see a doctor, and the lack of timely treatment leads to serious problems even among young people.
General information
The foot has a stable and strong structure to perform its functions. It consists of 26 bones, 33 joints and more than a hundred ligaments, muscles and tendons. Foot provides:
- balance and support while standing;
- absorption of impact energy during landing,and giving the body a vertical position at the moment of repulsion from the support;
- protection of the musculoskeletal system from overload and injury.
The skeleton of the foot consists of:
- tarsals - it has two large bones: talus and calcaneus;
- metatarsus - contains five tubular bones;
- phalanges of the fingers are tubular bones (the thumb consists of two, the rest of three).
For functionality, all the bones of the foot are connected by joints. Doctors of the East believe that the foot is an indicator of the human body. By its condition, you can determine all the ailments of a person. Unhe althy sensations in this area should not be ignored.
Causes of joint pain
Why does the joint of the foot hurt? There are many reasons for this phenomenon. The most common are:
- Wearing uncomfortable and tight shoes - daily use of high heels that squeeze the foot leads to muscle strain and reduced blood flow.
- Overweight - constantly putting pressure on the joints of the feet.
- Flat feet - modification of the shape of the foot as a result of the omission of the transverse and longitudinal arch.
- Injuries: dislocation, metatarsal fracture, contusions, torn and sprained ligaments.
- Increased physical activity.
All of these factors contribute to increased stress on the metatarsophalangeal joints of the foot. In addition to them, systemic disorders that occur in the body affect pain. These include:
- Infectious diseases - tissue and joint damage occurs with inflammation of the intestines, genitourinary and respiratory systems, syphilis, gonorrhea.
- Osteoporosis is the loss of calcium and phosphorus from the bones.
- Arthritis - it affects people of all ages and is a systemic disease.
- Arthrosis of the joints of the foot is an age-related disease.
- Gout - due to metabolic disorders in the joints, uric acid is deposited.
- Diabetic foot is a complication of diabetes. As a result of metabolic disorders, blood flow in small vessels worsens, and foot changes occur.
- Synovitis - inflammation of the synovium.
- Periostitis is an acute inflammation of the periosteum.
- Psoriatic polyarthritis - occurs after long-term treatment of skin diseases, and in rare cases ahead of them, and the joints of the foot begin to hurt before skin rashes.
- Varicose disease - is a consequence of congenital disorders of the structure of the venous wall, prolonged sitting or standing, heart failure.
- Ligamentitis - inflammation of the ligaments.
- Muscle pain - often similar to joint pain. Myositis can be caused by an infection or have another origin.
Horse joint ointment
When there is severe pain in the joints of the legs, a person tries all the medicines that are at hand, just to get rid of it. Some, having tried this ointment, get a positive effect and recommendher to her friends. Many doctors are negative about the use of veterinary drugs for the treatment of humans, believing that they contain an increased concentration of substances that can cause irritation, allergies and skin burns. The manufacturer does not bear any responsibility for side effects, since the ointments are made for animals, and they must be used for their intended purpose. Other medical professionals tend to believe that Horsepower ointment has a therapeutic effect. Its chemical composition is similar to the corresponding medicinal products for humans. Horse ointment for animals is used to reduce their pain syndrome, which has developed as a result of an injury or disease of the legs. It is also used for preventive purposes during intense physical exertion. The ointment contains only natural ingredients. Includes:
- Vitamin E is an excellent antioxidant. It slows down cell aging, promotes rapid wound healing, and prevents blood clots.
- Lavender oil - it gives elasticity to the skin and softens it.
- Peppermint essential oil - has a cooling effect, relieves muscle tension.
- Excipients: carbopol, propylparaben, methylparaben, soybean oil, glycerin, water.
Besides this, Horsepower ointment produces a warming effect due to the extract of chestnut and pepper. People apply it on the skin with a thin layer and rub it in with massaging movements. The procedure is carried out twice a day. To enhance the effect of the drug, the diseased joint is wrapped with a warm scarf. Maximum relief comes withtwo weeks, improvement noted after two applications.
Main signs of joint damage
When the joint is damaged and there is no appropriate therapy, the process begins to progress and captures the periarticular tissues, possibly attaching a secondary infection. Over time, deformation occurs and, for example, a bone may appear on the joint of the foot of the big toe. There are several specific signs of the disease:
- Joint pain - at first there is mild discomfort, which is attributed to fatigue, then the pain intensifies and begins to limit walking.
- Reduces range of motion in the joint.
- There is reddening of the skin in the affected area, and an increase in temperature.
- Swelling gradually spreads to the tissues surrounding the joint.
Features of symptoms in various diseases
Each specific disease of the foot joints has its own characteristics, let's consider some of them:
- Arthrosis. More common in older people. It affects the joints of the toes, and if left untreated, leads to complete immobilization. Pain at an early stage occurs only after heavy physical exertion, there is a crunch of the metatarsophalangeal joints, with the development of the disease it intensifies. There is a dull aching pain that worsens after exercise. It subsides in the morning and reappears in the evening. With the development of the disease, each attack of pain can last more than a day.
- Arthritis - affects not only the musculoskeletalapparatus, but also vital internal organs. This disease affects the small joints of the foot. They are characterized by swelling, soreness, and redness of the skin over the affected area. The movements of the joints are limited, the pain intensifies in the morning, by the evening it subsides, while the stiffness of the movements decreases.
- Gout is a disease associated with the joint of the big toe. As a result of improper liver function, purine s alts are deposited in the joint, which causes pain. The initial stage of the disease does not manifest itself. Over time, pains of a paroxysmal nature appear, which then become permanent. The joint of the thumb swells, swelling is observed, the body temperature rises to 39 degrees. The worst pain occurs at night.
- Osteoporosis is the lack of calcium and phosphate in the bones of the foot. Painful sensations appear at rest and intensify with physical exertion.
- Foot injuries - there is severe pain, impaired or inability to move, swelling, hemorrhage.
- Rheumatism - pain is noted in the instep of the foot, redness occurs over the inflamed area, temperature, severe pain can occur in different joints and pass quickly.
Diagnostic Methods
A patient, when the joint of the foot hurts, should contact the he alth care institution to the local doctor or surgeon. He will collect an anamnesis of the disease, conduct a thorough examination of the diseased joint and prescribe the following diagnostic procedures:
- Complete blood count - will bethe erythrocyte sedimentation rate and the content of leukocytes were determined to identify the inflammatory process. They will also detect the number of eosinophils, which will determine the allergy.
- Biochemical analysis - will show rheumatic factor and C-reactive protein.
- X-ray - will clarify the severity of the pathological process and help to exclude joint injuries.
- Computer or magnetic resonance imaging will clarify the nuances of the disease.
- Puncture for examination of joint fluid.
- Ultrasound of the joint area.
- If tuberculosis is suspected, special samples are taken for research.
After receiving all the results of the examinations, and, if necessary, consultations with other specialists (infectionist, rheumatologist, hematologist, endocrinologist, phthisiatrician), the doctor will prescribe a course of therapy.
MRI of foot joints
Special attention when diagnosing the condition of the foot should be given to magnetic resonance imaging. It is a safe and painless procedure that is excellent for examining children and pregnant women. It is very important to note that the data obtained as a result of foot MRI are highly accurate. In the pictures, the foot is visible in different planes. This helps to diagnose tumors by setting their sizes to the nearest millimeter, tears, sprains, subchondral cysts, foreign bodies located in the joint area. MRI can be performed as a control study in treatment, that is, much more often than computed tomography or x-rays.
Main indications for MRIjoints serve:
- fractures that are difficult to diagnose, dislocations, sprains, torn ligaments and tendons;
- tumors of a benign and malignant nature;
- unexplained genesis of pain in the joint area, limited mobility, swelling;
- foreign bodies in the joint area;
- diseases of the apparatus of ligaments;
- nerve pinched;
- damage to the joint capsule;
- arthritis and arthritis.
Special preparation for MRI of the foot is not required. Only part of the body is exposed to the magnetic field. This procedure serves as one of the diagnostic methods. Only with its help it is impossible to make a final diagnosis, but in some cases MRI is indispensable.
Drug therapy
To eliminate the symptoms and treat the joints of the foot, the doctor, depending on the cause of the pathology, will prescribe the following drugs:
- non-steroids: Diclofenac, Indomethacin, Ibuprofen;
- antibiotics: cefazolin and penicillin;
- hormones: Dexamethasone, Triamcinolone, Prednisolone, Hydrocortisone;
- drugs that help restore tissue structure: "Glucosamine", "Chondroitin";
- painkillers: Novocaine, Ketorolac, Lidocaine;
- drugs that regulate the concentration of alkali and acid in the blood: Regidron, a solution of 4% sodium bicarbonate.
For some diseases of the joints, it is necessary to use antiviral drugs, hormones to correct the functioning of the pancreas and thyroid gland,anti-tuberculosis drugs.
Physiotherapy
Joints hurt, how to treat? This will help physiotherapy procedures, which are used in conjunction with drug treatment. The most commonly prescribed are:
- Magnetotherapy - the effect of a magnetic field on the tissues of the affected area improves microcirculation in them, reduces swelling, cartilage and periosteum recover faster.
- Electrophoresis - this method allows you to deliver drugs to the subcutaneous layer, from where they gradually affect the affected area of the foot.
- UHF - ultra-high frequencies have a beneficial effect on the tissues of the lower extremities, improving their metabolism.
The beneficial effects of physiotherapy are undeniable, but these procedures are not suitable for everyone. Contraindications are diseases of the cardiovascular system, malignant tumors, mental disorders and the age of the patient over 65.
Effective remedies for the treatment of joints with pepper
In an integrated approach to the treatment of joints, ointments with pepper are used. They have an irritating and warming effect, dilating blood vessels. In the periarticular region, the flow of blood, oxygen and nutrients increases. There is a normalization of metabolic processes, the patient feels relief. The best ointments for joints are based on hot pepper, snake and bee venom, salicylic acid. It should be remembered that warming ointments should not be used for children under the age of five, with dermatitis and open wounds, and rubbing withsalicylic acid.
Ointments with capsaicin (an alkaloid found in various types of capsicum) have the following effect:
- dilute blood vessels;
- reduce inflammation;
- heal and regenerate tissue;
- relieve swelling;
- normalize tissue nutrition;
- have a bactericidal effect;
- have an antioxidant effect.
In addition to all the listed properties, pepper rubs are affordable, are considered the best ointments for joints and are in demand. Before using the product, you should consult a doctor.
Treatment and prevention of joint pain in arthritis with creams
Arthritis is an autoimmune disease that affects the small joints of the hands and feet. It is provoked by excessive physical activity, bacterial and viral infections, stressful situations. The patient experiences severe constant pain, there is stiffness of movements, swelling. This leads to disorders of the nervous system and depression. When pain occurs, you should seek qualified help as soon as possible. In the early stages of the disease, you can use Citralgin cream to treat joints. It is prescribed by patients of any age, and the remedy has almost no contraindications. Cream "Citralgin" for arthritis:
- reduces inflammation;
- reduces pain and swelling;
- normalizes movement;
- reduces joint stiffness after a night out.
The use of anesthetic ointments, gels and creams for the treatment of joints, together with the therapy prescribed by the doctor, will help to significantly alleviate the patient's condition.
Surgery
The operative method is used when conservative treatment fails or is not effective, for example, when ligaments are torn. With a late visit to the doctor, the operation is also performed when the bumps on the first phalanx are removed. As a result of its growth, the joints of other fingers are deformed, so the altered area is cut down, and the bone fragments are fixed with a metal structure in the correct position. After rehabilitation, a second operation is performed, during which the device is removed. This treatment method is considered effective.
Joints hurt: how to treat?
With systematic pain, it is necessary to take adequate treatment. Only a doctor can make a diagnosis and only then prescribe the necessary therapy, but you can alleviate your condition at home. For this you need:
- Unloading and rest. Everyone should wear comfortable walking shoes. It is better for women to abandon the constant use of high-heeled shoes. You should not walk long distances and stand on your feet for a long time.
- Warm baths. They will relieve aching pain and fatigue after a hard day's work. All kinds of massage: manual using oil, walking on a special rug, sand, small pebbles - all this will alleviate the condition if the foot joint hurts.
- Calcium preparations and vitamins. Periodic intake of calcium and vitamin complexes will help fill the bone tissue with the necessary substances.
- Special shoes. Orthopedic shoes and special insoles are effective remedies for foot pain.
It must be remembered that home remedies can only temporarily alleviate joint pain, but not cure the disease. With severe and persistent pain, it is advisable to consult a doctor who, after a thorough examination, will make the correct diagnosis and prescribe a course of treatment for inflammation of the foot joint. It is very important to seek qualified help at an early stage of the disease.
