Joint inflammation

Synonyms in a broader sense

• arthritis
• Arthralgia
• Pain joint

Definition of joint inflammation

Under one Joint inflammation (arthritis) one understands an inflammatory and usually painful disease of one or more Jointsthat can occur acutely or chronically and can have many different triggers.

to form

In principle, the Joint inflammation divide into two broad groups: those who from infections (with bacteria or fungi) come about and those who non-infectious due are (for example the Rheumatoid arthritis or joint inflammation caused by other diseases such as gout or psoriasis).

In their symptoms, however, the different types are similar in that they actually all have the typical ones five signs of inflammation accompanied:

• overheat
• Redness
• swelling
• Pain
• and limited functionality.

In contrast to the acute forms, the chronic joint inflammation however, in spurts and can flare up again and again, even if there has been a longer symptom-free interval. Long-term inflammation of the joints can ultimately destroy the joint and lead to malpositions or even disabilities.

Bacterial joint inflammation

The most common are bacterial joint inflammation.
There are two ways the bacteria can get to the joints:
Either through open wounds following an accident or during surgical interventions, but also via the Blood way, which means, that bacteria be "washed up" by another source of infection in the body to the joint and cause a corresponding reaction there.
In otherwise healthy adults, the triggering bacteria are of the same species in over half of the cases Staphylococcus aureus.
Joint inflammation is typical as part of a bacterial infection purulent (one then speaks of a Joint empyema).
In this form are all symptoms are classically very pronounced, usually there is also a Joint effusion in front.
This clinical picture is always one medical emergency.
This can happen within a few hours or days Destruction of the affected joint and or Spread of germs and thereby to one Blood poisoning come.

Surgical intervention is therefore carried out as soon as possible.
Usually an Opening of the joint and a Jointoscopy (Arthroscopy), during which the inflamed joint can be flushed out and infected material can be removed from the joint.
At the same time, a treatment should always be included Antibiotics take place, which can initially take place calculated without a pathogen detection, at the latest when a pathogen has been identified (usually from the material of a puncture of the joint effusion), this should then be adjusted if necessary.

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Non-infectious joint inflammation

Both non-infectious joint inflammation stands the Rheumatoid arthritis (RA, too primary rheumatoid arthritis or called PCP) in the foreground.
This belongs in the Types of rheumatic diseases and is a Autoimmune disease. This means that the body wrongly classifies the body's own elements as foreign for a reason that is not yet fully known and initiates an inflammatory reaction against them.
In rheumatoid arthritis, this inflammatory reaction is directed, among other things, against components of the articular cartilage, as a result of which the bone surface is exposed more and more and finally bone rubs on bone. The Affected joints are typically the small joints of the hands and fingers and they are symmetrical on both sides of the body. In the beginning, rheumatoid arthritis is often made easy by one Morning stiffness the joints noticeable. This disease is however chronically progressive and can become pronounced in the terminal stages if not properly treated Misalignments, especially the hands, violent Pain and severely restricted mobility of the affected joints.
Various parameters from the blood (especially certain antibodies and rheumatoid factors) and x-rays, in which typical changes in the joints can be determined, are used to diagnose rheumatoid arthritis. The most important treatment options for rheumatoid arthritis include:

• Painkillers from the anti-rheumatic forms (NSAIDs, for example Ibuprofen)
• anti-inflammatory drugs how Cortisone
• specific Rheumatoid drugs
• possibly Immunosuppressantsto weaken the body's overreacting defense system.

Some Metabolic diseases as the gout can also lead to joint inflammation. In this particular case, the arthritis is triggered by being yourself uric acid builds up in the joint (acute, very painful attack of gout). This type of joint inflammation mostly occurs in the Big toe joint in front.

About 5% of patients who have a psoriasis (psoriasis) suffer, inflammation of the joints develops as an accompanying symptom of this disease.
In contrast to rheumatoid arthritis, the infestation pattern is not symmetrical here, but is classic all joints of a finger or a toe affected “in the beam”.
The diagnosis of this disease is often made more difficult by the fact that the joint problems can occur long before the skin changes that point the way forward.

Localization of joint inflammation

Inflammation of the joints on the fingers

The Rheumatoid arthritis is the most common inflammatory disease of the joints. This autoimmune disease typically affects small joints: Can do that on the finger Base joint as well as that middle finger joint be affected, the wrist is never affected in rheumatoid arthritis. In most cases of rheumatoid arthritis, multiple joint inflammations occur in parallel, often on both hands symmetrical are distributed.
The joints are swollen soft, but still bulging and feel hot on. A typical early symptom of rheumatoid arthritis is a long one Morning stiffness the finger joints for over 30 minutes. The joint inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis can include strong general symptoms such as fever, Weight loss and fatigue be accompanied.
In the course of the disease, the joint inflammation leads to Deformities of the fingers (Gooseneck deformity or buttonhole deformity) due to misalignments and stiffening of the joints. Is treated with Painkillers, cortisone, special rheumatism drugs and Immunosuppression with severe courses.

Inflammation of the joints of the fingers can occasionally also be a symptom of a Reactive arthritis after bacterial infections, but generally the fingers are less common than larger joints.

You might also be interested in this topic: Rheumatoid arthritis

Joint inflammation on the hand

If rheumatoid arthritis affects the wrist, flexing it towards the palm is particularly painful. The wrist is typically elastic, swollen and overheated.

In psoriasis (psoriasis), an autoimmune skin disease, various joints can also be inflamed. It is typical here that all joints of a finger and the associated metacarpal bones are affected by the inflammation, which then occurs as a single "Sausage fingers"appears and is known medically as dactylitis.
In the case of joint inflammation in the context of psoriasis, various joints, including the end joints of the fingers, are also possible, although the joint inflammations are not symmetrically distributed as in rheumatoid arthritis.

Chronic inflammatory diseases of the bowel (Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis) In addition to the typical bowel-specific symptoms, they can also be felt in the joints of the hands and fingers: This type of joint inflammation is improved by treating the chronic bowel disease and only rarely leads to permanent damage to the joint.

You can find more information on our website: Inflammation of the wrist and pain in the metacarpal boil

Joint inflammation on the foot

The autoimmune joint inflammation already mentioned Rheumatoid arthritis or the psoriasis can of course also affect the ankle or other joints on the foot. The joint inflammation then manifests itself in addition to swelling, reddening and overheating Pain when walking or standing.
Affects psoriasis (psoriasis) the foot, in many cases all of the joints of a toe and the associated metatarsal bones are affected by the inflammation, which is known as dactylitis.

Joint inflammation in the foot is often caused by a Reactive arthritis triggered, which in many cases affects the knee, but also very often affects the ankle. About 2 to 6 weeks after infections of the gastrointestinal tract or des Genitourinary system Hereditary patients can develop reactive arthritis. Possible pathogens are e.g. B. Yersinia, gonococci, streptococci and various viruses.
It is interesting that the pathogens in the joint cannot be detected because the joint inflammation is caused by a Cross reaction of the immune system is triggered. In most cases, reactive arthritis heals in a few months but about 20-25% of patients have to be treated permanently with medication.

A special case of pathogen-related joint inflammation is Lyme arthritis. Months to years after one Tick ​​bite The Borrelia that may be transmitted can trigger joint inflammation, which most often affects the large joints. Most often the knee is inflamed, but the ankle is also often affected.

You can find more information on our website: Inflammation in the ankle

Inflammation of the joints on the toes

The toes can also occasionally come off Rheumatoid arthritis be infested.
Inflammation of the Metatarsophalangeal joint is typical of an acute one Attack of gout. The gout is a metabolic disorder that causes increased uric acid levels in the blood for various reasons. If the uric acid level is too high, the uric acid is stored in the form of Uric acid crystals in joints from. The metatarsophalangeal joint of the big toe is affected in 60%.
The uric acid crystals cause swelling and joint inflammation, which suddenly (often at night) occurs and very painful so that, for example, the duvet is a painful stimulus. The patients usually have fever.
Treats in acute attacks with anti-inflammatory pain relievers, The high uric acid levels should be prophylactically reduced through a healthy diet and, if necessary, medication such as allopurinol.

You might also be interested in the following topics: Inflammation in the big toe or Pain in the big toe - these are the causes

Diagnosis

There are many things that can help with diagnostics. First of all, a detailed anamnesis should be taken, in which one goes into previous illnesses and operations.
In addition, a mobility test of the joint and a pain history should be carried out.

The examination may be followed by joint effusion, which means there is too much fluid that normally shouldn't be there.
In this case, a joint puncture, for example a knee puncture, can be undertaken.

The liquid obtained can then be examined for possible causes such as bacteria, and red and white blood cells can also be determined, which can also indicate the cause. A removal of the synovial fluid without a previous effusion can also provide information on the genesis.

Furthermore, in the event of inflammation in the joint, general blood values ​​can also be changed, which is why a blood sample is part of the diagnosis, whereby inflammation values ​​can be determined.
Imaging methods such as X-rays are also used for diagnostics.

therapy

General helps with one acute inflammation elevating or cooling the affected joint. It can also use pain relievers and anti-inflammatory agents, such as Ibuprofen or Diclofenac be taken.

Furthermore, anti-inflammatory drugs such as Steroids be helpful.
However, it is important that the correct treatment of joint inflammation can only be carried out with a correct diagnosis.
In the case of infectious arthritis, for example, a drug against the pathogen, such as antibiotics for rheumatoid arthritis or arthritis due to another underlying disease, requires therapy for the underlying disease in addition to the therapy against the acute inflammation.

Treatment with homeopathy

Many different drugs can be used in homeopathy to treat joint inflammation. Belladonna D12 should be at highly painful, throbbing, severely reddened joint inflammation be used with strong overheating.
Is the pain in the joint rather stabbing and the Redness less severe pronounced and the symptoms can be relieved with cool compresses Apis D12 be applied. Other possible preparations are Bryonia D12 at severe pain even with the smallest movements and Arnica D12 at rather dull pain of the inflamed joint.

prevention

To one arthritis It is of course important first of all to prevent any underlying diseases that may be present Joint inflammation can bring with them to treat adequately.
During operations and open wounds, the tissue should always be kept as sterile as possible.
In addition, regular movements that do not put too much strain on the joints (such as swimming or walking) generally have a positive effect on them.

Summary

There are various causes that can cause pain in the joints, one of which is joint inflammation - arthritis.
A joint inflammation can affect one or more joints at the same time so one speaks of a joint Monarthritis and if there are several joints, from one Polyarthritis.

Furthermore, the joint inflammation can be based on a chronic process and is then referred to as so-called rheumatoid arthritis.
Another cause is an infection-related joint inflammation.

In addition, the cause of the joint inflammation can be an accident or an injury to the knee, if germs were carried into the knee joint in this way.
One then speaks of one post-traumatic inflammation.

One final cause are Signs of wearthat lead to constant inflammatory irritation of the joint and thus lead to joint inflammation.
In addition, chronic diseases such as gout or more Autoimmune diseases apart from rheumatism lead to joint inflammation.

The development of joint inflammation can be traced back to a process in which inflammatory mediators are released.
This is followed by an increased blood flow to the tissue, resulting in a Edema formation, which can explain the symptoms.

The symptoms are that classic signs of inflammation, such as redness, swelling, overheating and pain with functional restrictions in the joint. The joint can exhibit one to one stiffness. Other symptoms can be of a general nature, such as Fatigue and fever.