What causes polyarthritis and how to treat it

A disease such as polyarthritis is characterized by simultaneous or sequential inflammatory processes in several joints.

It is deservedly considered one of the most serious diseases that can arise for a number of reasons. That is why the symptoms of polyarthritis are different and require the use of different treatment methods.

You can undergo a course of treatment for polyarthritis at the CELT multidisciplinary clinic. We employ experienced specialists who have everything necessary for the diagnosis and successful treatment of this disease.

At CELT you can get a consultation with a traumatologist-orthopedic specialist.

• Initial consultation – 3,000
• Repeated consultation – 2,000

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Etiology

The causes of polyarthritis of the shoulder and other joints can be very different, from viral diseases to metabolic disorders. They include the following:

• colds, ARVI;
• tuberculosis;
• brucellosis;
• viral hepatitis;
• gonorrhea and other sexually transmitted infections;
• a variety of injuries;
• hereditary predisposition;
• metabolic disease;
• diseases of the nervous system;
• intense physical activity;
• allergic reactions;
• being overweight.

How does infectious-allergic polyarthritis occur?

As with any other arthritis, the patient's joints become swollen. He complains of pain in them and is often bothered by itching.

When moving, the discomfort intensifies. But these symptoms will be quite blurred, not as obvious as with other types of arthritis.

The pathology begins to develop after a respiratory illness and usually affects several joints at once, usually the knees and ankles.

Body temperature may increase. The joints swell.

Even if this condition is not treated, it usually goes away in about two weeks. Normal joint mobility returns, and even an x-ray does not show any changes.

Relapses are possible after other cases of respiratory diseases and even after simple hypothermia.

Clinical manifestations

Depending on the cause of the disease, there are:

• rheumatoid polyarthritis;
• infectious polyarthritis;
• reactive polyarthritis;
• psoriatic polyarthritis;
• gouty polyarthritis;
• post-traumatic polyarthritis and other forms.

The symptoms of polyarthritis of the knee and other joints directly depend on the type of disease. The most common symptoms of the disease are pain in the affected joints, redness of the skin, swelling, impaired joint mobility, etc.

Features of the disease

Arthritis is a disease that is associated with inflammation of the joints.

When the process affects more than one joint, experts talk about polyarthritis.

When we talk about infectious-allergic polyarthritis, we mean the inflammatory process.

It is an allergic reaction to an infection. Most often, inflammation is caused by streptococci or staphylococci.

Doctors draw clear parallels between diseases in the upper respiratory tract (pharyngitis, sinusitis, laryngitis) and this type of arthritis.

The exact mechanism of development of the disease is still unknown, so no one can explain why some patients will develop arthritis and others will not.

Most likely, other allergic reactions, weak immunity, and genetic characteristics are important.

This type of arthritis does not deform the joints, and therefore does not threaten loss of mobility and disability.

The disease develops rapidly, but gradually disappears; such patients rarely require hospitalization.

True, many of them have relapses. By the way, this type of disease is mainly detected in women under 40 years of age.

Diagnostics

Diagnosis of polyarthritis of the fingers and other joints can be quite difficult, since the causes of this pathological condition are different. Doctors at the CELT clinic have everything necessary to conduct comprehensive diagnostic studies, accurately determine the cause of the disease and make a correct diagnosis. Diagnosis of this disease in our clinic includes the following:

• examination by a specialist - an orthopedic traumatologist or rheumatologist, taking an anamnesis;
• determining the connection between polyarthritis and other pathologies or injury;
• conducting laboratory research;
• radiography, MRI, ultrasound;
• arthroscopy if indicated.

Diagnosis of infectious-allergic polyarthritis

The insidiousness of such arthritis is that only an experienced diagnostician can determine it.

Experts often confuse it with manifestations of ankylosing spondylitis or with other types of arthritis due to the similarity of symptoms.

The doctor needs to rule out traumatic arthritis that is not associated with infection.

Infectious-allergic polyarthritis can be confused with intermittent hydrarthrosis, urogenic arthritis, gout or borreliosis.

Diagnosis will require a whole range of measures. Including blood and urine tests, bacterial culture and synovial fluid analysis, radiography and ultrasound examination of joints.

It is imperative to pay attention to the clinical picture of the disease and the stages of development of the pathology.

Treatment

If we are talking about infectious polyarthritis, antibiotics are mandatory. Immunosuppressants and hormonal drugs are an integral part of the treatment of rheumatoid polyarthritis.

In addition, physiotherapeutic procedures are carried out:

• professional massage;
• ultrasound;
• thermal applications;
• physiotherapy.

Treatment is often carried out in courses during seasonal exacerbations of diseases.

The treatment plan for polyartitis is drawn up by our specialists in accordance with individual indications and the results of diagnostic studies. First of all, efforts are aimed at reducing or eliminating pain and inflammation. For this purpose, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and analgesics are used.

What causes polyarthritis and how to treat it

Polyarthritis of the lower extremities is one of the most common diseases. This disease was associated with old people, but now it occurs at any age. It is necessary to study the risks and reasons to avoid such health problems. The disease causes severe pain, adds inconvenience and sometimes leads to disability.

The most common causes of the disease

Multiple inflammatory processes are caused by the following reasons:

• connective tissue diseases (rheumatoid arthritis or rheumatism);
• infection of other parts of the body;
• injuries;
• negative external influences;
• genetics;
• autoimmune disease;
• changes in metabolic processes;
• obesity;
• diseases of the endocrine system.

All this leads to the development of inflammation of the mucous membrane, changes in the composition and amount of synovial fluid. Subsequently, there is a deterioration in the nutrition of the articular cartilage. Pyogenic microbes lead to infectious polyarthritis. The causative agents are gonococci, streptococci, and staphylococci. A malfunction in the immune system sometimes leads to polyarthritis. The knee joints and arms are most often affected.

The disease negatively affects the functioning of cartilage, ligaments, and tendons. It develops in chronic or acute form. The disease progresses quite quickly, and vivid symptoms appear. If the necessary measures are not taken in a timely manner, a person risks remaining disabled for life. Tissue degeneration and bone destruction are noted.

Main symptoms of the disease

The disease has the following manifestations:

• swelling;
• hyperthermia;
• dyspnea;
• thickening of the limbs;
• dislocations of the lower extremities;
• internal stiffness;
• soreness in the affected area.

Signs of the disease are typical not only for adults, but also for children. Joints and other parts of the body suffer. Pain in the legs does not go away even in a calm state. Stiffness of movement is noted in the affected areas. The skin over the joint may turn red, muscle and tissue atrophy, and crunching may be noted.

It must be taken into account that polyarthritis is inflammation of five or more joints at once. It can be primary, that is, an independent disease, or secondary. According to the nature of the course: acute, chronic, subacute.

Diagnostic measures

Before starting treatment, you need to make sure that the patient has polyarthritis. For this purpose, appropriate diagnostic measures are prescribed. X-rays, MRIs, CT scans, urine and blood tests, and arthrography may be required. Based on the collected data, treatment is prescribed.

You should not self-diagnose or self-medicate. It is better to contact specialists who will help establish the correct diagnosis and prescribe treatment. You can choose a spinal massage

or other parts of the body.

How to cope with polyarthritis of the lower extremities

Initially, you need to find the factor that provokes its development. This will allow you to quickly cope with the disease. If a sick person is diagnosed with a viral infection, he is prescribed antiviral treatment. Anti-inflammatory therapy may be needed to help manage severe leg pain. It is imperative to strengthen the immune system; this can be done in different ways, which will help increase the body’s resistance to infections. Acupressure, pharmacopuncture, and acupuncture help perfectly.

Physiotherapy will help to cope with the problem and eliminate the symptoms of the disease. With the help of special devices, you can achieve vasodilating, anti-inflammatory, and absorbable effects. Electrical energy is used during treatment procedures:

• ultrasound;
• cryotherapy;
• magnetic therapy;
• electrophoresis.

Paraffin therapy for muscle relaxation, mud therapy, and ozokerite therapy are effective.

Treatment methods at home

You will definitely need to follow a diet, which will help reduce body weight, reduce the load on the lower limbs, this will allow you to quickly cope with the disease. Particular attention is paid to vitamins E and D. A balanced diet is especially important during the treatment of polyarthritis. The menu includes fish, vegetables, and fruits. Therapeutic gymnastics and a massage course are suitable.

Traditional medicine recipes will also help, that is, ointments and tinctures that have a warming effect. Raw potatoes are applied to the knee joint to help relieve pain and swelling. You can use pharmaceutical chamomile, which is infused in the following proportion: 10 g per glass of boiling water and consume a tablespoon 4 times a day. Traditional medicine can be quite effective in treating polyarthritis. The cinquefoil plant is used for compresses; it is first infused with vodka. You can resort to pine baths.

Pay more attention to walking and physical exercise, which will improve endurance, help get rid of excess weight, and reduce the load on the lower limbs. Do sports exercises in a lying position. You will have to give up heels and uncomfortable shoes.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are often prescribed to eliminate swelling, temperature, and pain. For any course of the disease, it is important to be treated comprehensively. These are not always medicinal approaches. If you approach the issue of treatment correctly, you can do without surgery.

You can do hardening, go to the pool more often, do not overload the body, spend less time sitting.
This is only a small part of the recommendations that will help cope with polyarthritis. It is necessary to pay attention to disease prevention in order to prevent the disease. You should drink more water to maintain water-salt balance to prevent salt accumulation in the joints. Author: K.M.N., Academician of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences M.A. Bobyr

Orthopedics and traumatology services at CELT

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• Saturday: 8.00–18.00
• Sunday is a day off

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• Partisan
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