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Diagnosis of acute arthritis

01 Aug 18

Diagnosis of arthritis: clinical examination, laboratory and instrumental methods

The following algorithm is used to diagnose arthritis:

  • Clinical examination.
  • Laboratory research methods.
  • Instrumental research methods.
  • Usually, to correctly diagnose and clarify the etiology of arthritis, consultation with a specialist is necessary:

  • rheumatologist (to exclude rheumatoid, reactive arthritis),
  • traumatologist (to exclude post-traumatic arthritis),
  • dermatologist (to exclude psoriasis),
  • infectious disease specialist (to exclude infectious diseases, the course of which may be complicated by arthritis - yersiniosis, hepatitis and others),
  • phthisiatrician (to exclude tuberculous arthritis) and others.
  • A clinical examination by a specialist begins with a detailed conversation, during which the doctor collects:

  • anamnesis of the disease (asks in detail about the symptoms, duration of the disease, the connection of symptoms with physical activity and other features of the course of the disease),
  • life history (examines the presence of bad habits, concomitant diseases, lifestyle features, previous injuries and operations),
  • family history (presence or absence of predisposition to a certain pathology).
  • Next comes the actual inspection, which includes:

    • identification of external changes in the affected joint (deformation, swelling, hyperemia);
    • detection of pain in the joint (at rest, upon palpation and during movement);
    • determining the range of motion in the joint;
    • determination of muscle tone;
    • sensitivity study.
    • Then the specialist prescribes the necessary laboratory tests to confirm the diagnosis.

      Laboratory diagnosis of arthritis

    • General blood analysis. Changes in the general blood test depend on the type of arthritis. They may not exist at all or they may be minimal (during remission in chronic arthritis). All acute arthritis and chronic arthritis in the acute stage are characterized by an acceleration of ESR. In infectious arthritis of bacterial etiology, an increase in the number of leukocytes with a shift of the formula “to the left” is also observed. If the arthritis is allergic in nature, then there may be an increase in the number of eosinophils.
    • Blood chemistry:
    • violation of the ratio between protein fractions - observed in many types of arthritis and indicates the presence of an inflammatory process;
    • uric acid, seromucoid - increase with gout;
    • sialic acids – increase during the acute phase of inflammation, gout;
    • fibrinogen – increases in the acute phase of inflammation.
    • Immunological indicators:
    • C-reactive protein is a nonspecific indicator, indicates a pronounced inflammatory process and increases in many types of arthritis (reactive, rheumatoid, infectious and others);
    • rheumatoid factor – increases in rheumatoid arthritis;
    • antinuclear antibodies (ANA) - can increase in rheumatic processes, systemic connective tissue diseases (systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma and others);
    • antibodies to single-stranded DNA (anti-ds DNA antibodies) and double-stranded DNA (anti-ss DNA antibodies) - are a type of ANA, increased in rheumatoid arthritis and some other diseases;
    • circulating immune complexes – may also increase in rheumatoid arthritis;
    • β-1-acid glycoprotein – increases in the acute phase of inflammation (with reactive, rheumatoid and some other arthritis).
    • Other highly specialized studies:
    • complement levels (increased in systemic lupus erythematosus, and C3 and C4 complement components are usually decreased in rheumatoid arthritis);
    • level of specific immunoglobulins;
    • specific antibodies directed against certain types of infections (can trigger an autoimmune process);
    • genetic studies (analysis for HLA antigen - B 27) - are carried out for some types of reactive arthritis.
    • Instrumental research methods for diagnosing arthritis

      Let's consider various instrumental methods that can be used to diagnose arthritis.

      X-ray of the joint

      This is the main method for diagnosing joint arthritis. It is painless, non-invasive, and carries little radiation exposure to the body (unlike computed tomography).

      It is usually used repeatedly, first to diagnose arthritis, then to monitor the dynamics of the process during treatment.

      X-ray can determine the condition of bone structures and joint cavity, but does not visualize the condition of soft tissues (muscles, articular discs, ligaments). It reveals:

    • presence of traumatic injuries;
    • some inflammatory changes (for example, if the infectious process affects bone tissue);
    • neoplasms of bone tissue;
    • destruction and deformation of the articular surfaces of the bone, the presence of bone tissue growths (osteophytes);
    • the nature of the change in the joint cavity (its narrowing, the presence of foreign bodies in it - bone fragments, “articular mouse” and others).

    Radiography can be performed in several projections:

    According to indications, photographs can also be taken when performing functional tests (during maximum flexion and extension in the joint). Functional tests are commonly used in the diagnosis of spinal lesions.

    Usually, in addition to the affected joint, X-rays of a symmetrical “healthy” joint are simultaneously taken (for comparison purposes).

    Ultrasound examination of the joint

    Refers to auxiliary methods. High bone density does not always make it possible to obtain a clear image of the articular cavity. Therefore, ultrasound is usually used to diagnose arthritis of large joints, which are located superficially and are easily visualized from all sides using an ultrasound probe (knee, elbow, shoulder joints, less often - hip joint and spine).

    CT scan

    Computed tomography allows you to view x-ray sections of individual joint structures. As a result, the images are presented in the form of transverse and longitudinal sections. Unlike conventional radiography, it allows you to visualize the condition of soft tissues (but not as clearly as with magnetic resonance imaging). If computed tomography is used to diagnose diseases of the spine, it is often used in conjunction with myelography to clarify the condition of the soft tissue structures of the spinal cord.

    The method is very informative, but involves a large radiation dose with X-rays, so it is usually used only in controversial situations to clarify the diagnosis, as well as to obtain a more “clear” picture of bone tissue (osteophytes, fragments in the joint cavity).

    In addition, computed tomography requires large financial costs for the hospital and/or for the patient (in many diagnostic centers it is performed only for a fee).

    Magnetic resonance imaging

    Unlike computed tomography, it is safe, since the study is carried out using electromagnetic waves rather than x-rays, and therefore can be used repeatedly on the same patient. Provides clearer visualization of bone structures and soft tissues. However, the equipment for this study is expensive; not every hospital or diagnostic center can afford its purchase and maintenance. And very few patients will be able to pay for this study on their own.

    For some types of lesions, the use of magnetic resonance imaging is indispensable (for example, for diagnosing changes in nerve structures, muscles, ligaments, intervertebral discs and others).

    Based on the results of magnetic resonance imaging, an image is obtained in the form of a series of transverse and longitudinal sections in digital format.

    This is a radiation diagnostic method based on the introduction of the radiopharmaceutical 99cTs into the body. It is used mainly in cases of suspected synovitis and to identify pathological changes in bone tissue. After administration, the drug selectively accumulates in the organ being studied, which is revealed on a series of x-ray images.

    If there is active inflammation of the synovial membrane, then this looks like a diffuse accumulation of 99cTc in this area.

    The method is more sensitive than conventional radiography and is able to detect pathological changes at earlier stages.

    It is an invasive method. Most often it is carried out to diagnose arthritis of the knee joint, since it is large, accessible to comprehensive examination and convenient for puncture.

    During arthroscopy of the knee joint, the synovial membrane, the upper surface of the menisci, the anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments, and articular cartilage are accessible for inspection. With synovitis, there is thickening and hyperemia of the synovial membrane, loss of transparency by the villi and their increase. Fibrin clots or cartilage detritus are often found in the joint cavity, lying freely or fixed on the synovial membrane.

    During arthroscopy, it is possible to take a biopsy of the affected tissue or joint fluid for the purpose of subsequent morphological and bacteriological examination, as well as intra-articular administration of medications.

    Invasive procedure. It can be carried out for therapeutic and diagnostic purposes.

    Indications for puncture are:

  • obtaining synovial fluid for subsequent microscopic and bacteriological examination in order to clarify the diagnosis;
  • administration of medications into the joint cavity;
  • monitoring the effectiveness of therapy;
  • removal of blood from the joint cavity after injury or pus during an infectious process.
  • Arthrography is an X-ray examination of a joint. It can be performed by introducing gas (oxygen, nitrous oxide) into the joint cavity - pneumoarthrography or water-soluble iodide radiopaque agents.

    The method is used to clarify the condition of cartilage tissue and soft tissues (articular capsule, ligaments, menisci) in order to identify their pathological changes.

    Acute arthritis, as well as hypersensitivity to iodine preparations are contraindications to this technique.

    A highly specialized technique used to diagnose diseases of the spine, namely, the condition of soft tissues (spinal cord, nerve roots). Used in conjunction with computed tomography.

    It is performed by injecting a radiopaque contrast agent into the spinal canal.

    Contrasting discography

    Detects pathological changes in intervertebral discs by injecting a contrast agent into the disc.

    Electrospondylography (ESG)

    Used to assess the condition of the spinal column. Allows you to identify changes in the early stages, the level of damage, stage, and is also used to monitor the treatment process.

    Diagnosis of acute arthritis

    Neuralgic pain of arthrogenic origin must be differentiated from trigeminal neuralgia and arteritis of the superficial temporal artery.

    Pain with trigeminal neuralgia is superficial and spreads along the branches of the trigeminal nerve. It appears suddenly and disappears just as suddenly. Attacks of pain can be triggered by washing your face or talking. Paroxysmal pain along the branch of the triple nerve often occurs at rest, during sleep, while arthrogenic neuralgic pain in acute arthritis occurs and intensifies during movements of the lower jaw, when the jaw is shifted back by pressing on the chin. Arthrogenic pain of a reflex nature can occur with spasmodic contractions of the lateral pterygoid muscle. Arthrogenic pain differs in the duration of attacks of ear pain. These attacks are immediately eliminated by injecting an anesthetic into the area of ​​the trigger zones of the masticatory muscle, and attacks of trigeminal neuralgia are eliminated by injection into the area where the branches of the trigeminal nerve exit.

    With arteritis (inflammation or enlargement of the superficial temporal artery), severe pain also occurs in the TMJ area and along the superficial temporal artery. Palpation along the superficial temporal artery is painful. Injection of 1.0 ml of anesthetic above the zygomatic arch immediately relieves the attack of pain.

    Reflex arthrogenic neuralgic pain can also occur with neuromuscular dysfunctional syndrome. Pain also occurs with atypical movements of the lower jaw, with unilateral muscle spasms. Asynchronous contraction of the muscle groups of the same name, sharp spasms of the lateral pterygoid muscle can lead to compression of the auditory nerve between the posterior bundles of the meniscus tendons and the bony edge of the Glaser's fissure.

    Sharp pain upon palpation of the lateral pterygoid muscle through the oral cavity is an early sign of dysfunction of this muscle, which arose as a result of frequent spastic contractions. In addition, with neuromuscular imbalance due to atypical movements of the condyles, there is an incoherence of movements in the joint, which does not happen with acute arthritis. The excursion of the articular heads in acute arthritis is limited, and in case of dysfunction it can be normal or even excessive.

    Acute arthritis should be differentiated from myositis and general pulpitis.

    With myositis, the pain is diffuse, sometimes covering a significant part of the head, and intensifies when lightly touching the face, joint area, or head. There is no swelling or limitation of movements of the lower jaw.

    Neuralgic pain due to pulpitis is detected by carefully taking an anamnesis and examining the dentition to identify the causative tooth.

    In arthrology, along with clinical and x-ray examinations for acute inflammatory processes in the joint, the examination plan includes a puncture examination.

    The founder of arthrology, M. M. Dieteriks (1937), noted that the study of a joint cannot be considered complete without examining the puncture of the affected joint. Normally, the joint cavity contains a small amount of synovial fluid to lubricate the articular surfaces,

    The production of synovial fluid is regulated by iron rioceptors of the synovial membrane.

    The close biological connection between the synovial membrane and synovial fluid makes it possible to evaluate the metabolic processes between the synovial fluid and the bloodstream that supply the joint, and also allows us to study some of the responses of joint tissues when they are diseased.

    Acute arthritis is known to be caused by any coccal and specific infection. Therefore, the researchers' efforts were aimed at identifying the causative agent of the acute inflammatory process from the obtained punctate.

    However, no one was able to detect the pathogen in the joint effusion.

    Comparative characteristics of cytograms of synovial fluid in various pathological processes of the knee joint, carried out by A. I. Glandshtein (1963) and O. V. Chizhov (1967), made it possible to detect a certain cellular composition characteristic of a number of pathological conditions.

    Acute nonspecific inflammatory diseases of the joints are characterized by the presence of leukocytes with a small percentage of neutrophils. And chronic nonspecific arthritis is characterized by a predominance of neutrophils in the punctate.

    Thus, a puncture study can serve as an additional diagnostic test after clinical and radiological studies of the TMJ.

    In the domestic literature, T. N. Vladychenkova (1974) was the first to study punctate taken from the TMJ when it was affected by infection.

    Table of contents of the topic “Treatment of dislocations and arthritis of the mandibular joint”:

    Symptoms and treatment of acute arthritis

    Acute arthritis is very common in people over 40 years of age. But recently there are more and more cases when arthritis begins to manifest itself even in childhood. Arthritis is a very unpleasant disease that occurs as a result of inflammatory processes occurring in the body. Their combined result manifests itself in severe pain concentrated in the joints, usually at night, and it does not matter whether the person is moving at that time or not.

    The disease can develop over many years (chronic form) or occur suddenly (acute form). It is not uncommon to encounter cases where fever occurs during an exacerbation of arthritis.

    The disease can develop in several forms: chronic or acute. Acute arthritis of the knee joint has symptoms such as very severe pain, slight swelling, increased local or general temperature. A chronic disease may not show any signs of its development for a long time. Only in some situations, most often during hypothermia of the knee or due to physical activity, severe pain occurs.

    The acute form of the disease differs from the chronic form in that all symptoms are more clearly expressed. In addition, the disease destroys a person’s joints several times faster and causes regular severe pain. The location of acute arthritis can vary widely, but the most commonly affected areas are the shoulders, elbows, or knees.

    There are quite a few symptoms of this disease, and their onset will be incredibly sharp and extremely painful. So, acute arthritis has the following symptoms:

  • In a joint affected by arthritis, you can feel very strong and sharp pain. It can occur at any time of the day or be present all the time. As a rule, acute monoarthritis will manifest itself as pain in only one of the joints. If acute polyarthritis is observed, then pain will occur simultaneously in several joints.
  • In the place where the inflammatory process takes place, there will always be an elevated temperature. In some cases, unnatural bluish or red spots appear and a rash may appear.
  • You may notice slight swelling or swelling just above the joint where acute arthritis develops. If a person suffers from polyarthritis, then during its exacerbation, both the arms and legs or all limbs at the same time may become completely swollen.
  • The general condition of a person worsens sharply, because there are a huge number of other symptoms that can be called indirect: increased body temperature, severe headaches, tension, insomnia, constant body aches, nervousness. In most cases, patients do not even assume that such signs relate to the development of acute arthritis and believe that they have a common cold or some kind of infectious disease.
  • The main symptom is that a person loses the usual mobility of the joints of the arms and legs. Due to severe pain and due to the fact that the connective tissue is gradually destroyed, the affected limb loses part of its functionality. Due to acute arthritis of the joints of the hands, the upper limbs become less mobile. If you have acute arthritis of the legs, you cannot move freely.

    If a person begins to develop acute arthritis, then he must immediately consult a specialist for examination and prescribing the correct treatment for the disease. This form of the disease progresses very quickly, and after some time without proper treatment, other, more serious problems will be added to the severe pain.

    Causes

    The disease may begin to develop due to the following reasons:

  • There was a severe disruption in the metabolism. When there is a failure in the processes of removing uric salts from the body, they begin to accumulate in the joints over time. Because of this, problems arise with proper blood circulation and nutrition of certain organs. The result of such a failure is the occurrence of an inflammatory process and the appearance of an acute form of arthritis.
  • The cause may be a genetic predisposition. If there is someone in the family who suffers from a similar disease, then you need to be especially careful and prevent the disease, because the risk of developing acute arthritis in this case increases several times.
  • Excess weight. Due to excess weight, the load on the joints increases significantly, and this becomes the cause of the development of the disease in an acute form. Most often in such cases, the disease affects the hip, knee joints or foot, since the main part of the load falls on the lower limbs.
  • Some other diseases. Many autoimmune or infectious diseases can trigger the development of acute arthritis.
  • Working in adverse conditions. If a person is regularly hypothermic, works in a room with high humidity, and constantly has great physical activity, then sooner or later all this will result in acute arthritis of the joints, because these factors primarily affect a person’s joints.
  • Poor nutrition. If a person does not eat properly and also consumes too much salty food, then salt crystals will gradually accumulate in the joints. After some time, due to the love of salty foods, serious inflammation may begin to develop and, as a result, acute arthritis.
  • Frequent stressful situations. Regular stressful situations act as a catalyst in this case. It is worth noting that if stress is the cause, acute arthritis of the hands will most likely begin to develop.
  • Sport. Due to regular, too strong physical exertion, destruction, deformation and inflammation of the connective tissue that is found in human joints occurs. As a result of this, acute arthritis begins to develop very quickly, and if the load is not reduced or temporarily stopped, the rate of development of the disease will increase several times.
  • Diagnosis and treatment of the disease

    To diagnose acute arthritis in a person, you must do the following:

  • general and peripheral blood test;
  • X-ray;
  • puncture;
  • rheumatoid test.
  • Treatment of the disease is carried out in the following directions:

  • suppress the inflammatory process;
  • relieve severe pain;
  • chondroprotectors are prescribed;
  • external agents are prescribed.
  • To suppress the inflammation process, antibiotics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed, often in tablet form. If the disease occurs in an acute form, then intra-articular injections of strong anti-inflammatory medications are also prescribed. In order to relieve excruciating pain, the patient is prescribed painkillers. A popular and effective drug in this regard is Colchicine. Chondroprotectors are prescribed to slow down joint deformation. Ointments, gels, and creams used in treatment increase the chances of rapid relief of an exacerbation several times.

    If serous acute arthritis is present, then the affected area of ​​the body should be at rest. This will avoid the occurrence of dislocations or contractures. In some situations (for this disease of the legs), traction can be used, which will slightly relieve the pain in the joint. If it is not possible to stretch the limb, then splints or fixing bandages can be used. With their help, the tension in the joint is slightly relieved, and the pain becomes less severe. This treatment cannot be used for very long, otherwise ankylosis may occur.

    In the case of purulent acute arthritis, it is also necessary to remove pus from the joint.

    As a rule, doctors perform puncture and aspiration of the joint. After these manipulations, antibiotics and painkillers are used.

    An important point is that during an exacerbation of the disease, massage, warming ointments or compresses should never be used for treatment. This will only contribute to the development of the inflammatory process.

    What is acute arthritis? Its symptoms and treatment

    Acute arthritis is one of the forms of arthritis (inflammatory joint disease). It occurs in absolutely all types of the disease. Regardless of location (ankle, knee, elbow, hip, shoulder joint, hands or foot), it is characterized by constant severe pain in the affected joints. It can be serous, serous-fibrous, purulent. Although there are cases when an attack of acute arthritis goes away on its own. The vast majority of exacerbations need to be diagnosed promptly and fully treated. The disease has characteristic, strongly expressed symptoms and will not go unnoticed even at an early stage, when treatment will bring the greatest benefit.

    The occurrence of primary acute arthritis can be triggered by several factors:

  • Heredity. If close relatives suffer from any type of arthritis, the possibility of developing an acute form of it increases significantly, since problems with joints are already inherent at the genetic level.
  • Metabolic imbalance. The complete elimination of urinary salt breakdown substances ceases; they begin to be deposited intensively in the joints, causing interruptions in nutrition and blood supply and provoking inflammation.
  • Accompanying illnesses. A fairly large number of infectious and autoimmune diseases can give rise to the onset of the disease.
  • Bad habits. Smoking and alcohol abuse are the surest ways to get acute inflammation of the joints.
  • Excess weight. Excess body weight negatively affects all joints, but the legs suffer the most. The threat to the hip, knee, ankle and foot increases manifold.
  • Poor nutrition. Overeating and the predominance of foods rich in substances in the menu that promote the deposition of salt deposits (purines) in joint tissues are one of the most common catalysts for acute arthritis.
  • Professional activity. If work involves regular exposure to an unfavorable environment (high humidity, hypothermia) or excessive physical activity, then almost all joints are at risk, and this is especially true for the shoulder, elbow, and hands.
  • Strength sports. Constant excessive stress on the arms and legs can cause gradual deformation and destruction of the cartilage tissue of the joints, followed by an acute inflammatory process.
  • A stressful situation or severe nervous tension is also one of the reasons that can cause an attack of acute arthritis. Most often, this is how acute arthritis of the hands begins.
  • Joint pain is the first sign of arthritis

    Symptoms of acute arthritis

    The following symptoms of this disease should be the reason for a visit to the clinic:

  • Sharp, constant pain in the joint that does not change depending on the time of day. In the acute form of monoarthritis, pain is observed in the area of ​​one joint: shoulder, elbow, hip, knee, ankle. If the disease has the form of acute polyarthritis, the pain affects the hands and joints of the feet.
  • The formation of a small swelling over the sore spot. In acute polyarthritis, the legs and hands may become completely swollen.
  • The skin over the sore joint becomes hot to the touch. Sometimes redness is possible.
  • Impossibility of normal functioning. If the shoulder joint is affected, the arm stops rising; elbow – bend; hands – all finger movements are extremely difficult; hip, knee, ankle, foot - any movement causes severe pain. The ability to move is practically lost.
  • Deterioration of the general condition of the body: fever, aching bones, headaches, nervousness, insomnia. These are indirect symptoms that can easily be confused with an infectious disease.
  • Diagnosis of joint arthritis

    If symptoms appear that indicate the onset of acute arthritis, you must immediately see a specialist, since treatment in the initial stage is much more effective than treatment of an advanced disease, when irreversible destruction of the joint has already occurred. The doctor will conduct an initial examination and survey to find out whether the symptoms correspond to the acute form of arthritis. If suspicions are confirmed, a set of additional studies is prescribed:

  • X-ray. The images allow you to see changes and deformities of the shoulder, elbow, hip, knee, ankle, arm or foot.
  • Blood analysis. The inflammatory process in the joints causes leukocytosis, which is easily detected during examination.
  • Rheumatoid test. Confirms degeneration of articular tissues and the presence of acute inflammation.
  • Puncture. A common diagnostic method when symptoms indicate acute inflammation of the shoulder, knee, elbow, ankle joint. In acute polyarthritis affecting the hands or feet, such a test is usually not prescribed.
  • Shock wave therapy treatment

    Treatment of acute arthritis is somewhat different than treatment of this disease in the chronic stage or remission. This is explained by acute inflammation, which makes some methods included in the complex treatment of arthritis of any etiology ineffective and contraindicated. Prohibited methods include:

  • Massage. In acute form, tactile influence on the affected area is contraindicated.
  • Physiotherapy. The main criterion for quickly overcoming the acute phase is complete rest and the absence of any physical stress on the sore joints.
  • Physiotherapy. Almost all procedures are based on a warming effect on the affected area, which will only worsen and complicate the course of the disease in acute inflammation.
  • The main factor influencing treatment is the form of acute arthritis: serous, serous-fibrous, purulent. The affected area also matters: ankle, knee, elbow joint, arms and foot. Complex treatment, prescribed individually, includes several options for the purpose of relieving inflammation, reducing or eliminating pain, and preventing the transformation of the disease into a more serious stage, accompanied by severe deformation of the joints:

  • Drug treatment.
  • Diet.
  • Surgical intervention.
  • Treatment with traditional medicine.
  • Use of antibiotics for arthritis

    Drug treatment

    Treatment of acute arthritis with medications has several directions:

  • Suppression of the inflammatory process. Antibiotics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed in tablet form or by injection. In severe cases, when there are symptoms of a purulent form of acute arthritis (most often of the ankle, knee, shoulder and elbow joints), intra-articular injections of powerful anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed. This type of disease is not typical for the hands and feet, except in cases where the legs are affected by thrombophlebitis.
  • Relieving severe pain. Painkillers are prescribed.
  • Prescription of chondoprotectors capable of slowing down deformation by restoring normal nutrition to the tissues of the knee, elbow, arms and other joints.
  • External means. Treatment with medical ointments, creams and gels that have local anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects increases the chances of quickly stopping an exacerbation. The use of warming agents in the area of ​​inflammation of the ankle, knee, elbow joint, hands and feet during an attack of acute arthritis is excluded.
  • A special diet helps in recovery from arthritis

    No drug treatment for acute arthritis will be effective unless you adhere to a strict diet during this period. It promotes enhanced removal of harmful compounds from the body and a decrease in the level of purines, which helps relieve acute inflammation in the joints and restore metabolic balance. Poor nutrition with consumption of large amounts of meat, preservatives, fats and strong drinks are the main causes of an attack of acute arthritis. As soon as the first symptoms of arthritis of the elbow joint and other joints appear, it is necessary to formulate your diet strictly in accordance with the recommendations of doctors:

  • Complete ban on alcohol, carbonated drinks, strong coffee, cocoa.
  • Exclusion of fried foods, meat, fish, broths.
  • Exclusion of canned foods, semi-finished products, offal, smoked meats, and sausages.
  • Refusal of cheeses, fatty dairy products, animal fats.
  • Elimination of all legumes.
  • Exclusion of sorrel, cabbage, celery, rhubarb, mushrooms.
  • Excluding grapes and raspberries.
  • Introducing fresh fruits and vegetables into the menu in large quantities.
  • Cooking first courses only with water and vegetables.
  • Use only vegetable oils: sunflower, flaxseed, sesame.
  • Drinking fruit and vegetable juices, rosehip decoctions, herbal and leaf infusions, bringing the total amount of liquid to 2 - 2.5 liters per day.
  • Surgical intervention

    Acute arthritis in a purulent form (regardless of the cause of its appearance) must be treated only with the use of surgical intervention in the first place. This is especially true when the knee, ankle, or elbow joints are affected. This technique is used much less frequently in the treatment of hands. To prevent destruction of the membranes of joint tissue, as well as to exclude possible damage to the entire body, purulent deposits accumulated in the articular cavity are pumped out using local surgery. After removing the purulent substance, injections of antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs are administered into the joint.

    Surgery for arthritis

    Due to the fact that such an operation in the area of ​​the elbow, knee, (very rarely hands) and other joints is a serious procedure, it is performed only during inpatient treatment. For acute arthritis of the lower extremities (hip, knee, ankle), hospitalization is the best option for treatment. Diseases of the upper parts (shoulder, elbow and arms) usually do not require such measures and are limited to outpatient treatment with rest.

    Treatment with traditional medicine

    Many diseases can be treated using folk remedies in addition to traditional drug treatment. Acute arthritis responds well to such therapy. The main condition is not to use warming agents during an attack of acute arthritis: ointments, compresses, hot baths. During this period, all efforts are aimed at reducing severe inflammation in the joints and reducing the pain component. You can use some recipes that can help in the treatment of acute arthritis:

  • Decoction of lingonberry leaves. Approximately 2 tbsp. spoons of dry leaves pour a glass (200 ml) of boiling water and boil, after boiling, over low heat for 15 minutes. Let cool at room temperature, strain. Drink within an hour. Regular use of this decoction helps reduce inflammation and remove excess uric acid salts from the body.
  • Decoction of corn silks. Approximately 2 teaspoons of dry crushed extract are poured into a glass (200 ml) of boiling water, brought to a boil over low heat, and boiled for 5 minutes. Strain the cooled broth. Take a tablespoon 20-30 minutes before meals at least three times. Promotes the removal of urates and reduces the inflammatory process.
  • Alcohol tincture of burdock roots. Wash the freshly dug roots, dry them, and chop them into centimeter pieces. Fill a glass container (jar) with the raw materials, add vodka (the liquid level should cover the root layer by 3 cm). Infuse in a cool, dark place for 3 weeks, shaking occasionally to infuse the contents evenly. Take a teaspoon half an hour before meals. Has anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. Minimum doses of intake will not have a negative effect associated with the presence of an alcohol-containing base in the composition.
  • Compliance with all recommendations and implementation of individual complex treatment prescribed by a doctor, together with a healthy lifestyle, will help overcome even such a serious disease as acute arthritis.

    Acute infectious arthritis

    What is Acute Infectious Arthritis?

    Acute infectious arthritis (septic, purulent) - damage to the joint caused by direct entry of microorganisms into its cavity from any primary lesions or from an open injury (puncture) of the joint. The etiological factors can be a variety of microbes, but in the first place are staphylococcal (Staphylococcus epidermidis et aureus), streptococcal (hemolytic streptococcus group A, viridans streptococcus) infection and gram-negative microbes (Escherichia coli, Proteus vulgaris, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas pseudomallei, Aeromonas hydrofhila) . Infectious arthritis can sometimes be caused by direct invasion of the joint by microorganisms such as Shigella, Salmonella, and Yersinia.

    What provokes / Causes of Acute infectious arthritis:

    Acute infectious arthritis can occur against the background of furunculosis, peritonsillar abscess, tonsillitis, scarlet fever, inflammation of the middle ear, pneumonia, infective endocarditis, with infected wounds of any location, after cystoscopy, operations on the abdominal organs and genitourinary system, etc. Sometimes the primary lesion cannot be identified. succeeds. The elderly, people weakened by such general diseases as blood diseases, malignant tumors, PA, SLE, especially if they were on long-term corticosteroid or immunosuppressive therapy, as well as premature infants and alcoholics are predisposed to the development of infectious arthritis.

    As can be seen from the above, in all these cases we are talking about the development of primary or secondary immunodeficiency.

    Symptoms of Acute infectious arthritis:

    In most cases, one or two joints are affected. Arthritis begins acutely with severe pain, swelling of the joint, hyperemia and hyperthermia, only sometimes these phenomena are preceded by migrating polyarthralgia for several days. Simultaneously with the development of articular syndrome, hectic fever, chills, and heavy sweats are observed. Leukocytosis with a pronounced shift of the leukocyte formula to the left, an increase in ESR and other indicators of inflammatory activity are detected in the blood. In elderly and extremely weakened patients, arthritis can begin gradually, manifesting itself with moderate general and local signs of inflammation and acquiring a chronic course. The most commonly affected joints are the knee and hip joints (usually in children), as well as the shoulder, elbow, wrist, ankle joints, spine and iliosacral joints.

    When examining the synovial fluid, high cytosis is detected (20·109/ml) with a predominance (up to 90%) of neutrophils. The liquid is cloudy, its viscosity is reduced, the mucin clot is loose, disintegrating, microorganisms are found in it. At the earliest stages of the disease, the synovial fluid is sometimes not purulent in nature, and repeated aspirations are required to obtain informative results.

    Diagnosis of Acute infectious arthritis:

    X-rays reveal epiphyseal osteoporosis, narrowing of the joint space very early, and with inadequate treatment, such a characteristic symptom of infectious arthritis as the rapid development under the influence of proteolytic enzymes of pus, destructive changes not only in the cartilage, but also in the bone skeleton of the joint. The outcome of the disease can be secondary deforming osteoarthritis, which progresses over the years, or bone ankylosis of the affected joint.

    Diagnosis of the disease can be untimely, since in the early stages of acute purulent arthritis it is mistaken for traumatic arthritis, an attack of gout, rheumatism, RA, etc. It is important to take into account the presence of chills, temperature ranges, the wrong type of fever, and leukocytosis. It is necessary to strive for etiological diagnosis of the process. A tentative diagnosis can be made by viewing Gram-stained smears of synovial fluid, and a definitive diagnosis can be made by isolating a culture of the microorganism from the blood or synovial effusion.

    Treatment of Acute Infectious Arthritis:

    It is necessary to immobilize the limb in extension for a short period of time (1-2 weeks); When the patient’s condition improves, they begin to actively develop movements in the joint.

    The basis of therapy is antibiotics, which should be prescribed whenever possible, taking into account the sensitivity of the microbial flora to them. For streptococcal and staphylococcal infections, penicillin is used at a dose of 250,000 units/(kg·day), on average for adults 12,000,000-20,000,000 units intravenously, dividing the dose into 4 administrations. The duration of therapy varies from person to person - 3-6 weeks. Broad-spectrum antibiotics can also be used, for example, ceporin 60-100 mg/(kg·day) in 2-3 doses.

    For gram-negative intestinal flora, gentamicin is indicated at a dose of 3 mg/(kg day), divided into 3 doses. Treatment is carried out for 2-3 weeks, replacing gentamicin with ampicillin (6-10 g/day in 4-6 doses) or zeporin.

    Daily drainage of the joint is indicated: aspiration of pus through a wide needle and intra-articular administration of antibiotics. Drainage of the joint is carried out until the synovial fluid becomes clear.

    A positive result of such conservative therapy in most cases should be obtained by the end of the first week, but active therapy should continue until complete cure. In cases where the microorganism that caused the development of arthritis is resistant to antibiotics, sanitation of the joint is difficult, if after 2-3 weeks of therapy there is no persistent improvement and the risk of developing destructive changes in the joint increases, surgical drainage is resorted to. The latter is especially indicated in children with damage to the hip joints. When destruction of the joint occurs, it is necessary to surgically remove necrotic fragments and foci of infection in the soft periarticular tissues. All patients with infectious arthritis are subject to observation and treatment by orthopedic surgeons.

    Which doctors should you contact if you have Acute infectious arthritis:

    Is something bothering you? Do you want to know more detailed information about Acute infectious arthritis, its causes, symptoms, methods of treatment and prevention, the course of the disease and diet after it? Or do you need an inspection? You can make an appointment with a doctor - the Euro lab is always at your service! The best doctors will examine you, study external signs and help you identify the disease by symptoms, advise you and provide the necessary assistance and make a diagnosis. You can also call a doctor at home . Euro lab clinic is open for you around the clock.

    Phone number of our clinic in Kyiv: (+38 044) 206-20-00 (multi-channel). The clinic secretary will select a convenient day and time for you to visit the doctor. Our location and directions are listed here. Look in more detail about all the clinic’s services on its personal page.

    If you have previously performed any tests, be sure to take their results to a consultation with your doctor. If the studies have not been performed, we will do everything necessary in our clinic or with our colleagues in other clinics.

    You ? It is necessary to take a very careful approach to your overall health. People do not pay enough attention to the symptoms of diseases and do not realize that these diseases can be life-threatening. There are many diseases that at first do not manifest themselves in our body, but in the end it turns out that, unfortunately, it is too late to treat them. Each disease has its own specific signs, characteristic external manifestations - the so-called symptoms of the disease . Identifying symptoms is the first step in diagnosing diseases in general. be examined by a doctor several times a year in order not only to prevent a terrible disease, but also to maintain a healthy spirit in the body and the organism as a whole.

    If you want to ask a doctor a question, use the online consultation section, perhaps you will find answers to your questions there and read tips on caring for yourself . If you are interested in reviews about clinics and doctors, try to find the information you need in the All Medicine section. Also register on the Eurolab medical to be constantly aware of the latest news and information updates on the site, which will be automatically sent to you by email.

    Gouty arthritis: treatment, causes and symptoms of the disease, diagnosis, diet

    Gout is a chronic disease associated with impaired metabolism of uric acid and its salts. The pathology mainly affects the joints, also affecting the condition of the renal parenchyma. The settling of crystals of uric acid salts in the joints causes gouty arthritis, with a clear specific clinical picture, a persistent course and a number of complications leading to a disabling condition. Most often, gouty arthritis affects men 40-50 years old, women less often, and those in menopause.

    How does gouty arthritis occur and develop?

    It is important to know! Doctors are shocked: “An effective and affordable remedy for ARTHRITIS exists. " Read more.

    Gout itself can develop primarily when the cause is heredity and an increased content of purine bases in food (purines contribute to the formation and deposition of salts in the joints), usually this is an excess of meat in the diet.

    Secondary gout can be a consequence of hyperuricemia in certain pathological conditions: tumors, heart failure, kidney disease, hematological malignancies, other metabolic disorders, hormonal imbalance, long-term use of diuretics and cytostatics.

    Gouty arthritis develops in the following way:

  • Impaired metabolism of uric acid leads to an increase in its concentration in the blood.
  • Crystallizing uric acid salts are deposited on hyaline articular cartilage.
  • Salts damage the elements of the joint, which causes an inflammatory process.
  • Inflammation leads to destruction of joint structures.
  • Tumor-like formations begin to grow near the joints.
  • In parallel with arthritis, urolithiasis develops, as salts are deposited in the renal pelvis and ureters.

    As a rule, gouty arthritis appears in the small joints of the extremities, usually the legs, starting with the big toe; less often, gouty phenomena are observed in the fingers, knee, ankle joints, elbow and wrist joints. Damage to several groups of joints at the same time is gouty polyarthritis.

    Gout is often called age-related arthrosis, although these two joint diseases have different clinics and, accordingly, treatment. Severe gout occurs, affecting several large joints with destruction at once, which leads the patient to severe disability, as does long-term gouty arthritis.

    Causes of gouty arthritis

    There is no clear causative factor causing the disease, but there are a number of provoking phenomena:

  • Heredity;
  • A diet heavy with meat products, chocolate, coffee, alcohol;
  • Obesity;
  • Concomitant pathologies of the kidneys, heart, blood system, hormonal imbalance;
  • Long-term use of certain drugs.
  • For more information about the causes and symptoms of this disease, watch the video:

    Urate crystals can accumulate in the joints for quite a long time, without giving any symptoms until an acute attack of gout is provoked by increased physical activity, injury, infection, hypothermia and other factors.

    Symptoms of gouty arthritis

    The clinic consists of three periods:

  • Hidden.
  • Acute recurrent.
  • Chronic recurrent.
  • There are no obvious symptoms, tests show an increased concentration of urates in the blood.

    Characterized by a typical picture of gouty arthritis, on the basis of which a diagnosis can be made:

    • The onset of the attack is sudden, acute, usually at night.
    • Sharp intense pain in the joint of the big toe - most often this is where the clinical picture of gouty arthritis begins; if the limb is lowered, the pain intensifies.
    • Mobility in the joint is limited due to severe pain, the joint segment swells and becomes very red.
    • Increase in body temperature to 38-39 0 C.
    • The attack lasts for about 4-5 days, after which it subsides and the joint regains its normal appearance and begins to function fully.
    • Remissions between attacks of gout may increase; an attack of gouty arthritis may occur once a week or a month, or maybe 1-2 times a year or less. Attacks become more severe, systemic manifestations of gout are noticeable, such as periodic chills, fever, fatigue, and malaise. Gout spreads to surrounding tissues, joint capsule, and other joints. Specific whitish gouty nodules form in the joint area - tophi. In patients taking diuretics, tophi may appear before signs of arthritis develop. Occasionally, the skin over the tophi ulcerates, releasing the contents. Gradually, the chronic process leads to stiffness of the joints, and symptoms of crunching and stiffness during movements are noted. Joint deformity becomes noticeable, periods of remission begin to decrease.

      The symptoms of gout in women are less pronounced than in men; for this reason, gouty arthritis in women is easily confused with arthrosis. Hands and phalangeal joints of the fingers affected by gout often give a similar clinical picture to rheumatoid arthritis and polyarthrosis.

      The listed symptoms relate to the classic course of gouty arthritis, but it is also worth considering atypical forms of gout:

    • Subacute, when the symptoms are erased, is usually characteristic of women.
    • Rheumatoid form, with damage to small joints of the hands.
    • Pseudophlegmonous form, characterized by the localization of inflammation in one joint, with noticeable symptoms of periarthritis, synovitis of the type of purulent inflammation with deterioration of the general condition.
    • Read more about the symptoms and treatment of gout in this program:

      Even “advanced” ARTHRITIS can be cured at home! Just remember to apply this once a day.

      Diagnosis of gouty arthritis

      The disease is diagnosed based on medical history, laboratory tests and x-rays.

    • Blood diagnostics: gout is marked by an increased ESR, an increase in the number of neutrophils, an increased content of alpha-2-globulin and fibrinogen, and the presence of C-reactive protein. These signs accompany acute gouty arthritis and disappear when the attack subsides. The concentration of uric acid in the blood increases - over 0.42 mmol/l in men and over 0.36 mol/l in women. However, hyperuricemia is not an indicator of gout; it only indicates disturbances in purine metabolism.
    • Diagnostics of synovial fluid: it is taken from any joint, not necessarily inflamed, most often the knee. The presence of urate crystals in synovial joint fluid is considered a key marker of gout.
    • The history of gouty arthritis takes into account painful attacks with a sudden onset, the presence of tophi in the periarticular area, which facilitates diagnosis.
    • X-rays show changes in the joint and bones during a long course of the disease; in the first stages of gout they do not occur. The image shows the rounded ends of the epiphyses with the presence of a sclerotic border. The cortical layer of the bone has cyst-like defects. The shadow of the soft tissues of the joint is expanded due to salt deposits. On the x-ray you can also notice “punches” - cavities in the destroyed joint filled with uric acid salts.
    • Gouty polyarthritis must be differentiated from arthritis and arthrosis of other etiologies. Age-related arthrosis most often affects large joints of the limbs - knee, elbow and others.

      Treatment of gouty arthritis

      Therapy boils down to increasing remission between gout attacks, stopping the attack of arthritis, stabilizing purine metabolism and returning the joints to full functioning. Treatment is carried out by a therapist, a rheumatologist, and as the acute phenomena subside, a rehabilitation specialist and a physiotherapist are added.

      Treatment of the disease is complex and long-term, carried out in two stages - relief of an acute attack and maintenance therapy during periods of remission. Treatment methods include medication, diet, and elimination of the causes of uric acid metabolism disorders.

      During periods of exacerbation the following are prescribed:

      1. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Most often these are Indomethacin, Naproxen, Movalis, Ibuprofen, Revmoxicam. A stepwise treatment with these drugs is recommended: first in the form of injections, with further replacement with tablets.
      2. NSAIDs are also prescribed locally, like ointments - Dolobene, Indomethacin, Remisid and Deep-relief. NSAID ointment is applied to the affected area and relieves inflammation.
      3. Taking Colchicine, a specific drug prescribed for the treatment of gout and relieving inflammation.
      4. Glucocorticosteroids. Prescribed in case of low effectiveness of NSAIDs and Colchicine, for a short course. The most commonly used are methylprednisolone and betamethasone.
      5. Local compresses with a semi-alcohol solution or 25% dimexide.
      6. Basic therapy for gout includes the following drugs:

      7. Allopurinol, or, as an analogue, Purinol, Zilorik, Allupol, Remid, Milurit. These are drugs that reduce the synthesis of uric acid and its salts. Allopurinol is the drug of choice for the treatment of gout. Prescribed for high levels of uric acid salts in the blood, frequent attacks of arthritis, existing tophi and renal pathologies. Treatment with these drugs reduces the severity of attacks, softens tophi nodules, and normalizes the level of urate in the blood. Treatment is started with 300 mg per day; if there is little effectiveness, 400-600 mg per day can be prescribed; as results are obtained, the dosage is reduced to a maintenance dose of 100-300 mg per day.
      8. Probenecid. Stimulates the excretion of excess amounts of urate salt crystals in the urine, thereby reducing the severity of gout attacks. Analogs are Sulfinpyrazone, Etebenecid, Nofibal, Allomaron, Anturan. This group of drugs is not used for high uricemia, kidney pathologies, and gastrointestinal ulcers. The therapeutic dose of Sulfinpyrazone is 200-400 mg per day, usually in two doses, Probenecid - 1.5-2 g per day.
      9. Uricozyme. The drug destroys already deposited salt crystals. This group also includes Uralit, Blemaren, Magurlit.
      10. Medications can be combined with each other, taking into account compatibility and contraindications. Also, when treating gout with medications, it is necessary to increase water consumption to 2.5-3 liters per day.

        Drug treatment of gout outside periods of exacerbation can be supplemented with physiotherapy: thermal procedures, laser, massage, exercise therapy.

        Diet for gouty arthritis

        Metabolic disorders in gout are associated with poor nutrition. Therefore, it is impossible to treat gout and gouty arthritis without following the principles of nutrition. The diet should exclude foods high in purines; often this factor already reduces the severity of arthritis. Patients are recommended diet No. 6 for gout. It excludes fatty meat and fish, broths from them, seafood, meat by-products, sausages, salted and spicy cheeses, canned food, smoked meats, spicy dishes, cakes and pastries, pastries, legumes, some types of greens - spinach, sorrel , salad, from vegetables - rhubarb, cauliflower, asparagus, radishes, from berries and fruits - grapes, figs and raspberries; coffee, strong tea, and alcohol are prohibited from drinks. Hot spices and salt are also removed.

        Foods recommended for gout include: bread, vegetables, cereals, milk soups, grain porridges (except oatmeal), boiled chicken, rabbit, beef, lean fish (no more than 3 times a week), milk and fermented milk products, cereals, pasta, vegetables - carrots, cucumbers, beets, zucchini, eggplant, pumpkin, tomatoes, white cabbage, any fruits and berries, except prohibited ones, nuts, vegetable oil. For sweets, jam, marshmallows, and honey are allowed, and for spices, cinnamon. Recommended drinks: juices, fruit drinks, green and any herbal tea, as well as alkaline mineral water. As such, you can drink water to which soda has been added. During periods of remission, you can drink wine in small quantities.

        During acute periods of gout, the menu remains mainly vegetables, fruits, vegetable and cereal soups, and dairy products.

        Traditional recipes for the treatment of gouty arthritis

        Therapy with traditional methods is aimed at relieving symptoms; it is used only in combination with a prescribed course of medications and under the supervision of specialists. Recipes include preparing and drinking infusions of medicinal plants at home, for example:

      11. Boil 10 hot pepper pods in 300 ml of water for about 10 minutes over low heat. Leave the resulting broth for 5 hours, strain, mix with the same amount of honey. Take a teaspoon orally twice a day.
      12. Pour a glass of boiling water over crushed celandine (a tablespoon) and leave in a warm place for one hour. Strain, drink the infusion a couple of tablespoons no more than three times a day.
      13. Mix dried pansy herb in an amount of 20 grams with a glass of water and simmer in a water bath for 15 minutes. Leave for 45 minutes. Strain, then dilute with boiled water to an amount of 200 ml. Drink the infusion 3 times a day, one tablespoon.
      14. You can make compresses on the affected joint at home - with onion decoction, drink a decoction of the string, iodine rubs and baths, sage baths, a compress of crushed flax seeds and activated carbon tablets also reduce pain.

        The prognosis for gouty arthritis is relatively good, provided that all medical recommendations are followed, then the performance of the joint remains at an acceptable level. In case of renal failure, the prognosis is unfavorable.

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        To prevent the development of gouty arthritis, doctors give recommendations to normalize diet, reduce excess weight, and give up alcohol.

        How to forget about joint pain and arthritis?

      15. Joint pain limits your movements and full life...
      16. You are worried about discomfort, crunching and systematic pain...
      17. You may have tried a bunch of medications, creams and ointments...
      18. But judging by the fact that you are reading these lines, they did not help you much...
      19. But orthopedist Valentin Dikul claims that a truly effective remedy for ARTHRITIS exists! Read more >>>

        If you want to get the same treatment, ask us how?

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