Osteoarthritis is increasingly occurring in fairly young people (20-25 years old). Experts blame poor ecology and an inappropriate lifestyle for the increased development of the disease.
It is important to know! Doctors are shocked: “An effective and affordable remedy for joint pain exists. " Read more.
A large number of people do not attach any importance to the primary symptoms that directly indicate the onset of arthrosis, and do not even think about visiting a doctor. This is a big omission, because such a disease without treatment can lead to loss of ability to work and even disability.
But often the reason is not laziness, but a simple lack of information about which doctor treats joints. Treatment of joints is carried out by specialists of several categories: in each specific situation of the development of the disease, a doctor is required who deals with the treatment of specific pathologies.
Immediate consultation with a doctor requires the presence of certain symptoms:
Joint diseases have two types of development:
It is by the etiology and mechanism of the lesion that they determine which doctor should be consulted.
This is a therapeutic doctor who works exclusively with the initial stages of diseases against the background of viral infections. If you notice mild pain in the joints or increased fatigue due to stress, you should consult a rheumatologist. The specialist will prescribe all the necessary studies after he finds out the causes of pain in the joints of the arms and legs:
It is important to determine the presence or absence of viruses in the body. After all diagnostic measures have been carried out, the doctor will make an accurate diagnosis and give recommendations for further treatment. Treatment by a rheumatologist is only conservative, using intra-articular injections, physiotherapy, massage or exercise therapy. In more complicated stages of the disease, he will refer you to the right specialist.
Even “advanced” joint problems can be cured at home! Just remember to apply this once a day.
When treatment with conservative methods does not bring results, the disease takes on a more complex form, then you need to contact an orthopedic traumatologist. The doctor deals with surgical methods to restore joint function. The main symptoms for contacting this specialist:
An orthopedic traumatologist performs several types of surgical interventions:
Most often, prosthetics are performed on the knee and hip joints. The goal is to restore normal life and avoid disability.
Naturally, few people with joint pain will consult a neurologist, but the role of this specialist is quite large in the treatment of pain, including pain in the joints of the arms, legs and fingers. There is a possibility of neurological causes for the development of the disease - this is a pinched nerve in the spine or an inflammatory process of the nerve ending. It is with such lesions that a neurologist will help fight.
A doctor of this profile can help with arthritis associated with metabolic disorders: many diseases appear due to stress and poor nutrition. Due to impaired metabolism, there is an active accumulation of salts on the joints, which quickly lose elasticity and are at risk of impaired functionality. An endocrinologist will help restore metabolic processes in the body and prevent the development of arthritis .
To determine which doctor treats spinal joints, you need to know some features.
Osteochondrosis is a pathological change in the spine. The development of the disease has two factors:
Therefore, doctors of two specialties treat the disease:
When spinal lesions require surgical interventions, this task falls on the shoulders of neurosurgeons.
Some joint diseases, their types, symptoms, which doctor treats:
For the treatment and prevention of DISEASES OF THE JOINTS and SPINE, our readers use the method of quick and non-surgical treatment recommended by leading rheumatologists in Russia, who decided to speak out against pharmaceutical lawlessness and presented a medicine that REALLY TREATS! We have become familiar with this technique and decided to bring it to your attention. Read more.
If you have the slightest suspicion of these diseases, consult a doctor immediately!
That's all for today, dear readers; Share your opinion about the article in the comments.
But orthopedist Valentin Dikul claims that a truly effective remedy for joint pain exists! Read more >>>
If you want to get the same treatment, ask us how?
It is very important to know which doctor treats joints. This is true for many, because joint pain is a common occurrence. For some people it appears periodically, for others it bothers them constantly. According to statistics, about thirty percent of people suffer from such pain of various types. Elderly people are especially often affected. But recently there has been a tendency towards “rejuvenation” of joint diseases. Young people under forty are increasingly complaining of joint pain, especially those who play sports.
In medicine, joint pain is called “arthralgia.” Arthralgia can be either symptomatic or an independent disease. Which doctors you see depends on the underlying cause of the pain.
Arthralgia is an important symptom of many diseases caused by irreversible biochemical and autoimmune processes in the joint tissue. Sometimes arthralgia is medicinal or meteopathic. Arthralgia caused by autoimmune and biochemical disorders usually indicates the onset of arthritis. Pain occurs when the neuroreceptors in the joint are irritated. They penetrate the entire articular surface. Irritation can be caused by internal hematomas and bruises of the legs and arms, which are not externally noticeable.
There are a number of diseases, the first symptom of which is arthralgia of various types. If your joints hurt periodically, you shouldn’t ignore it. Joints are the most mobile structure of the human body, thanks to them we can make various movements of the arms, legs, and fingers. It is important to consult a doctor in time to diagnose the cause of arthralgia as early as possible and begin treatment. Problems of this nature are usually dealt with by a surgeon or rheumatologist, less often by other specialists.
The main diseases of the musculoskeletal system that cause pain in the joints:
All these leg diseases lead to joint pain of varying intensity. The knee joints are most often affected; they bear the main load when walking and flexion-extension movements of the legs. If the joints are not treated, there may be deformation and limited mobility.
In some cases, it is necessary to contact several doctors at once for diagnostic tests and therapy.
Bechterew's disease Marie is a chronic arthritis in the spine. Intervertebral, sacroiliac, costovertebral joints are affected. An inflammatory process occurs, during which osseous fibrous tissue is formed inside the joint with the deposition of salts and trace elements on it. May lead to severe restrictions in joint movement. Symptoms of Marie's ankylosing spondylitis: constant nagging pain in the lumbar region, buttocks, sacrum and muscle stiffness. The chest hurts, especially when coughing or deep breathing, there is sweating, and there is an increased body temperature.
Osteoarthritis occurs if metabolic processes in cartilage, bone and joint tissues, synovial membranes and ligaments are disrupted. Gradually they are destroyed, leading to serious limitation of movements in the limbs. Mainly the joints of the legs are affected: knee, hip, ankle. Signs of osteoarthritis: pain in the legs and arms during exercise, night aching pain, swelling and hyperthermia of the affected area, formation of dense nodules in the interphalangeal joints.
Reactive arthritis is an acute inflammatory process that occurs after infectious diseases (influenza, ARVI, genitourinary, intestinal, etc.). There are acute pains that increase with exertion, swelling, redness of the skin in the area of inflammation, and fluctuating temperatures. There may be conjunctivitis, myocardia, arrhythmia, central nervous system pathologies, kidney disorders, nail and skin diseases.
In rheumatoid arthritis, the knee and elbow joints are rarely affected. Most often the hand and foot hurt. It manifests itself as constant pain, joints become deformed, swell, and become stiff. A person develops general weakness, weight decreases, body temperature rises, and damage to internal organs and the gastrointestinal tract is observed.
Psoriatic arthritis develops against the background of psoriasis. Symptoms: acute pain, changes in pigmentation of the skin over the affected joint, swelling, lower back pain. This type of arthritis affects the toes, feet, and, less commonly, the knee joints.
If your joint hurts, you should consult a doctor as soon as possible. Under no circumstances should you treat yourself. First of all, you need to determine the type of disease. Which doctor should you consult for joint pain? As a rule, referrals for diagnostic examinations are given by a general practitioner. The therapist is the doctor who conducts the first examination of the patient and, based on existing complaints and external symptoms, sends him for diagnosis.
Diagnostics includes various techniques, the main of which are:
Joint pain when walking and at rest is a very unpleasant pathological symptom that requires consultation with a doctor. Both large (hip and knee, shoulder and elbow, ankle) and small joints (interphalangeal, metacarpophalangeal) can be subject to all kinds of lesions.
Discomfort due to damage to small joints often occurs after bending the arms or fingers. In severe cases, discomfort occurs in several areas, which indicates damage to the articular complex.
Which doctor should you consult if you have severe pain in the large and small joints of your arms and legs? The choice of a physician who can conduct a competent diagnostic examination and select the optimal therapeutic course for the treatment of pain in the fingers, knees, back and feet depends on the nature of the functional lesion.
Patients with severe discomfort when raising their knees and other large joints of the body visit specialists with a therapeutic profile. A rheumatologist performs primary diagnostics and prescribes treatment against inflammatory and degenerative lesions of articular and connective tissue.
The specialist prescribes the necessary laboratory and instrumental examinations to identify the affected areas, can determine the stage of the disease and provide adequate assistance.
During therapy, the rheumatologist uses mainly conservative methods, including prescribing:
When fighting tumors and other pathological conditions, the doctor may involve specialists from other medical fields. In particular, physiotherapists and chiropractors, physical therapy instructors and massage therapists, arthroscopists and surgeons can increase the effectiveness of treatment.
An arthrologist is a highly specialized medical specialist who helps to cope with the manifestations of arthrosis. The doctor performs various surgical operations to eliminate joint disorders.
The help of an orthopedist is required for patients with significant limitation of the mobility of limbs and other parts of the body. The orthopedist offers a series of conservative techniques, and also performs organ-preserving and endoprosthetic operations to restore lost motor functions.
Why does severe discomfort occur in the area of the right and left joints? Among the typical reasons why joints hurt more, experienced doctors name:
The list of alarming symptoms that require a patient to immediately make an appointment with a rheumatologist includes:
What to do if your right and left knee, shoulder, hip, elbow joints hurt? You can eliminate discomfort and avoid relapse with the help of an experienced doctor. After collecting anamnesis and conducting a preliminary examination, the physician can:
How to treat hip, shoulder and elbow joints at home? For pain in the right and left joints, patients are recommended to use compresses and creams from:
The information is provided for informational purposes only. Treatment of joint pain must be carried out according to the doctor’s recommendations.
People complain of pain in their legs regardless of age, gender, or social status. The nature of the pain differs in a particular case. Having felt pain in the legs, patients seek help in the surgical office, believing that the pain in the legs is treated by a surgeon.
Pain in the lower extremities, in addition to surgeons, is treated by dermatologists, neurologists, traumatologists - orthopedists, and therapists.
Which doctor should I contact?
If your legs hurt, start by visiting your primary care physician. He will conduct an initial examination and prescribe the necessary laboratory and clinical examination. Based on the results of the preliminary examination, the therapist will recommend seeing a doctor who will prescribe the correct treatment.
You should be treated by a therapist for the following complaints: stiffness in the morning, deformed feet, pain in the feet and knee joints of both legs, weakness, swelling of the legs, cramps, burning sensation.
Treatment is carried out comprehensively, together with a number of specialists. Anti-inflammatory drugs, joint nourishing agents, physiotherapeutic treatment, physical therapy are prescribed
Here is a list of doctors who treat leg pain and a description of which one to contact and in which case.
Treats leg diseases requiring surgical intervention. These are injuries and their consequences, inflammatory processes in the muscles and osteoarticular system, tissue necrosis, systemic diseases, which can be treated simultaneously by both therapists and neurologists.
Contact a surgeon if you have local pain in the foot, knee, or hip joints. They hurt, turn red, and swell.
The reason to consult a surgeon is a local inflammatory process in the soft tissues of the legs, the presence of ulcers on the legs and feet, especially with purulent discharge, ingrown nails and purulent processes in the foot.
The surgeon will prescribe the necessary laboratory and clinical tests and, if necessary, perform surgery.
A vascular surgeon or angiosurgeon is a highly specialized clinical specialist in vascular diseases, their diagnosis, treatment methods (both surgical and conservative), methods of primary and secondary prevention.
A vascular surgeon examines blood and lymphatic vessels, their anatomical features, normal and pathological physiology, diagnostics and methods of therapy.
People turn to it for heaviness in the foot area, increased fatigue, if spider veins or capillary mesh appear on the skin of the legs. There is a burning or tingling sensation in the toes. The skin turns red and thickens. The venous pattern on the dorsum of the foot and legs is significantly enhanced. Pain and cramps appear in the calf muscles.
The skin of the lower extremities becomes cold to the touch and loses sensitivity. The calves hurt severely when walking, and intermittent claudication appears.
In severe cases, varicose veins and inflammation of the superficial and deep veins, and trophic weeping ulcers develop. The toes turn black and gangrene of the foot develops.
In such cases, intensive conservative therapy with vascular drugs and antibiotics is prescribed, and surgical intervention is performed according to indications.
Deals with injuries and their consequences. The competence of a traumatologist includes flat feet, deforming arthrosis, and curvature of the spine.
Treatment methods range from foot massage and a complex of physical therapy to complex surgical interventions. The wearing of orthopedic shoes, special stockings, and insoles is prescribed. The method is chosen individually.
Cases of contacting an orthopedic traumatologist:
Specialist in the field of systemic connective tissue diseases of inflammatory origin. With such disorders, joints and connective tissue are damaged.
The development of the pathological process is caused by infections, most often sore throats. A predisposing factor is unfavorable heredity.
The competence of a rheumatologist includes inflammatory processes of the musculoskeletal system. These are hundreds of diseases that affect the joints of the lower extremities, muscles and connective tissue formations.
Contact a rheumatologist if symptoms occur:
Treatment is prescribed conservatively, with both non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and hormonal drugs.
He is a specialist in the field of diseases of the skin and its appendages, affecting several organs and systems, including the skin and subcutaneous tissue of the lower extremities.
You should go to a dermatologist if you are concerned about skin itching, redness of the skin, peeling, or rashes. Also the appearance of warts, rapidly growing age spots. Corns, dry calluses on the lower surface of the foot, pustules on the skin, the appearance of weeping between the toes.
If erysipelas occurs, it requires treatment by a vascular surgeon, dermatologist and infectious disease specialist.
Treatment can be both local (ointments, suspensions) and systemic - antibiotics, desensitizing, detoxifying drugs are prescribed.
Diagnoses and treats diseases of the central nervous system, spinal cord, spinal column and peripheral nerves.
The development of pathological processes in the spine causes intense pain, burning and numbness in the legs.
The reason to consult a neurologist is a sharp pain in the lumbar region, radiating to the back of the thigh, a burning sensation, pins and needles in the toes and feet, numbness of the foot.
Knowing about the activities of each doctor, you can first decide which doctor is best to contact.
Diseases often lie in wait for us where we do not expect them at all. Either a viral infection will develop, or an inflammatory process, or sometimes we will fall unluckily in icy conditions in winter. We can cope with some ailments ourselves, but more serious ones require the participation of a professional doctor with a narrow specialization.
Patients often visit several specialists even at the diagnostic stage, not to mention the treatment of pathology.
The most unpleasant thing is when your joints hurt. Mobility and muscle sensitivity are lost, and it becomes difficult to move. Among the causes, the most common are infections, inflammation, problems with the immune system, metabolic disorders, trauma, insufficient amounts of vitamins and microelements (calcium, magnesium).
People of different ages and occupations experience pain. A modern sedentary lifestyle, improperly organized nutrition, heavy loads, stress - all this negatively affects the motor function of bone joints.
It is impossible to immediately explain to a person which doctor to see. You must first know the exact diagnosis, the stage of development of the disease. We can only make approximate recommendations based on the patient's complaints.
The most common joint diseases are arthritis and osteoarthritis. The first is characterized by pain due to inflammation, and the other by degenerative changes. Viruses and microorganisms provoke the development of rheumatoid arthritis.
The point is not even that it is difficult to choose who to go to - a therapist or a traumatologist. There are simply very few highly specialized doctors, for example, arthrologists, neurosurgeons; there are several dozen of them throughout the country. And sometimes there are no appointments at all, or you have to make an appointment 2-3 months in advance.
Important! The first step, of course, is to go to a therapist, who will tell you who to contact or write out a referral to a rheumatologist, orthopedist, neurologist, or osteopath.
If the disease is in the initial stages of development, then you need to make an appointment with a rheumatologist. Signs include rapid fatigue of the lower extremities, minor pain that only bothers you with intense movement or heavy load on the joint.
The specialist will conduct a visual examination, ask what exactly is bothering the patient, and conduct testing. You will need to undergo an X-ray examination or MRI. Then, based on the results of the studies, the rheumatologist will prescribe treatment procedures and medications.
A rheumatologist specializes in joint diseases of a viral nature. To identify the cause of pain, you need to check for the presence of pathogenic bacteria in the body.
When the pain becomes prolonged, bothers you even in a calm state, the leg has difficulty bending and straightening, the help of a surgeon is required.
In the second stage of the disease, the pain intensifies, compression is felt in the joint, and it is difficult to bend the leg. Such pathologies are treated by an orthopedist. He prescribes massage, physical therapy exercises, and medications. Those who suffer from arthritis, gout, or have suffered a dislocation or severe bruise turn to an orthopedic traumatologist.
Problems with metabolic disorders inside the joint are solved by an endocrinologist. When soft tissue is damaged as a result of injury, blood flow deteriorates, bone tissue begins to receive less nutrients and deteriorate.
When dairy products are consumed in large quantities and there is a deficiency of other microelements in the body, calcium salts are deposited. Joints become less mobile, muscles become elastic. Stress can also trigger illness. Products with high acidity, purified (refined) are harmful to tissues and cartilage. And berries, vegetables, fruits make joints healthy.
Important! If you lead a normal lifestyle, experience optimal physical activity, avoid prolonged stress, and eat rationally, you can prevent the development of many diseases.
Often the elbows hurt when lifting weights, sharp jerks with the hand, or unsuccessful rotation of the limb. This should not cause concern; short-term pain goes away on its own. In other cases, pain indicates the development of pathology. The syndrome is accompanied by limited joint mobility.
There can be several causes of pain in the elbow:
First you will need to visit a therapist, who will determine the problem and refer you to the right doctor.
Which joint doctors treat problems with pain in the elbow joint:
A common pathology is osteoarthritis of the joint, which is accompanied by degenerative changes, destruction of cartilage tissue, and inflammation. In this case, the functions of the limb are lost. The shoulder is injured when carrying heavy loads, performing a certain type of work, or overexertion during sports training.
The cartilage is the first to suffer, becoming thinner and less elastic. Then the pathology spreads to the head of the humerus, and osteophytes begin to grow. The uncomfortable condition is commonly called “frozen shoulder.” In the morning or after keeping the shoulder in one position for a long time, patients experience stiffness during movements, the shoulder area swells and swells. Physical activity causes pain.
The causes of pain are various diseases (liver, heart, pneumonia, allergies, neuropathy, arthrosis, angina pectoris, rheumatism, myofascial syndrome) and a number of other factors:
Depending on the causes of the disease, you may need a rheumatologist, cardiologist, allergist, oncologist, neurologist, orthopedist, or traumatologist.
It is impossible to give a definite answer about the attending physician. First, you need to undergo a preliminary examination to identify the causes of the pathology. Then it will be possible to begin comprehensive treatment under the guidance of a specialist.
In specialized centers and clinics, the problem is treated by several doctors of different specializations - chiropractors, orthopedic traumatologists and others.
Conservative drug treatment is carried out by a rheumatologist. People turn to him when the first symptoms of degenerative or inflammatory joint diseases occur. He will collect a history of pathologies, examine the affected area, then write a referral to the laboratory for tests and diagnostics using X-rays, MRI, and ultrasound. Biochemical analysis of joint fluid and other types of studies are mandatory. Based on the results, a decision is made on the method of treatment.
If the patient sought medical help late or conservative therapy was ineffective, then surgical treatment will be required. The problem with significant joint destruction, bone deformation, and complete immobilization of the joint is solved by an orthopedic traumatologist.
Surgical intervention is performed by an orthopedic surgeon or traumatologist, as well as a vertebrologist. Arthroplasty, vertebroplasty, arthrodesis while preserving the integrity of healthy bone tissue, or endoprosthetics is performed - replacing a damaged joint with an implant. This helps return the patient to his former life, restore joint function and human performance.
Modern medicine has accumulated a wealth of experience in the treatment of pathologies of the knee joint, modern medical equipment is produced, specialized specialists are trained, and innovative techniques are used.
At first, choosing a doctor will be quite difficult. It will be necessary to conduct a comprehensive examination, after which it will be possible to say more specifically which specialist is treating this or that defect. This could be a therapist, an orthopedist, or, in case of advanced disease, a surgeon.
Important! To successfully treat joints, you need to see a doctor in time, before irreversible changes occur and the function of the joint can be fully restored.
There are doctors who cure arthritis without surgery using manual therapy.
The patient is prescribed a set of procedures - therapeutic massage or osteopathy, physical therapy or acupuncture. After completing the course of treatment, patients are relieved of pain and motor activity returns. In this case, the patient is recommended to take a certain diet to provide the body with nutrients, microelements, proteins, that is, building material for the restoration of cartilage tissue and joint bones.
A chiropractor also treats knee pain that occurs after an injury. Using new methods, he awakens the regeneration process in tissues and eliminates pain. After treatment, a rehabilitation course is carried out, including therapeutic exercises and massage.
The main condition for effective joint restoration is timely seeking medical help. At an early stage, it is possible not only to stop the destruction process, but also to completely restore the functionality of the limb. Be attentive to your health, do not put off your visit to the clinic until later. If pain bothers you, get examined.
Every day a person performs a huge number of movements with his legs, arms, head, and also walks a lot. The legs are under constant stress and often get injured.
Often people come to the doctor reporting that their knee joint hurts. Patients do not know what to do in such a situation, what treatment is necessary. Moreover, not every person can orient themselves in time and determine correctly which doctor is treating the knee joint.
The knee joint is subject to injury very often. These negative statistics are explained by the fact that people often fall on the knee, and it has a complex anatomical structure.
At risk are athletes, obese people, and workers who frequently carry heavy loads.
The knee joint is one of the large joints of the body; it connects three bones: the tibia, tibia and femur. A crescent-shaped layer of cartilage called the “meniscus”, it serves to:
In addition, the bones of the knee are connected by attached muscles, tendons, and ligaments that cover the kneecap. It is this structure that ensures the flexion and mobility of the knee. All elements of the knee joint are equally susceptible to injury.
When your knee hurts, it makes it much more difficult to perform your usual activities. If the pain is debilitating and prolonged, and it does not go away day or night, then a doctor is needed.
The knee joint hurts for a variety of reasons; in addition, discomfort can be of different nature and intensity.
The most common causes of knee pain include:
Everyone decides for themselves whether it is worth going to the doctor if the above phenomena occur. However, it is best not to delay this visit. It is important to understand which doctor you should contact.
Sometimes pain in the knee joint appears sporadically, there are no health risks or potential inconveniences. The causes of short-term pain are uncomfortable clothing or posture. In these cases, you need to remove the inconvenience and observe your condition for some time, without going to a doctor who treats knee joints.
In any case, you need to pay attention to the following signs:
It should be noted that if a person has at least one symptom from the list above, then he should consult a doctor immediately, since treatment is required.
Pain can occur only under certain conditions and can vary in severity depending on certain factors. Treatment and diagnosis depend on how the pain manifests itself.
The pain may be:
Discomfort may be accompanied by:
If your knee hurts, then regardless of the conditions under which it occurs (at rest, during movement, during extension, etc.), it is important to consult a doctor and not solve the problem yourself, so as not to get irreversible complications.
The profile of the doctor to whom a person turns to treat his knee is determined by what caused the discomfort. In most cases, the joint heals:
Discomfortable sensations in the knees during extension and straightening are not at all a harmless phenomenon; they cannot be ignored and the problem cannot be left to chance.
The knee joint is the most traumatic place in the human body; moreover, it is also the most mobile. With a damaged limb, a person will not be able to lead a normal, full life, since this defect will significantly limit movement.
The question of which doctor should you consult for knee pain can be answered this way: it is always better to contact a therapist first. This doctor will professionally understand the causes and diagnosis. Often the therapist does not refer the patient anywhere further, but prescribes treatment himself. In other cases, the therapist refers the patient to a doctor with a more narrow specialization, for example, to a rheumatologist.
If the pain syndrome begins spontaneously, while wearing tight shoes or clothes, or turning the body poorly, and goes away quickly, then most likely there is no reason to worry.
If discomfort appears when straightening and bending the knee, especially when the legs are at rest, then this is a reliable and characteristic symptom of inflammation of the ligaments and tissues. In this case, you cannot do without qualified treatment, as experts talk about in the video in this article.
If the nutrition of cartilage tissue is disrupted, it becomes thinner, flattened, micro-tears occur - arthrosis develops. Left without proper treatment, it ends in joint destruction.
The described symptoms, accompanied by joint pain, are a reason to immediately consult a doctor . You should not engage in treatment on your own, as well as turn to traditional medicine recipes without the consent of your doctor. Improper treatment can lead to disruption of the basic functions of the joints.
Pain that does not go away on the third day is a sure signal of developing inflammation. To determine which doctor can relieve you of your ailment, you need to go to the clinic to which you are assigned, or visit a private medical institution - as you wish.
If choosing a specialist is difficult for you, make an appointment with a therapist. He will schedule initial tests, and perhaps immediately send you for a specific examination. A subsequent visit to the clinic will involve a visit to a specialist who will examine and treat the already identified disease.
Who can help you in each specific case, and how - the following table will clearly tell you: