You know that the best way you can keep your muscles and joints healthy and in shape is by exercising them regularly. Not moving enough, or putting too much strain on those joints and muscles, can mean that you end up with pains and aches, and sometimes joint swelling and inflammation. Muscular, bone or joint symptoms can affect any part of your body - not just your 'head, shoulders, knees and toes' as the old song goes - and so these problems can severely impair your standard of living.
If you suddenly create a hot and swollen joint, the chances are that this problem is a result of some form of injury or inflammation. Joint infection is also a possibility, though this is very rare. When one of your joints becomes hot and swollen, think about the following causes:
Bursitis: Numerous fluid-filled cushions surround certain joints to prevent overlying muscles and ligaments from rubbing. When these cushions become inflamed because of overuse or direct pressure, you may develop a soft swelling around or near to the joint, called bursitis. Common locations include your elbow or knees. Rest, as well as prescribed or over-the-counter (for example ibuprofen) antiinflammatory medication, can help to bring the swelling down. Antibiotics may sometimes be needed to treat or prevent infection.
Gout: Gout is where uric acid (a chemical substance that your body produces as part of its normal metabolism) is raised in your bloodstream and crystallises in some pot, leading to inflammation and tenderness. Big toes in many cases are affected in gout, and your pain might be so severe that you cannot even tolerate a blanket over your foot through the night.
If you suspect that you have gout, consult your doctor, who could give you a prescription for drugs for example anti-inflammatory painkillers or medicines that lower your the crystals blood levels to avoid gout attacks from recurring. If you suffer recurrent attacks, also try to avoid potential triggers for example alcohol or rich foods.
Injury: Injury is one of the most common reasons for a swollen or painful joint - particularly with knees and ankles. If you suffer a mild injury (known as sprain or strain) to a joint, rest the affected part of the body and cool it down, for example with a packet of frozen peas wrapped in a thin towel. Painkillers and anti-inflammatory gels to help relieve your symptoms are available over-the-counter from your pharmacy.
Osteoarthritis: Osteoarthritis is a very common cause of pain and swelling in later life, and is a condition often said to be due to 'wear and tear' of a joint. You don't, however, necessarily develop osteoarthritis just through using your joints a lot; in fact, exercise that doesn't excessively impact upon your joints is helpful.
Other factors may also contribute, for example increased pressure on a joint because of being overweight. Your doctor can help to exclude other causes and counsel you on suitable painkillers. Physiotherapy and certain exercises can help to relieve the pain, but if things are really bad joint replacement could be the only means of getting rid of your pain and enabling you to go onto the dance-floor again.
Reactive arthritis: Bacterial or viral infections in another part of the body (such as the gut or lungs) can occasionally lead to inflammation of one or more joints in your body, which is sometimes called reactive arthritis. Knees, ankles and toes are most commonly affected, and your joints will probably feel stiff before you develop any pain and joint swelling.
Other seemingly unrelated symptoms can include inflammation of your eyes and difficulty urinating. In such cases, antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medication may help. If you suspect reactive arthritis, consult your doctor for confirmation of the diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
Rheumatoid arthritis symptoms: Rheumatoid arthritis is a long-term condition that can affect many areas of your body and never only your joints. The joints of the wrists, fingers and hands are commonly involved, but hip, knee and ankle joints may also become stiff and painful. Your doctor will probably arrange some blood tests and perhaps X-rays if he suspects that this condition may be accountable for your symptoms. If the diagnosis is confirmed, various drugs along with other therapies may help to maintain the inflammation away.
Doctors keep an eye out for that possibility of joint infection for good reason, because infections could possibly cause permanent damage to a joint if they're missed and not treated properly. Think about the possibility of a more serious joint infection (called septic arthritis) if you develop an acute joint problem, particularly under the following circumstances:
A number of other causes might be responsible for a hot and swollen joint, and so visit your doctor for help with the diagnosis and also to get the right treatment if your symptoms are more severe or don't settle by themselves. As a general rule, if your pain is severe and gets worse, or else you can't move the affected limb, seek medical health advice earlier rather than later.
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