What kind of doctor treats the joints

The doctor determines the indications for surgery: diseases in which conservative treatment is not possible. Advanced forms of spondyloarthrosis, osteoarthritis of the large joints and osteochondrosis fall into this category.

Common symptoms of joint diseases

Musculoskeletal abnormalities can cause the following symptoms

• pain syndrome;
• swelling of the affected areas;
• restriction of joint mobility;
• reddening of the skin;
• Deformation of small joints (lumps and hard nodules appear);
• instability of gait;
• rashes on the skin and mucous membranes;
• crunching when moving ;
• Increased body temperature (in the acute period);
• impairment of finger mobility;
• general weakness;
• vascularization of the skin.

Pain is considered the main symptom of pathological changes in the joints. It prompts the patient to see a doctor. The type, severity and location of the symptoms, as well as factors that aggravate or relieve the pain, are taken into account in the study.

disease groups

Musculoskeletal disorders are divided into 2 large groups:

Each group has its own causes.

The following diseases are inflammatory in nature:

• Rheumatoid arthritis;
• ankylosing spondylitis (Bechterew's disease);
• Reactive arthritis caused by ureaplasma, chlamydia, intestinal infections;
• gout (accumulation of uric acid in the joints);
• viral or bacterial arthritis thought to result from trauma;
• inflammatory processes caused by metastatic lesions in tumors;
• Arthritis as a result of autoimmune diseases of the connective tissue.

Degenerative-dystrophic processes in the joints occur with the following diseases:

• osteoarthritis (progressive cartilage thinning);
• osteochondrosis and arthritis of the spine (destruction of the intervertebral discs, which have a cushioning function);
• Osteoporosis (abnormal decrease in bone density).
• Diabetic joint damage;
• Osteochondropathies (diseases associated with disorders of cartilage nutrition and blood circulation).

Situation 1: Which doctor should I go to if my hand hurts?

In practice, there are many reasons why patients experience pain or arm loss. However, in most cases, numbness, tremors and weakness in the arm are primarily due to neurological problems. For example, osteochondrosis of the cervical spine causes a severed arm sensation and requires treatment by a neurologist. Patients seek trauma surgery when they have fallen from a height, been hit, or sustained domestic injuries that resulted in microfractures.

The treatment of the joint is primarily performed by an orthopaedist/traumatologist, but it is necessary to determine the type of care when the patient's condition is acute pain due to a recent injury and when it is a routine visit to an orthopaedist/traumatologist. traumatologist acts. Swelling of the joint, bruising of the limbs or unnatural positioning require urgent treatment. The patient is advised to call an ambulance and go to a trauma center. If there is no acute pain and for the observation of old injuries that do not require urgent treatment, you can safely contact the trauma surgeons in our clinic.

Situation 3: Which doctor should I go to if my hip hurts?

You should see an orthopedic trauma surgeon if the pain is due to a mechanical injury, e.g. B. a severe blunt trauma or fall, or as a result of joint disease. In these cases, the pain occurs in both the hip joint and the groin area. If you feel the pain is spreading all around your leg and radiating down your lower leg or foot, that's a good reason to see a neurologist. In any case, the doctor will recommend an MRI, X-ray or CT scan to confirm the initial diagnosis.

Make an appointment with an orthopedic traumatologist now

Who is a rheumatologist and what does he or she do?

A rheumatologist, like an orthopedic surgeon, deals with joint problems. He or she examines the joints and connective tissue, makes a diagnosis, and develops a treatment plan. The doctor helps to eliminate acute or chronic inflammation, treats arthritis and capsule inflammation, synovitis and synovitis and other diseases of the musculoskeletal system.

The problem is that not all polyclinics have a specialist in this category. Patients often consult a general practitioner or a surgeon and trauma surgeon when they complain of joint pain. If back or cervical pain occurs, the person may be referred to a neurologist, but a rheumatologist is rarely the right place to go.

Even the most experienced general practitioner is not able to correctly diagnose a chronic or rheumatic joint disease or to recognize a coxarthrosis based on the gait pattern. Many of these diseases are accompanied by unclear symptoms - a rash, fever, weight loss. Only a specialist with experience in treating such patients can jointly assess the clinical picture and make a diagnosis.

Only a rheumatologist or orthopedist can correctly diagnose a joint disease

Does arthrosis always cause joint problems?

Joint pain is often associated with osteoarthritis. It is believed that the diagnosis is universal: if the joints hurt, it means that the cartilage is worn out. In fact, other diseases have similar symptoms. It occurs with ligament and tendon abnormalities and periarticular injuries such as torn meniscus.

Almost all people over the age of 40 have degenerative changes in cartilage tissue of varying degrees. These do not always lead to osteoarthritis in its entirety. The symptoms can therefore indicate anything, including serious systemic diseases. Only an experienced specialist - a rheumatologist or orthopedist - can derive the cause from the diagnosis.

Osteoarthritis is not the only cause of joint pain

Which doctor treats joint pain?

Depending on the condition, your GP may refer you to a podiatrist, rheumatologist, surgeon, neurologist, endocrinologist, osteopath, or chiropractor.

If knee osteoarthritis or arthritis is suspected, in most cases the patient is referred to a rheumatologist. Before the consultation, further tests must be carried out, e.g. B. rheumatological examinations, tests for C-reactive protein, synovial fluid tests, cryoglobulin tests or other tests.

If the treatment recommended by the rheumatologist for osteoarthritis of the hip or other diseases does not work, the patient can be referred to an osteoarthritis doctor in complicated cases. This doctor is used when the joints are severely deformed, the disease is chronic and the pain persists even at rest.

The orthopedic surgeon performs arthroscopy, joint replacement, corrective surgery, and other surgical procedures on large joints.

The orthopedist also accepts patients with advanced diseases.

The specialist treats a wide range of diseases of the musculoskeletal system, including congenital and acquired pathologies of joints, tendons, ligaments and muscles. He diagnoses and treats injuries to soft tissue structures, trauma sequelae and complications, post-traumatic arthritis and tumors.

Sometimes the cause of joint pain is neurological - inflammation of the nerves, spinal cord cramps, injuries that have changed the position of the vertebrae, etc. The neurologist also examines functional joint pain caused by vigorous growth during puberty, pregnancy or intense exercise become. These usually go away spontaneously without treatment, but still need to be monitored.

In some cases, joint pain is due to hormone synthesis or metabolic disorders. Obesity and regular stress can also lead to joint damage. An endocrinologist deals with such pathologies: a rheumatologist or orthopedist will not help the patient in such cases.

When to see a specialist

Depending on the clinical picture, your family doctor will suggest which specialist it should be. However, you should not hesitate to see him if you have any of the following symptoms:

• Injuries of any severity – fractures, dislocations, joint and soft tissue injuries;
• chronic rheumatic diseases (your doctor should monitor the course and effectiveness of your treatment);
• sudden onset of joint pain;
• other musculoskeletal symptoms.

The first visit to the orthopedist is similar to what is shown in the video:

Why do my joints hurt?

The first thing to do is determine the cause of your joint pain.

If you had vigorous physical activity the previous day, including sudden movements of your arms or legs when you fell or lifted weights, you likely have a sprain. Joint pain can also be a sign of a torn tendon, a dislocation, or a broken bone head. If this is the case, you should see a trauma surgeon. The specialist will take an X-ray, determine the cause of the pain and prescribe an appropriate treatment.

If there was no trauma prior to the onset of joint pain, but there are signs of inflammation - reddening of the skin, painful sensations when touching and moving the joint, swelling of the soft tissues - then your general practitioner is the right person to talk to.

In our clinic you can make an appointment with a chiropractor who will arrange the necessary laboratory tests, the results of which will allow an accurate diagnosis. All of the above symptoms could be rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, or infectious lesions of the joint tissue. For treatment, the doctor will prescribe antimicrobial drugs tailored to each patient, taking into account the sensitivity of the pathogenic microflora.

If your symptoms include mild joint pain, no signs of inflammation, deformities, limited range of motion, and stiffness (especially after sleep and at rest), you should also see your GP. You are likely to be diagnosed with deforming osteoarthritis. Depending on where your pain occurs, it can be coxarthrosis (hip joint), gonarthrosis (knee joint) or epicondylosis (elbow joint).

All of these diseases are degenerative and destructive pathologies that require long-term systemic treatment to rebuild the damaged bone and cartilage tissue.

Which doctor treats the wrists?

If you have problems with the joints in your hands, your condition is most likely due to damage to the cervical spine, nerve pathways, or cartilage tissue.

If you experience any of the following symptoms, you should consult an appropriate healthcare professional

• Neurologist. Pain in wrist and fingers at the end of the day
• osteopath or orthopedist. Crunching and clicking noises when moving hands. Mobility is limited, stiffness is felt in the morning hours
• chiropractor or osteopath. Sharp pains with any movement, raising arms or bending elbows.
• Orthopaedist, osteopath or chiropractor. Pain in one or more joints in the arm, loss of muscle strength and difficulty in normal movement

What is osteoarthritis: concept.

Osteoarthritis is a progressive, chronic degeneration of the joints, which is accompanied by destruction of the cartilage tissue and damage to the bone surfaces. In the case of the knee, parts of the tibia and thigh are affected.

The joint capsules and meniscus can also be affected. Osteoarthritis of the knee is the most common orthopedic disease.

It is considered an important social problem because it occurs in all sections of the population and is associated with a restricted quality of life. Some patients lose their ability to work over time.

causes

The following factors contribute to the development of arthritis:

• Chronic inflammatory processes in the joints (arthritis);
• sedentary lifestyle;
• High physical stress from work or athletic training;
• standing or sitting for a long time;
• overweight;
• Endocrine and endocrine diseases with metabolic and circulatory disorders: atherosclerosis, diabetes mellitus, hypo- or hyperthyroidism, obesity;
• varicose veins;
• unhealthy diet, vitamin and mineral deficiencies;
• bad habits (alcohol consumption, smoking) that cause metabolic disorders;
• Genetic predisposition to diseases of the musculoskeletal system.

Under the influence of the factors mentioned, the cartilaginous tissue that protects the bone surfaces from friction begins to gradually degrade. In the first stage, thinning of this part of the joint can be observed. In later stages, the cartilage begins to break down.

The bone tissue begins to rub against each other and break down. Swelling occurs, leading to restricted mobility and deformation of the joint.

main types

Osteoarthritis of the knee joint can occur on one or both sides. The disease is also divided into different stages, e.g. B:

1. Fail. The patient feels a slight discomfort when walking. No changes are detected at diagnosis.
2. Doubtful (initial). The patient complains of a dull pain in the knee when walking for a long time. Sometimes a crunching sound can be heard when moving. X-rays show narrowing of the joint space and small areas of damaged bone tissue.
3. Mild. The pain syndrome intensifies. Morning stiffness occurs. X-ray shows narrowing of the joint space and the presence of bony outgrowths.
4. Degenerative (moderate). There is severe muscle and bone pain that increases at night. The affected joint area is swollen and the skin is red. X-rays show marked narrowing of the joint space, a large number of osteophytes, and signs of abnormal bone thickening.
5. deformity (severe). The pain syndrome becomes a permanent condition. Movements are severely restricted, accompanied by a loud crunching noise. The joint deforms, the gap narrows, and the edges of the bony surfaces widen.

traumatologist

A doctor who diagnoses and treats injuries to joints and ligaments is called a traumatologist. He is more of an orthopedic specialist, that is, he can deal with inflammatory and degenerative-dystrophic pathologies of the structures of the musculoskeletal system, with the possible exception of autoimmune rheumatic diseases (mainly in smaller clinics).

A general practitioner treats traumatic injuries on an outpatient basis or in a trauma hospital. Most public and private medical facilities also have trauma clinics where specialist physicians provide emergency care. These are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In the trauma unit, an initial diagnosis of the cause and type of injury is made using X-rays and first aid is provided.

In the case of fractures or dislocations, the aim is to reposition the fracture or to reduce and then immobilize (immobilize) the limb. In the case of serious injuries requiring surgical treatment, the victim must be hospitalized.

Where is the doctor?

A joint doctor in Moscow works in a specialized medical institution in public or private sponsorship. An orthopedist and traumatologist can diagnose and treat the corresponding pathology in a polyclinic or in the orthopedic or traumatology department of a hospital.

The polyclinic usually treats patients with diseases or injuries that do not require hospitalization. The department treats diseases with a severe course that require constant medical supervision.

Treatment of cartilage diseases of the knee

Treatment of cartilage damage in the knee

The treatment approach depends on the exact cause of the cartilage thinning. This can occur as a result of:

Treatment can aim to relieve symptoms, slow down degenerative processes, stop inflammation and increase the cartilage's ability to regenerate. Sometimes surgery is required. It allows the restoration of cartilage surface defects.

conservative measures

When the hyaline cartilage in the knee joint is thin, conservative measures are the first choice of treatment. The following therapeutic methods are used:

First of all, all factors that can promote a thinning of the cartilage in the knee joint should be eliminated. Treatment begins by recommending the patient to refrain from heavy physical work and sports. Because if the cartilage continues to be mechanically irritated, it will be damaged and a complete regeneration of the cartilage tissue is not possible due to its poor blood supply.

• Weight reduction if BMI exceeds 25 kg/m2;
• reducing the load on the affected limb;
• Use of orthopedic aids (ortheses, insoles);
• Use of a cane or crutches.

Symptoms of joint problems

Patients with joint problems usually go to their family doctor first. This looks for systemic and extra-systemic manifestations in the anamnesis, i.e. for symptoms of joint damage. Not only the typical symptoms, but also gastrointestinal, respiratory and cardiovascular disorders can indicate a joint disease.

Symptoms of joint disease:

• swelling and tenderness of the joints;
• stiffness of movements;
• instability of movements;
• Local redness of tissue;
• stiffness and hardness on the phalanges of the fingers;
• Rashes and changes in the mucous membranes;
• crunching of the joints when performing movements;
• impairment of fine motor skills;
• Chills;
• Fever;
• general malaise;
• increased weakness;
• Formation of subcutaneous nodules or eyes on the surface of the skin.

Pain is one of the main symptoms of joint disease. Pain analysis includes the location and intensity of the pain (when it reaches a maximum), its type (superficial, deep, sharp, dull, burning, etc.), factors that can increase or decrease the pain, timing and frequency of pain (morning or daytime, at rest, after the first movement or motor activity).

By analyzing the nature of the disease (inflammatory or non-inflammatory), evaluating the type of pain and signs of stiffness, the therapist can determine which doctor will treat the joints in each individual case and where the patient should be referred for further evaluation and treatment should. Specialists who treat joints include rheumatologists, neurologists, orthopedic traumatologists, surgeons, osteopaths, endocrinologists, and chiropractors.

Which doctor treats the joints?

The main specialist in the treatment of joints is the rheumatologist. To clarify the diagnosis, the doctor may recommend rheumatological tests, C-reactive protein (CRP) tests, virological tests, immunological tests, synovial fluid tests, tests for antinuclear antibodies, cryoglobulins, etc.

Consultation with a trauma surgeon may be indicated when the joint disease is long-standing and severe, the joints are severely deformed, the pain persists even at rest and the treatment prescribed by the rheumatologist does not bring any improvement.

The orthopedic traumatologist deals with the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the musculoskeletal system, which include various types of injuries, congenital and acquired diseases of bones, muscles, joints, tendons and ligaments. The doctor conducts the differential diagnosis of joint and tendon diseases, inflammatory changes in soft tissue structures, trauma consequences and complications, as well as various types of tumors.

The orthopedist can use various surgical methods to treat joints:

• therapeutic and diagnostic arthroscopy;
• joint arthroplasty
• corrective surgery;
• surgical treatment of damaged large joints, etc.

Arthroscopy makes it possible to identify synovitis, assess its condition, the presence of a corpus callosum in the joint, cicatricial changes and intra-articular adhesions, exostoses, determine the nature of damage to the meniscus, assess the condition of ligaments and tendons.

Joint pain is often associated with various types of neurological damage. In such cases, a neurologist can help diagnose the problem and prescribe appropriate treatment. The cause of the pain can be neuritis, spinal entrapment, trauma, or other problems related to the position of the vertebrae that can lead to joint damage.

Knee pain: what to do?

The first thing to do is to avoid or reduce stress on the knee joint. Sport, long walks and violent movements are not advisable. It is advisable to rest the knee joint several times a day.

If an injury is present, it can be relieved by resting the limb or by applying ice cubes. It is best to position the leg so that the knee is held up.

See your doctor to determine the cause of the pain and begin effective treatment. A doctor's visit is essentialif:

• the pain prevents you from walking on your leg;
• the knee is swollen and red or has a fever;
• the knee is deformed (e.g. one knee looks different than the other);
• the pain in the knee is chronic.

In Moscow, the treatment of painful knees is carried out in outpatient clinics of general practitioners.

Which doctor should I see for knee pain?

If you have knee pain, it is best to consult an orthopaedist/traumatologist or surgeon. A rheumatologist can be helpful for chronic knee pain. A physical therapist, massage therapist, or chiropractor can also be consulted to relieve the pain.

To treat knee pain effectively, an examination is first done to determine the cause of the pain. This may include:

• Instrumental examinations (X-ray, ultrasound, CT, MRI);
• arthroscopy (a diagnostic surgical examination in which an endoscope is inserted into the joint cavity);
• Laboratory tests (general and biochemical blood tests, serological tests, synovial fluid analysis, etc.).

Treatment of knee pain caused by trauma may require bone reduction, use of casts, orthotics, and surgery if bone fragments need to be removed.

With inflammatory diseases of the knee, comprehensive treatment is used, which includes the use of various groups of drugs, physiotherapy, massage therapy and therapeutic exercises. PRP therapy (injections of autologous blood plasma enriched with blood platelets) can also be carried out.

Do not treat on your own. Contact our specialists who will make a correct diagnosis and prescribe treatment.

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