a. Mechanical Cause. A direct blow to the joint will cause pain. Also, injuries to
other body parts that are close to the joint may cause pain in the joint.
b. Osteoarthritis. This is the most common form of arthritis and is a
deterioration of the joint cartilage and the formation of new bone at the margins and
subchondral areas of the joints. Joint pain is the most common symptom of this
condition.
c. Tumors. A tumor, an overgrowth of tissue, can occur at a joint. The tumor
may be benign or malignant, causing pain in either case.
d. Pyogenic Cause. Pyogenic refers to a pus-forming infection. It can be acute
(sudden onset) or chronic (ongoing but milder). In either case, if this occurs at a joint,
there will be pain.
e. Metabolic Cause. Metabolism refers to the chemical processes taking place
in the body's living tissues, processes needed to maintain life. Increased production of
uric acid and calcium can result in joint pain.
f. Avascular Necrosis Cause. This refers to the death of tissue due to poor
circulation, this tissue having no blood vessels
g. Neuropathic Cause. Joint pain can be associated with nervous system
disease.
1-5.
POLYARTICULAR PAIN
Here, pain occurs in several joints. Types of polyarticular pain include acute
polyarticular pain and subacute pain. Conditions in which there is acute polyarticular
pain include rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematous, metabolic-caused joint
pain, viral infection, and rheumatic fever.
a. Rheumatoid Arthritis. In this chronic, systemic, inflammatory disease, the
joints are affected. Initially, the affected joints may only feel stiff when the individual
gets up in the morning. Later, joints become painful and tender, especially joints of the
wrists, knees, elbows, and ankles.
b. Systemic Lupus Erythematous. This is an inflammatory infectious tissue
disease that bears some similarities to rheumatoid arthritis. Joint pain and stiffness are
the first and most common symptoms of the disease.
c. Metabolic Caused Joint Pain. These disorders can produce monarticular
and polyarticular pain.
MD0577
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