Arthralgia
| Joint Pain | |
|---|---|
| Specialty | Rheumatology |
Arthralgia(fromGreekarthro-'joint', and-algos'pain') literally means 'jointpain'.[1][2]Specifically, arthralgia is a symptom ofinjury,infection,illness(in particulararthritis), or anallergic reactiontomedication.[3]
According toMeSH,the termarthralgiashould only be used when the condition is non-inflammatory, and the termarthritisshould be used when the condition isinflammatory.[4]
Causes
[edit]The causes ofarthralgiaare varied and range, from a joints perspective, from degenerative and destructive processes such asosteoarthritisand sports injuries to inflammation of tissues surrounding the joints, such asbursitis.[5]These might be triggered by other things, such as infections or vaccinations.[6]
| Cause | Mono-or polyarticular |
Speed of onset |
|---|---|---|
| Rheumatoid arthritis | Polyarticular[7] | Weeks–months[8] |
| Systemic lupus erythematosus | Polyarticular[7] | Months[9] |
| Viral arthritis | Polyarticular[7] | |
| Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome | [10] | |
| Reactive arthritis | Polyarticular[7] | |
| Rheumatic fever | Polyarticular[7] | |
| Lyme disease | Polyarticular[7] | |
| Gonococcal arthritis | Polyarticular[7] | |
| Drug-induced arthritis | Polyarticular[7] | |
| Ligamentous laxity | Polyarticular[7] | |
| Osteoarthritis | Monoarticular[7] | |
| Goutattack | Monoarticular[7] | Hours[11] |
| Pseudogout | Monoarticular[7] | |
| Behcet's Disease | Monoarticular[7] | |
| Physical trauma | Monoarticular[7] | Immediate |
| Septic arthritis | Monoarticular[7] | Hours[11] |
| Hemarthrosis | Monoarticular[7] | |
| 5HT2-antagonists[12] | ||
| Henoch-Schonlein purpura[13] |
Diagnosis
[edit]Diagnosis involves interviewing the patient and performingphysical exams.When attempting to establish the cause of the arthralgia, the emphasis is on the interview.[2]The patient is asked questions intended to narrow the number of potential causes. Given the varied nature of these possible causes, some questions may seem irrelevant. For example, the patient may be asked aboutdry mouth,light sensitivity,rashesor a history ofseizures.[2][14]Answering yes or no to any of these questions limits the number of possible causes and guides the physician toward the appropriate exams and lab tests.
Treatment
[edit]Treatment depends on a specific underlying cause. The underlying cause will be treated first and foremost. The treatments may includejoint replacementsurgery for severely damaged joints,immunosuppressantsfor immune system dysfunction, antibiotics when an infection is the cause, and discontinuing medication when an allergic reaction is the cause. When treating the primary cause, pain management may still play a role in treatment.[15]The extent of its role varies depending on the specific cause of the arthralgia. Pain management may include stretching exercises, over the counter pain medications, prescription pain medication, or other treatments deemed appropriate for the symptoms. Capsaicin,a substance found inchili peppers,may relieve joint pain from arthritis[citation needed]and other conditions. Capsaicin blocks the actions ofsubstance P,which helps transmit pain signals, and capsaicin triggers the release of pain-blocking chemicals in the body known asendorphins.Side effects of capsaicin cream include burning or stinging in the area where it is applied. Another topical option is an arthritis cream containing the ingredient, methyl salicylate (Bengay).
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^"Arthralgia Definition".MedicineNet.com.Archivedfrom the original on 11 October 2007.Retrieved2007-09-20.
- ^abcJoe G. Hardin."Arthralgia".Clinical Methods - The History, Physical, and Laboratory Examinations.Retrieved2007-09-20.
- ^James R Philp."Allergic Drug Reactions - Systemic Allergic Drug Reactions".Clinical Methods - The History, Physical, and Laboratory Examinations.Retrieved2007-09-20.
- ^"MeSH".Retrieved2007-12-23.
- ^Joe G. Hardin."Table 161.1. Some Common Regional Rheumatic Syndromes".Clinical Methods - The History, Physical, and Laboratory Examinations.Retrieved2007-09-20.
- ^Loris McVittie."Information from CDC and FDA on the Safety of Gardasil Vaccine".supplement to yourbiologics license application(BLA) for Human Papillomavirus Quadrivalent (Types 6, 11, 16 and 18) Vaccine, Recombinant (GARDASIL), to include arthralgia, myalgia, asthenia, fatigue, and malaise in the Adverse Reactions section of the package insert.Retrieved2008-07-21.
- ^abcdefghijklmnopTable 6-8 in:Elizabeth D Agabegi; Agabegi, Steven S. (2008).Step-Up to Medicine (Step-Up Series).Hagerstwon, MD: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.ISBN978-0-7817-7153-5.
- ^Diagnosis lag timeof median 4 weeks, and mediandiagnosis lag timeof 18 weeks, taken from:Chan, K. W.; Felson, D. T.; Yood, R. A.; Walker, A. M. (1994). "The lag time between onset of symptoms and diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis".Arthritis and Rheumatism.37(6): 814–820.doi:10.1002/art.1780370606.PMID8003053.
- ^Doria, A.; Zen, M.; Canova, M.; Bettio, S.; Bassi, N.; Nalotto, L.; Rampudda, M.; Ghirardello, A.; Iaccarino, L. (2010). "SLE diagnosis and treatment: When early is early".Autoimmunity Reviews.10(1): 55–60.doi:10.1016/j.autrev.2010.08.014.PMID20813207.
- ^"Ehlers-Danlos syndrome - Symptoms and causes".Retrieved10 February2018.
- ^abPage 740 (upper right of page)in:Schaider, Jeffrey; Wolfson, Allan B.; Hendey, Gregory W.; Ling, Louis; Rosen, Carlo L. (2009).Harwood-Nuss' Clinical Practice of Emergency Medicine (Clinical Practice of Emergency Medicine (Harwood-Nuss)).Hagerstwon, MD: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.ISBN978-0-7817-8943-1.
- ^Passier, Anneke; van Puijenbroek, Eugene (November 2005)."Mirtazapine-induced arthralgia".British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology.60(5): 570–572.doi:10.1111/j.1365-2125.2005.02481.x.PMC1884949.PMID16236049.
- ^"Henoch-Schonlein purpura (video)".Khan Academy.Retrieved2020-06-06.
- ^"Table 159mptomatic Extraarticular Features of the Connective Tissue Diseases and the Spondyloarthropathies".Clinical Methods - The History, Physical, and Laboratory Examinations.Retrieved2007-09-20.
- ^"Pain Management".Arthritis Action UK.Arthritis Action. Archived fromthe originalon 13 February 2016.Retrieved16 October2015.
