Skin Tension Over a Painful Joint

What is it?

Skin tension over a painful joint refers to the stretching of the skin in the area of an inflamed or damaged joint. This can occur for various reasons, including injuries, joint diseases, inflammation, or swelling. Skin tension can be accompanied by painful sensations and limited joint mobility.

Causes

• Injuries. Fractures, dislocations, or strains in the joint can lead to skin tension over the affected joint.
• Inflammation. Conditions like arthritis or bursitis can cause joint inflammation, which in turn leads to skin stretching.
• Swelling. Swelling in the joint area causes the skin to stretch to compensate for the increased tissue volume.
• Infections. Infectious conditions, such as osteomyelitis, can cause inflammation and skin stretching over the joint.

Symptoms

• Painful sensations in the joint area.
• Swelling and puffiness around the painful joint.
• Feeling of tightness or stretching of the skin.
• Limited joint mobility.
• Redness or color changes in the skin around the inflamed joint.

Treatment

• Anti-inflammatory drugs. NSAIDs help reduce inflammation and alleviate pain.
• Massage and physiotherapy. Special procedures help improve mobility and relieve tension in the joint area.
• Compresses and ice. Ice packs can help reduce swelling and relieve pain.
• Surgical intervention. In rare cases, surgery may be required to repair damage or inflammation in the joint.
• Supportive bandages. Elastic bandages or braces can help relieve pressure on the painful joint and support the stretched skin.