In the last three years, most of us have learned to live with Covid. Today we know what to avoid and how to deal with it if we get infected. But the disease is still a threat as we still do not know much about the long-term effects of the virus, i.e. long COVID or post-COVID syndrome. Studies have shown that the long-term effects of the disease can be fatal and target all organs, including your heart and nervous system. There are other symptoms that may not seem serious but can disrupt your daily life in a big way. These symptoms include hair loss, joint pain, etc. Here’s how to take care of the Covid-related joint pain you’re experiencing.
How severe is the pain?
When it comes to COVID-related joint pain, most of the patients have complained of a sharp pain in their knee. Many patients have also complained of enthesitis and lower back swelling. These symptoms are also called reactive arthritis and the pain is similar to regular arthritis pain.
This pain can bother you for months.
Dr Rajeev Verma, HOD and consultant – joint replacement and orthopedics, HCMCT Manipal Hospitals, Dwarka told TOI that such pain mostly occurs due to two reasons. “First, direct viral toxicity, endothelial cell damage and dysregulation of the immune response lead to exaggerated inflammation that leads to muscle pain. Second, muscle pain and the prolonged recovery time from COVID can lead to joint stiffness and immobility Which ultimately causes joint pain.”
How to get relief?
It is extremely important to keep moving your muscles and joints after the initial recovery. Dr. Verma advises, “A sedentary lifestyle damages the body even without any infection, so patients should maintain at least 15-30 minutes of physical activity every day.”
At least 17 million people in Europe experienced prolonged COVID in the first two years of the pandemic. According to a study conducted by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington School of Medicine, women were twice as likely to experience long-term effects than men. Data compiled for the World Health Organisation’s European region suggests that one in three women admitted to hospital are at risk of developing long-term Covid.
The lingering symptoms – ranging from chronic fatigue and “brain fog” to breathlessness – are estimated to afflict about 10% to 20% of Covid cases.
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