Joint dysfunction is a fairly common problem in all age groups of the world’s population. Diseases that cause finger joint pain are usually seen in people over forty years old. Women and men are equally susceptible to this pathology.
In any sports and physical activity, bones and joints provide our body with high mobility. Because the phalanges are movable, the fingers of the upper limbs can make sufficiently clear and purposeful movements when performing delicate and meticulous work. However, in 60% of cases, such activities lead to occupational disability in the elderly. For example, watchmakers, jewelers, engravers, and tailors are more prone to finger joint problems than representatives of other professions. In addition to professional activities, the degenerative process of the fingers may develop for a variety of reasons. The following factors are considered the most common:
- Rheumatism;
- gout;
- Osteoarthritis;
- joint;
- Circulatory disorders in the upper limbs;
- Hand injury.
If the joints are swollen and painful when you bend your fingers, you need to check and treat the first symptoms of the disease. This problem is quite difficult to solve, long-term and not always successful, especially in the neglected form.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is considered an autoimmune disease characterized by damage to connective tissue, that is, destructive and degenerative changes in the facet joints. But rheumatoid arthritis is considered to be an extremely serious pathology, because in addition to causing damage to the cartilage surface, it can also cause severe and destructive changes in the heart tissue (pericarditis, myocarditis). The kidneys, endocrine glands, blood vessels, lungs, and mucous membranes may also be damaged. This disease occurs suddenly and is characterized by a long course, subsidence of symptoms and obvious recurrence. The disorder of the immune system causes immune cells to treat the cells on the joint surface as foreign cells and start fighting against them. This can cause damage, deformation and immobility of the fingers.
Attacks always fall on the small joints of the hands and fingers of the upper and lower limbs.
symptom
A patient diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis complained of joint pain when bending his fingers. This symptom is one of the first symptoms that appear on both limbs. In addition, some subjective complaints have been added:
- Pain worsens at night and early in the morning;
- Stiffness in finger movement;
- The body temperature is as high as 38 degrees;
- General symptoms of poisoning appear in the form of increased fatigue, loss of appetite, insomnia, and weight loss;
- The formation of nodules on the surface of the finger, which is a characteristic of the growth of the synovial membrane of the joint, is most susceptible to the degenerative process.
Every sane person should have such symptoms, so he should be immediately referred to a specialist in order to stop the disease in time and control its possible destructive manifestations.
reason
Rheumatoid arthritis has a genetic predisposition, but there are some factors that can trigger its occurrence.
Infectious diseases are considered to be like this, because the immune system fights the infection, and after the obvious symptoms subsided, it stays in the joints and bones of the body for a long time. It is this struggle that causes the body's defenses to attack the joint cells themselves. When finger joints are injured due to an attack of rheumatoid arthritis, hypothermia and stress conditions can create conditions.
treatment
It is impossible to completely cure this disease, but it seems very realistic to control it and prevent its progression. Modern treatments for rheumatoid arthritis are very effective and can withstand a remission period of up to two years, which significantly improves the quality of life of patients. Doctors now use anti-inflammatory methods of steroids and non-steroid drugs for treatment. A bioactive drug complex based on collagen and glucosamine is prescribed to nourish the joint surface and prevent damage.
The most important innovation in the treatment of this pathology is the use of specific enzymes that inhibit the activity of immune cells.
Due to the degenerative damage caused by these cells, joints can be injured. Therefore, if such drugs are timely and affect the cause of inflammation at the required frequency, then the situation will not get out of control. During remission, the doctor will recommend physical procedures for the fingers and hand area.
joint
Arthropathy is considered to be a disease in which the cartilage layer between joints is destroyed. This is due to circulatory disturbances in the subperiosteal layer. As a result, the cartilage is not getting enough nourishment and begins to thin and crack. The volume of synovial fluid decreases or disappears completely. All these factors can cause friction and inflammation. The small joints of the fingers, feet, and hands are affected less frequently than the large joints. The elderly are usually affected by age-related changes in tissues and blood circulation.
The risk of postmenopausal women is significantly increased by about 30%, because hormonal changes can cause dehydration, decreased cartilage elasticity, and dry joint surfaces.
The symptoms of finger joint disease are as follows:
- Pain and stiffness;
- Tighten when bending and stretching fingers;
- Swelling of the skin at the finger joints;
- Nodules and lumps appear in the form of growth;
- Deformity of the affected toe;
- As the innervation of the affected area is violated, the sensitivity of the fingertips is reduced.
For finger joint pain, treatment includes complex measures. Anti-inflammatory non-steroidal drugs and ointments based on anesthetics, menthol or novocaine will help relieve inflammation and pain. In order to restore and nourish joints, special preparations with biologically active effects are prescribed. At the same time, the doctor prescribes a series of physical therapy procedures. In severe cases, it is injected directly into the joint capsule. It is important to understand that in advanced cases, the mobility and normal function of the fingers cannot be restored. Seeing a doctor in time can provide a good prognosis.
gout
Experts say gout is the other most common cause of joint pain in the hands.
Gout is considered to be a metabolic disease that violates protein metabolism.
A large amount of uric acid causes crystals to be deposited in the joints and kidneys in the form of salt. The joints of the feet and hands are most commonly affected, especially the base of the thumb. The main symptoms of the disease are:
- Very severe pain;
- Violation of the mobility of the finger joints;
- Creaking when bent;
- The fingers are congested and swollen.
The treatment of this pathology first includes a diet that completely rejects protein and fatty foods, restricts salt, and adds a lot of fresh vegetables and fruits to the diet. It is strictly forbidden to use any form of alcohol and carbonated beverages. The amount of fluids you drink should increase to at least three liters a day. In the event of an onset of pain, the affected finger should remain at rest.
Use anti-inflammatory painkillers. If they do not work, doctors will turn to corticosteroids for hormonal treatment. The drugs in this group can quickly relieve inflammation and pain. In this case, physical therapy is only advisable during the remission period. It should be remembered that gout is hereditary. Therefore, with a long history, you should stick to a low-protein and low-fat diet and control the level of uric acid in the blood. Obesity is considered to be the predisposing factor for this pathology.