Joint dysfunction is a fairly common problem among all age groups of the world’s population. Diseases that cause pain in the finger joints are usually seen in people over the age of forty. Women and men are equally susceptible to such pathologies.
Bones and joints provide high body movement when performing movements and physical activities. The toes of the upper toes, thanks to the moving phalanges, are able to perform quite clear and purposeful actions while performing delicate and meticulous work. However, such activities in 60% of cases cause professional disability in old age. For example, watchmakers, jewelers, sculptors, seamstresses tend to have problems with finger joints than representatives of other professions. The degenerative process of the fingers can develop for many reasons, in addition to professional activities. The following factors are considered the most common:
- rheumatic;
- gout;
- osteoarthritis;
- arthrosis;
- circulatory disorders in the upper legs;
- hand injuries.
If the joint is swollen and sore when bending the finger, examination and treatment of the first symptoms of the disease is required. This problem is solved quite difficult, long -term and not always successfully, especially in a neglected form.
Rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is considered an autoimmune disease, characterized by damage to connective tissue, i. e. destructive and degenerative changes in small joints. But rheumatoid arthritis is considered a very serious pathology, because, in addition to damage to the surface of cartilage, it causes serious destructive changes in heart tissue (pericarditis, myocarditis). The kidneys, endocrine glands, blood vessels, lungs and mucous membranes can also suffer. The disease occurs suddenly and is characterized by a very long journey with a period of symptoms that subside and a bright relapse. Disorders in the immune system lead to the fact that immune cells perceive articular surface cells as foreign and begin to fight them. This leads to destruction, deformation and inability of the fingers.
Attacks always occur on the small joints of the hands and the upper and lower fingers.
Symptoms
A patient diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis complained of joint pain when flexing a finger. This symptom is one of the first to appear on both limbs. Furthermore, a number of subjective complaints were added:
- pain increased at night and in the early morning;
- there is stiffness in the movement of the fingers;
- there are subfebrile temperatures of up to 38 degrees;
- symptoms of general intoxication appear in the form of increased fatigue, loss of appetite, insomnia, weight loss;
- on the surface of the finger, nodules are formed, characteristic of the growth of the synovial membrane of the joint, which is most susceptible to degenerative processes.
The appearance of such symptoms for every sane person should be a reason to immediately refer to a specialist to stop the disease in a timely manner and ensure that the possibility of its destructive manifestations is controlled.
Cause
Rheumatoid arthritis has a hereditary predisposition, but there are factors that can trigger its occurrence.
Infectious diseases are considered as such, because the immune system fights the infection, and in turn, it remains in the joints and bones of the body for a long time after the visible symptoms subside. It is this struggle that causes the invasion of the body’s defenses against the joint cells themselves. Hypothermia and stressful conditions can create conditions when the finger joints ache as a result of the onset of rheumatoid arthritis.
Treatment
It is impossible to cure such a disease completely, but it seems very real to stay under control and prevent its development. Modern methods of therapy for rheumatoid arthritis are quite effective and make it possible to withstand a remission period of up to two years, which significantly improves the quality of life of patients. Now doctors use anti-inflammatory treatment methods with steroidal and non-steroidal drugs. A biologically active drug complex based on collagen and glucosamine is prescribed, which nourishes the articular surface and prevents destruction.
The most important innovation in the treatment of this pathology is the use of specific enzymes that suppress the activity of immune cells.
Joints ache due to degenerative damage caused by these cells. Therefore, if such a drug is timely, with the necessary frequency to influence the cause of inflammation, then the situation will not be out of control. During the remission period, the doctor recommends a course of physiotherapy procedures for the finger and hand area.
Arthrosis
Arthrosis is considered a disease in which the layer of cartilage between the joints is destroyed. This is due to circulatory disorders in the lower layer of the periosteum. As a result, cartilage does not get enough nutrients and begins to thin and crack. Synovial fluid decreases in volume or disappears altogether. All of these factors cause friction and inflammation. Small joints of the fingers, toes and hands are affected more rarely than large ones. Usually the elderly suffer because of age -related changes in tissues and blood circulation.
The risk is significantly increased in postmenopausal women, around 30%, because hormonal changes cause dehydration, decreased cartilage elasticity, and dryness of the articular surface.
The symptoms of finger arthrosis are as follows:
- pain and stiffness;
- cramps when flexing and extending fingers;
- swelling of the skin on the finger joints;
- the appearance of nodules and bruises in the form of growths;
- affected toe deformities;
- decreased sensitivity of the fingertips due to violation of curing in the affected area.
For pain in the finger joints, the method of therapy involves complex steps. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications and ointments based on anesthetics, bulbs or novocaine will help relieve inflammation and pain. To restore and nourish the joints, special preparations of biologically active action are prescribed. Along with this, the doctor prescribes a physiotherapy procedure. In severe cases, the injection is applied directly to the joint capsule. It is important to understand that in further cases, it is impossible to restore normal finger movement and function. Timely visits to the doctor give a good prognosis.
Gout
Another most common reason for the question of why the joints in the hands hurt, experts call gout.
Gout is considered a metabolic disease, which is a violation of protein metabolism.
A large amount of uric acid leads to the deposition of crystals in the joints and in the kidneys in the form of salts. The joints of the feet and hands are most often affected, especially the base of the thumb. The main symptoms of this disease are:
- very strong pain;
- violation of the movement of the finger joints;
- cramps when bending;
- hyperemia and swelling of the fingers.
The treatment of this pathology consists, first of all, in arranging a diet with complete rejection of protein and fatty foods, limiting table salt and including large amounts of fresh vegetables and fruits in the diet. The use of alcohol in any form and carbonated beverages is strictly prohibited. The volume of fluid you drink should increase to at least three liters a day. If there is an attack of pain, the affected finger should be silent.
Anti-inflammatory painkillers are used. If ineffective, doctors use hormone therapy in the form of corticosteroids. Drugs in this group can quickly relieve inflammation and pain. Physiotherapy treatment methods in this case are recommended only in the period of remission. Keep in mind that gout is hereditary, therefore, with a burdensome history, you should adhere to a diet low in protein and fat, as well as control the level of uric acid in the blood. Obesity is considered a predisposing condition for the development of this kind of pathology.