Joint dysfunction is a fairly common problem among all age groups of the world population. Diseases that cause pain in the joints of the fingers are usually seen in people older than forty years. Women and men are equally susceptible to this type of pathology.
Bones and joints provide great mobility to our body when performing any movements and physical activities. The fingers of the upper extremities, thanks to the moving phalanges, can perform sufficiently clear and purposeful actions when performing sensitive, scrupulous work. However, such activity in 60% of cases leads to occupational disability in old age. For example, watches, jewelers, engravers, seamstresses are more likely to have problems with their finger joints than representatives of other professions. Degenerative processes of the fingers can develop for several reasons, in addition to professional activity. The following factors are considered the most common:
- rheumatism;
- gout;
- osteoarthritis;
- arthrosis;
- circulatory disorders in the upper extremities;
- hand injuries.
If the joints swell and injure when bending the fingers, 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 neglected forms.
Rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is considered an autoimmune disease, characterized by connective tissue damage, namely destructive and degenerative changes in small joints. But rheumatoid arthritis is considered an extremely serious pathology, because in addition to damage to cartilaginous surfaces, it causes serious destructive changes in heart tissues (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 course with periods of calming of symptoms and bright relapses. Disorders in the immune system lead to the fact that immune cells perceive the cells of the joint surfaces as foreign and begin to fight them. This leads to destruction, deformation and immobility of the fingers.
The attack always falls on the small joints of the hands and fingers of the upper and lower extremities.
Symptoms
A patient diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis complains of pain in the joints when bending the fingers. This symptom is one of the first to appear on both limbs. Furthermore, a number of subjective objections have been added:
- pain increases at night and in the early morning;
- there is stiffness in the movement of the fingers;
- there is a subfebrile temperature of up to 38 degrees;
- symptoms of general intoxication appear in the form of increased fatigue, loss of appetite, insomnia, weight loss;
- nodules form on the surface of the fingers, characteristic of the growth of the synovial membrane of the joint, which is most sensitive to degenerative processes.
The appearance of such symptoms for any healthy person should be a reason for urgent referral to a specialist in order to stop the disease in time and keep its possible destructive manifestations under control.
Causes
Rheumatoid arthritis has an inherited predisposition, but there are factors that can trigger its occurrence.
Infectious diseases are considered as such, since the immune system fights the infection, and it remains in the joints and bones of the body long after the visible symptoms have disappeared. It is this struggle that provokes the aggression of the body's defenses against the cells of the joints themselves. Hypothermia and stressful situations can create conditions when the finger joints become sore due to the onset of rheumatoid arthritis.
Treatment
It is impossible to completely cure such a disease, but it seems quite realistic to keep it under control and prevent its progression. Modern methods of rheumatoid arthritis therapy are quite effective and enable them to endure periods of remission for up to two years, which significantly improves the quality of life of the patient. Now doctors use anti-inflammatory methods of treatment with steroid and nonsteroidal drugs. Biologically active complexes of drugs based on collagen and glucosamine are prescribed, which nourish the joint surface and prevent destruction.
The most important innovation in the treatment of this pathology is the use of specific enzymes that suppress the activity of immune cells.
The joint hurts due to degenerative damage caused by these cells. Therefore, if such a drug is timely, with the necessary frequency to affect the cause of inflammation, the situation will not spiral out of control. During remission, doctors recommend courses of physiotherapy procedures for the finger and hand area.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is considered a disease in which the cartilage layer between the joints is destroyed. This is due to circulatory disorders in the lower layer of the periosteum. As a result, the cartilage does not get enough food and begins to thin and crack. Synovial fluid decreases in volume or disappears completely. All these factors lead to friction and inflammation. Small joints of the toes, feet and hands are affected less frequently than large ones. Usually the elderly suffer from changes in the tissues and circulation associated with aging.
The risk is significantly increased in postmenopausal women, by about 30%, because hormonal changes cause dehydration, reduced cartilage elasticity and dryness of the joint surface.
The symptoms of osteoarthritis of the fingers are as follows:
- pain and stiffness;
- crunching when bending and pulling fingers;
- swelling of the skin over the knuckles;
- appearance of nodules and protrusions in the form of growths;
- deformity of the affected finger;
- reduced sensitivity of the fingertip due to violation of innervation in the affected area.
For finger joint pain, therapeutic methods include complex measures. Anti-inflammatory nonsteroidal drugs and ointments based on anesthetics, menthol or novocaine will help relieve inflammation and pain. Special preparations of biologically active action are prescribed for the restoration and nourishment of the joints. In addition, the doctor prescribes a course of physiotherapy procedures. In severe cases, injections are used directly into the joint capsule. It is important to understand that in advanced cases it is impossible to restore the mobility and normal functioning of the fingers. A timely visit to the doctor gives a good prognosis.
Gout
Another common reason for asking why your wrists hurt is, experts call gout.
Gout is considered a metabolic disease, ie 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 most commonly affected are the joints of the feet and hands, especially the base of the toes. The main symptoms of the disease are:
- very intense pain;
- violation of the mobility of the finger joints;
- crunching when bending;
- hyperemia and swelling of the fingers.
The treatment of this pathology consists, above all, in organizing a diet with complete rejection of protein and fatty foods, limiting salt and including a large amount of fresh vegetables and fruits in the diet. The use of alcohol in any form and carbonated beverages is strictly forbidden. The amount of fluid you drink should increase to at least three liters a day. In case of an attack of pain, the affected finger should be kept at rest.
Anti-inflammatory pain medications are used. If they are not effective, doctors resort to hormone therapy in the form of corticosteroids. Medications from this group can quickly relieve inflammation and pain. Physiotherapeutic methods of treatment in this case are recommended only in the period of remission. It should be remembered that gout is hereditary, so with a burdensome history you should adhere to a diet low in protein and fat, and also control the level of uric acid in the blood. Obesity is considered a predisposing circumstance for the development of this type of pathology.