Joint dysfunction is a fairly common problem among all age groups of the world's population. Diseases that cause pain in the joints of the fingers are usually seen in people over the age of forty. Women and men are equally susceptible to this kind of pathology.
Bones and joints provide high mobility of our body when performing any movement and physical activity. The fingers of the upper extremities, thanks to the movable phalanges, are able to perform sufficiently clear and purposeful actions when performing delicate, scrupulous work. However, such activity in 60% of cases leads to professional disability in old age. For example, watchmakers, jewelers, engravers, seamstresses are more likely to have problems with finger joints than representatives of other professions. Degenerative processes of fingers can develop for many reasons other than 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 hurt 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 successful, especially in neglected forms.
Rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is considered an autoimmune disease, which is characterized by damage to connective tissue, namely destructive and degenerative changes in small joints. But rheumatoid arthritis is considered an extremely serious pathology, because in addition to damage to the cartilaginous surfaces, it causes serious destructive changes in the tissues of the heart (pericarditis, myocarditis). Kidneys, endocrine glands, blood vessels, lungs and mucous membranes may also suffer. The disease occurs suddenly and is characterized by a very long course with periods of subsiding symptoms and bright relapses. Disturbances in the immune system lead to the fact that the immune cells perceive the cells of the articular surfaces as foreign and begin to fight against 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 joint pain when flexing the fingers. This symptom is one of the first to appear on both limbs. Further, a number of subjective complaints are added:
- pain increases at night and in the early hours of the day;
- there is stiffness in the movement of the fingers;
- there is a subfebrile temperature 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 fingers, 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 for immediate referral to a specialist in order to timely stop the disease and keep its possible destructive manifestations under control.
Causes
Rheumatoid arthritis has a hereditary predisposition, but there are factors that can trigger its occurrence.
Infectious diseases are considered as such, since the immune system fights infection, and it, in turn, remains in the joints and bones of the body for a long time after the visible symptoms have subsided. It is this struggle that causes the aggression of the body's defenses against the cells of the joints themselves. Hypothermia and stressful situations can create conditions when the joints of the fingers hurt due to the onset of rheumatoid arthritis.
Treatment
It is impossible to completely cure such a disease, but it seems quite real to keep it under control and prevent its progression. Modern methods of therapy for rheumatoid arthritis are quite effective and allow to withstand periods of remission of up to two years, which significantly improves the patient's quality of life. Now doctors are using anti-inflammatory methods of treatment with steroid and non-steroidal drugs. Biologically active complexes of drugs based on collagen and glucosamine are prescribed, which nourish the articular 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 the degenerative damage caused by these cells. Therefore, if such a drug is in a timely manner, with the necessary frequency, to act on the cause of the inflammation, then the situation will not get out of control. During the period of remission, doctors recommend courses of physiotherapy procedures for the area of the fingers and hands.
Arthrosis
Arthrosis is considered a disease in which the cartilaginous layer between the joints is destroyed. This is due to circulatory disorders in the lower layer of the periosteum. Consequently, the cartilage does not receive sufficient nutrition and begins to thin and crack. The synovial fluid decreases in volume or disappears altogether. All of these factors lead to friction and inflammation. Small joints of fingers, feet and hands are affected less frequently than large ones. Usually elderly people suffer due to age-related changes in tissues and blood circulation.
The risk increases significantly in postmenopausal women, by about 30%, because hormonal changes cause dehydration, decreased cartilage elasticity, and dryness of the articular surface.
Symptoms of arthrosis of the fingers are as follows:
- pain and stiffness;
- crunch when flexing and extending the fingers;
- swelling of the skin over the joints of the fingers;
- the appearance of nodules and bumps in the form of growths;
- deformity of the affected toe;
- decreased sensitivity of the fingertip due to a violation of the innervation in the affected area.
For pain in the joint of the finger, therapeutic methods include complex measures. Anti-inflammatory nonsteroidal drugs and ointments based on anesthetics, menthol or novocaine will help relieve inflammation and pain. To restore and nourish the joint, special preparations of biologically active action are prescribed. Along with this, 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 return the mobility and normal functioning of the fingers. A timely visit to the doctor provides a good prognosis.
Gout
Another of the most common reasons for the question of why the joints on the hands hurt, experts call gout.
Gout is considered a metabolic disease, namely a violation of protein metabolism.
Large amounts of uric acid lead 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 thumbs. The main symptoms of the disease are:
- very intense pain;
- violation of the mobility of the joint of the fingers;
- crunch when bending;
- hyperemia and swelling of the fingers.
Treatment of this pathology consists, first of all, in organizing a diet with a complete rejection of protein and fatty foods, limiting table salt and including a large amount of fresh vegetables and fruits in the diet. The use of alcohol in any form and carbonated drinks is strictly prohibited. The volume of fluid you drink should increase to at least three liters per day. In case of pain attacks, the affected finger should be kept at rest.
Anti-inflammatory pain relievers are used. If they are not effective, doctors resort to hormone therapy in the form of corticosteroids. Drugs in this group are able to quickly relieve inflammation and pain. Physiotherapeutic methods of treatment in this case are advisable only during the period of remission. It should be remembered that gout is hereditary, therefore, with a burdened history, you should adhere to a diet low in proteins and fats, and also control the level of uric acid in the blood. Obesity is considered a predisposing circumstance for the development of this kind of pathology.