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 observed in people over the age of forty. Women and men are equally susceptible to this type of pathology.
The bones and joints provide high mobility of our body when performing any movement and physical activity. The fingers of the upper limbs, thanks to the mobile phalanges, are able to perform sufficiently clear and targeted actions when performing delicate and scrupulous work. However, this 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 the joints of the fingers than representatives of other professions. Degenerative processes of the fingers can develop for many reasons, in addition to professional activity. The following factors are considered the most common:
- rheumatism;
- gout;
- arthrosis;
- arthrosis;
- circulatory disorders in the upper limbs;
- hand injuries.
If the joints swell and hurt when bending the fingers, examination and treatment of the first symptoms of the disease is necessary. This problem is solved quite difficult, in the long run and not always successfully, especially in neglected forms.
Rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is considered an autoimmune disease, characterized by damage to the connective tissue, that is, destructive and degenerative changes in the small joints. But rheumatoid arthritis is considered an extremely serious pathology, because, in addition to damaging the cartilage surfaces, it causes severe destructive changes in the tissues of the heart (pericarditis, myocarditis). 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 symptom relief and bright relapses. Disorders of 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 the 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 limbs.
Symptoms
A patient diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis complains of joint pain when flexing his fingers. This symptom is one of the first to appear on both limbs. In addition, a number of subjective complaints are added:
- pain increases at night and early in 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 more 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 stop the disease in a timely manner and keep its possible destructive manifestations under control.
causes
Rheumatoid arthritis has a hereditary predisposition, but there are factors that can trigger its onset.
Infectious diseases are considered as such, as the immune system fights the infection and, in turn, remains in the joints and bones of the body for a long time after the visible symptoms have subsided. It is this fight that causes the body's defenses to attack against the cells of the joints themselves. Hypothermia and stressful situations can create conditions in which finger joints hurt due to the onset of rheumatoid arthritis.
Treatment
It is impossible to completely cure such a disease, but it seems real enough to keep it under control and prevent its progression. Modern methods of therapy for rheumatoid arthritis are quite effective and allow you to withstand periods of remission up to two years, which significantly improves the patient's quality of life. Now doctors use 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 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 the degenerative damage caused by these cells. Therefore, if such a drug is timely, as often as necessary to influence the cause of the inflammation, the situation does 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
Osteoarthritis is considered a disease in which the cartilage layer between the joints is destroyed. This is due to circulatory disturbances in the lower layer of the periosteum. As a result, the cartilage does not receive sufficient nutrition and begins to thin and break down. Synovial fluid decreases in volume or disappears altogether. All of these factors lead to friction and inflammation. The small joints of the fingers, toes and hands are affected less frequently than the large ones. Older people usually suffer from 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 joint surface.
Symptoms of osteoarthritis of the fingers are as follows:
- pain and stiffness;
- crunching 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 finger;
- decrease in sensitivity of the fingertip due to a violation of innervation in the affected area.
For pain in the finger joint, therapeutic methods include complex measures. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory 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 restore 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 in the hands hurt, experts call gout.
Gout is considered a metabolic disease, that is, a violation of protein metabolism.
A large amount of uric acid leads to the deposition of crystals in the joints and 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 severe pain;
- violation of the mobility of the finger joint;
- creak when bending;
- hyperemia and swelling of the fingers.
The treatment of this pathology consists, first of all, in organizing a diet with a complete rejection of proteins and fatty foods, limiting table salt and including a large amount of fresh fruits and vegetables in the diet. The use of alcohol in any form and carbonated drinks is strictly prohibited. The volume of liquids 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 painkillers 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. Physiotherapy treatment methods 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 follow a diet low in protein and fat, and also check the level of uric acid in the blood. Obesity is considered a predisposing circumstance for the development of this type of pathology.