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 type of pathology.
Bones and joints provide high mobility of our body when performing all kinds of movements and physical activity. The fingers of the upper limbs, thanks to the movable phalanges, are able to perform sufficiently clear and purposeful actions when performing delicate, meticulous work. However, such activity in 60% of cases leads to occupational disability in old age. For example, watchmakers, jewelers, engravers, and seamstresses are more likely to have problems with their finger joints than members 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;
- osteoarthritis;
- arthrosis;
- circulatory disorders in the upper extremities;
- hand injuries.
If the joints swell and hurt when the fingers are bent, it is necessary to examine and treat the first symptoms of the disease. This problem is quite difficult to solve, long-term and not always successful, especially in neglected forms.
Rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is considered an autoimmune disease characterized by damage to the connective tissue, namely destructive and degenerative changes in the small joints. But rheumatoid arthritis is considered an extremely serious pathology, because in addition to damage to cartilage surfaces, it causes serious destructive changes in the tissues of the heart (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 remission of symptoms and clear relapses. Disorders in the immune system lead to the fact that immune cells perceive the cells on 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 limbs.
Symptoms
A patient diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis complains of joint pain when bending the fingers. This symptom is one of the first to appear on both limbs. In addition, a number of subjective complaints are added:
- the pain increases at night and in the early hours of the day;
- there is stiffness in the movement of the fingers;
- has a low-grade fever 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 fingers are formed nodules characteristic of the growth of the synovial membrane of the joint, which is most susceptible to degenerative processes.
The appearance of such symptoms for any sane person should be a reason for immediate referral to a specialist in order to stop the disease in a timely manner and to control its possible destructive manifestations.
Reasons
Rheumatoid arthritis has a hereditary predisposition, but there are factors that can cause it.
Infectious diseases are considered as such because the immune system fights the infection, which in turn remains in the joints and bones of the body for a long time after the visible symptoms disappear. 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 where the joints of the fingers ache due to the appearance 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 treating rheumatoid arthritis are quite effective and allow to withstand periods of remission for up to two years, which significantly improves the quality of life of the patient. Doctors now use anti-inflammatory methods to treat steroids 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, then the situation will not get out of control. During the remission period, doctors recommend courses of physiotherapy procedures for the fingers and hands.
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. Therefore, the cartilage does not receive enough food and begins to thin and crack. The synovial fluid decreases in volume or disappears completely. All 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 menopausal women, by about 30%, as 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 stretching the fingers;
- swelling of the skin above the finger joints;
- the appearance of nodules and bumps in the form of growths;
- deformity of the affected toe;
- decreased sensitivity of the fingertip due to impaired innervation in the affected area.
For pain in the joint of the finger, 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 with biologically active action are prescribed. In addition, the doctor prescribes a course of physiotherapy procedures. In severe cases, the injections are used directly into the joint capsule. It is important to understand that in advanced cases it is impossible to restore 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, namely a disorder 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 commonly affected, especially the base of the thumbs. The main symptoms of the disease are:
- very severe pain;
- impaired mobility of the finger joint;
- crunching when bending;
- hyperemia and swelling of the fingers.
The treatment of this pathology consists primarily 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 prohibited. The volume of fluid you drink should be increased to at least three liters per day. In case of attacks of pain, 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 can quickly relieve inflammation and pain. Physiotherapeutic methods of treatment in this case are recommended only during the period of remission. It should be remembered 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 factor for the development of this type of pathology.