Why do finger joint pains occur and how are they treated?

6 October 2020

causes of pain in the joints of the fingers

Painful sensations in the knuckles can occur for a variety of reasons. Any pathological condition requires competent treatment.

Articular diseases require an integrated approach. It includes the use of medication, diet, physical therapy, special gymnastics and alternative medicine.

Possible causes of finger joint pain

Joint pain can occur at any age. There are many possible reasons for this phenomenon.

Poliosteoarthritis

Pain in the knuckles in 40% of cases is caused by this cause. This pathology is often called polyarthrosis or knuckles. It belongs to dystrophic diseases and is characterized by slow progression, therefore patients often ignore the first stage of the disease.

The disease most commonly affects people over the age of 50 and rarely occurs in people under the age of 40.

The causes of polio are often called heredity, but there are other factors that provoke it:

kulmi;
violation of material exchange;
pathology of thyroid and other endocrine glands;
diabetes mellitus.

Joints contain cartilage that begins to degrade. This means that the natural lubrication is compromised, causing dryness and cracking.

Due to the lack of lubrication and drying, the articular cartilage rubs against each other, which provokes an inflammatory process. Against this background, an abnormal joint inflammatory fluid is produced, enlarging the joints from the inside. As a result, their deformation occurs, accompanied by painful sensations.

Poliosteoarthritis is associated with other symptoms. They are mainly represented by the Bouchard and Heberden nodes:

Bouchard nodesare slow development without complications. They usually form on the lateral surfaces of the joints, giving them a fusiform shape.
Heberden nodesaffect the distal interphalangeal nodes in their spine and sides. Characterized by symmetrical development in both hands. Joint formation is often accompanied by swelling and redness of the skin around the joints. Painful sensations and burning appear, although in 30% of cases the pathology is asymptomatic.

As polyosteoarthritis progresses, joint stiffness increases. The consequence of the pathology is the toe joints.

Rheumatoid Arthritis and Disease Still Disease

This disease belongs to systemic connective tissue pathologies and has a complex autoimmune pathogenesis. Pathology rarely occurs in patients under 30 years of age. In men, it occurs 5 times less often.

Signs of rheumatoid arthritis depend on its stage:

The initial stage of the disease is characterized by periarticular bursa edema. This leads to pain, swelling of the periarticular region and a local increase in temperature.
In the second stage, the cells begin to divide rapidly, as a result of which the synovium becomes denser.
In the third stage, the inflamed cells produce an enzyme that affects the cartilage and bones, so the affected joints are usually deformed. This stage is accompanied by an increase in pain and loss of motor functions.

There are three possible causes of rheumatoid arthritis:

Inheritance.
Infections. Pathological changes can be caused by some paramyxoviruses, herpes viruses, hepatoviruses, retroviruses.
Motivating factors. Pathological changes can be caused by hypothermia, intoxication, stress, taking certain medications, hyperinsulation, endocrinopathy.

Still's disease is a form of rheumatoid arthritis. It is usually accompanied by fever, redness and itching. This disease is most often diagnosed in children. In addition to the joints, Still's disease can affect the lymph nodes, provoke pleurisy, pericarditis.

Psoriatic Arthritis

This pathology is one of the forms of arthritis and can occur after 20 years. It develops against the background of psoriasis, but in some cases precedes it.

In addition to painful sensations, the pathology is accompanied by the following signs:

swelling of the joints;
acquisition of a bluish-purple skin in the periarticular region;
appearance of bumps and depressions on the nails;
light stiffness.

There is a devastating form of pathology, characterized by rapid bone erosion. Fracture filled with loss of joint mobility.

The inflammatory process can affect not only the joints but also some organs. Characteristic skin plaques of psoriasis in this form of arthritis are often associated with the appearance of acne.

Possible causes of psoriatic arthritis are as follows:

alcohol abuse;
smoking;
stress;
skin damage;
side effects of some medicines;
change in hormonal levels;
excess of ultraviolet radiation.

Infectious arthritis

This type of arthritis is also called septic and is characterized by an inflammatory process caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi or parasites.

There are many possible symptoms of pathology - the clinical picture depends on the cause of the infection.

The main signs of the disease are:

grief;
mobility restriction;
hyperemia of the affected area;
.

Since the cause of the pathology is an infection, it can be associated with fever, chills and intoxication syndrome.

Infectious arthritis can develop against the background of another disease - rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, diabetes mellitus, overweight. The reason may be alcohol and drug addiction, sexually transmitted infection.

Ground

This pathology is otherwise called gouty arthritis. It is a metabolic disease. In this case, uric acid or sodium monourate is deposited in body tissues. Among women, gout is much less common.

Pathology is characterized by paroxysmal character. Worsening episodes can last from 3 days to a week and a half. The attacks are characterized by a sharp appearance and the same rapid interruption. The presence of crises implies an inflammatory process.

Exacerbation of the disease often begins at night and may be accompanied by the following symptoms:

worse pain with movement;
the skin over the inflamed joint becomes red;
body temperature rises;
tofu form around inflamed joints - white growths under the skin;
lesions are usually unilateral.

In addition to the acute period, there are latent and chronic stages of pathology. In the first case, the course of the disease is asymptomatic and its only sign is hyperuricemia (blood test indicator). The chronic phase is characterized by long periods of remission.

Rhizarthrosis

This pathology is a form of osteoarthritis when only the thumb is affected. In most cases, rhizarthrosis is a manifestation of polyosteoarthritis, but in every 4-5 patients it is an independent disease.

In almost every second person, this pathology is caused by trauma. It can be home or sports.

There are other causes of pathology:

incomplete rehabilitation in case of ankle bone fracture;
minor permanent damage to the joint capsule;
;
articular dysplasia;
disorders of the endocrine system;
metabolic disorder;
effects of some drugs that cause changes in cartilage tissue.

There are 3 stages of pathology:

At first, the person experiences only discomfort.
Then bone growths appear and painful sensations intensify due to exposure to nerve endings.
In the last stage, the thumb is severely deformed and its mobility may be completely lost.

Pain is the main symptom of the disease. Intensifies with movement, drop in atmospheric pressure, under cold or hot water. At first, the pain is aching, and in the final stage of the pathology, it becomes simply unbearable.

De Quervain's disease (tenosynovitis)

In this case, only the ligaments of the thumb are inflamed. This pathology is provoked by constant and monotonous movements of the hands, which causes minor damage to the tendon that runs along the back of the wrist. Trauma can be another cause of illness.

The disease often accompanies people in certain occupations:

;
tailor;
;
athletes (tennis players, skiers);
masons;
.

This pathology can develop at any age. Painful sensations with it can occur spontaneously, but more often they are provoked by the load on the thumb - pressing, stretching, trying to grasp an object.

Stenotic ligaments

This condition is also called Knott or rapid finger disease. The cause is inflammation of the tendon and the formation of joints in it.

In this case, the affected finger bends and returns to its original position problematically.

Painful sensations occur when the finger is bent and extended. In addition to pain, other symptoms are characteristic of the disease:

mpirje;
increased sensitivity;
swelling of the joints;
lump formation.

Stenotic ligamentitis can be caused by rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes mellitus and high joint stress.

Risk Factors

In the case of each pathology, there are several possible reasons for its development. There are also a number of risk factors that make finger joints more likely to develop:

hereditary predisposition;
chronic infection;
diseases of the immune system;
pathology of material exchange;
changed the hormonal background;
trauma and microtrauma;
long-term negative impact.

Diagnosis

When painful sensations appear in the joints of the fingers, they usually turn to a therapist who prescribes the initial examinations and refers to a closer specialist - a surgeon, neurologist, traumatologist, arthrologist, rheumatologist, orthopedist, reflexologist, osteopath, endocrinologist, nutritionist, phtisiatian.

In any case, the diagnosis begins with a visual inspection. After him, the specialist prescribes standard laboratory blood and urine tests. They allow you to identify the inflammatory process in the body and evaluate some important indicators (albumin, globulin fractions, amount of iron).

Keymaking belongs to laboratory methods. A needle is inserted into its cavity to collect synovial fluid. This test is also called arthrocentesis.

diagnosis of diseases for pain in the joints of the fingers

From instrumental diagnostic methods, the following studies may be performed accordingly:

X-rays.This method allows you to identify trauma, fracture, tumor, and other damage to bone tissue.
Ultrasound scanning.This technique is used to examine soft tissues. Furthermore, using an ultrasound examination, you can check the condition of the vessels.
Tomography- computer, magnetic resonance. CT is preferred to be used to examine bone structures - an examination is similar to an X-ray, but much more informative. MRI is most effective in studying soft tissue
Scintigraphy.This research was conducted using a radio indicator.
Electrocardiogram.Such a diagnosis allows you to check if the pathology has affected the heart.

Treatment of pain in the fingers of the wrists

Every disease requires certain measures. The basis of treatment in most cases is drug therapy in combination with physiotherapy and special gymnastics. Some diseases require a special diet. Popular recipes can also be effective in treating joint pathologies.

Drug therapy

Various drugs are the mainstay of treatment for most diseases.

The following medicines are used for joint damage:

Preparations of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory group.Such funds are used for various inflammatory processes. They not only relieve inflammation but also reduce pain and fever. Such drugs are produced in various dosage forms - for topical use, oral administration, injection.
Antibiotics.Such drugs are used in the inflammatory process, as well as the infectious origin of the pathology. To prescribe antibiotic therapy, the causative agent of the disease is first identified to determine its susceptibility to the drug.
Glucocorticosteroids.These drugs are steroidal and anti-inflammatory. Their action speeds up the recovery process. They are also available in various dosage forms.
Chondroprotectors.These drugs are used as part of a comprehensive treatment. They accelerate the recovery process, prevent recurrence of pathology.
Analgesicscan be used for severe pain that cannot be tolerated. These can be topical remedies in the form of a cream or gel, or medicines for oral administration or injections.
Immunosuppressants.Such drugs are used when the pathology is of an autoimmune nature.

Medications should only be prescribed by a doctor. Every patient needs an individual approach, so even with the same diseases in different people, the group of medicines required can be radically different.

Traditional medicine

Alternative medicine is used to treat a variety of ailments, including those affecting the joints.

The following popular recipes can be effective:

Melt propolis and mix it with vegetable oil - sunflower or corn oil is best. The resulting composition should be used as an oil, rubbing it into the affected areas.
Rubbing with honey and horseradish. The products should be mixed in equal proportions.
Dissolve a tablespoon of mustard powder in half a glass of vodka and massage the affected areas with this composition.
Boil the unpeeled potatoes, cook and apply warm compresses to the inflamed areas.
Grind the onion gently and apply a compress to the affected areas. You should keep it for half an hour, repeating the procedure up to three times a day.
Tincture of lilac flowers helps a lot. You need to fill 3 tbsp. lt raw with a glass of vodka and leave for a week in the dark. Rub the affected areas with a strained mixture daily for at least half a month.
Boil the rolled oats in order to gain the consistency of the jelly, cool slightly, dip a bandage in it and place it on the affected areas, fixing it with polyethylene. Remove the compress after an hour.
In case of inflammation, dissolve 1 tablespoon. baking soda in milk and beverages.
If the inflammatory process has worsened, then you can apply a fresh cabbage leaf smeared with honey on the affected area.
Legs with affected joints can be kept in a bath with the addition of birch sap.
Heat salt or buckwheat in a pan, place in a cloth bag and stick to the affected area, leaving for a few hours.
useful it is useful to use the infusion of laurel leaves inside. To do this, pour a glass of boiling water over some leaves and insist.
Black radish juice with honey is useful. Three times a day you should take a tablespoon of such a medicine.
For joint pathologies, it is helpful to use fluids. A glass of cranberry or lingonberry juice, birch sap is enough per day.

Only traditional medicine is suitable in the initial stage of pathology development. In other cases, it should be used in combination with traditional methods. Self-medication may not bring any results, and the pathology will only worsen during this time.

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy is one of the components of a comprehensive approach to joint pathologies. It is performed only according to the doctor's instructions. There are many methods of physiotherapy, so the right option is chosen on an individual basis.

methods of treating pain in the finger joints

For various finger joint pathologies, the following procedures are appropriate:

magnetotherapy - constant, impulse;
electrophoresis;
UHF;
laser therapy;
;
ozokerite therapy;
cryotherapy;
galvanized;
diadynamic therapy;
oxygen therapy;
balneotherapy;
shock wave therapy;
ozone therapy.

Various therapeutic methods have been developed to restore joint movement, restore blood circulation, muscle tone, increase metabolic process, and accelerate healing.

Every method of physiotherapy has certain contraindications, so it is worth using them only as prescribed by a doctor.

Finger Gymnastics

Special finger exercises are part of a comprehensive treatment approach. Such gymnastics allows you to restore blood circulation and mobility, reduce pain and has an overall strengthening effect.

Before gymnastics, you can warm your hands if there are no contraindications to this. Just soak your hands in warm water for 5 minutes or place a heating pad on them.

The following exercises are effective for various joint pathologies:

The fists are clenched and removed. You should gently squeeze your hand into a fist so that your finger is on top of the rest. In this position, you should delay for 0, 5-1 minutes, then remove the fist, spreading your fingers as much as possible. You should do at least 4 repetitions for each hand.
Finger warm-up. You need to place your palm on a firm surface and press it firmly. Alternate each finger upwards, doing 10 repetitions for each hand.
Contact. You should turn the hand with the palm towards you and alternately connect the tips of each finger with the tip of the thumb, forming a circle. Each contact should be maintained for 0, 5-1 minutes. Do 4 or more repetitions for each hand.
Exercise the Thumb. The palm should be on a firm surface. You need to move your thumb along it, removing it as much as possible from the rest. At the extreme point, you should delay for 0, 5-1 minutes, then return to the starting position. Do 10-15 reps for each hand. Do the exercise every 2-3 days.
There is another thumb exercise. You should turn your hand with your palm towards you, move your finger to the arm as much as possible, and then bend it so that its tip touches the base of the little finger. At this point, you should delay for 0, 5-1 minutes. Do 4 or more repetitions by hand.
Brush extension. You need to place your palm on the table and straighten the brush so that it becomes as flat as possible. In this position, you need to stay for 0, 5-1 minutes. Do 4 reps for each hand.
Finger extension. You should turn your hand with your palm towards you and bend your fingers so that they touch the skin at their bases. In this position, you should extend for 0, 5-1 minutes, then run your fingers smoothly. Do 4 or more repetitions by hand.
Extension of the thumb. You should turn your hand with your palm towards you and bend your thumb so that its tip touches the base of your index finger. In this position, you should delay for 0, 5-1 minutes, do 4 repetitions.
There is another option for thumb extension. The starting position is the same. The thumb should be pulled at the base of the little finger, moving only the lower knot. At the extreme point, stand for 0, 5-1 minutes, do 4 repetitions for each hand.
Strengthening exercises. It is necessary to take a soft ball and squeeze it as much as possible, staying at the extreme point for a few seconds. Do 10-15 reps for each hand. The exercise itself should be done not every day, but every 2-3 days, giving your hands a break.
Climb. This exercise also requires a soft ball. It should be gripped so that there is a thumb on one side and everyone else on the other. In this position, you should delay for 0, 5-1 minute. You should do 10-15 reps for each hand. Exercise every 2-3 days.

In addition to such exercises, it is also useful to work with clay or plasticine. The material can be simply rolled, made into dough or made into various crafts.

Finger gymnastics should not be done when the pain is very strong. In this case, the exercises can only bring harm.

Diet

One of the treatment principles for various joint pathologies is proper nutrition.

The diet should be organized according to the following principles:

Weight normalization. This is necessary for deviations in any direction. In the case of disorders of fat metabolism, lipids are deposited in the joints.
Limit salt. If there is too much of it in the body, then the joints lose elasticity.
For gout, the focus should be on plant foods to alkalize the body.
Reduce animal protein intake. The amino acids contained in it penetrate the synovium, provoking inflammation and pain.
Better it is better to refuse meat juices or use secondary soup.
Better it is better to use meat not in pure form, but as kitten, meatballs, meatballs.
With gout, you should give up oily fish, caviar, cod liver, offal, eggs, butter in cream, fatty yogurt, nuts.
You should refuse sweets, confectionery products, post-treatment cereals, instant products.
The diet should be saturated with vitamin C. For this you need citrus fruits, blueberries, apples, bell peppers, black currants, Brussels sprouts, broccoli.

Prevention

Every disease is easier to prevent than to cure. As a prophylaxis for various articular lesions of the fingers, the following measures are appropriate:

Proper nutrition. The diet should be rich in fresh fruits and vegetables, complex carbohydrates, lean protein foods and unsaturated fatty acids.
Getting enough vitamins and minerals. If there are not enough of them in the diet, then you should use funds from the pharmacy.
Correct drinking regime. Lack of fluid slows down the metabolism, which impairs blood circulation and nutrition of the joints, and reduces the volume of synovial fluid in them. The drinking regime should be based on clean, non-carbonated water. On average, you should drink 2 liters of juice a day.
There are no bad habits.
Proper physical activity. It is important for the normal speed of metabolic processes in the body, good blood circulation, strengthening of muscles and periarticular ligaments.
Special gymnastics for the fingers. It is especially important when the fingers are subjected to constant stress. This is true for some athletes and professions.
Competent alternation of activity and rest. The night's sleep should be complete.
Minimal stress.
Regular medical check-ups. They can detect the initial stage of the pathology or the preconditions for its development, which allows you to take the necessary measures in a timely manner.

Pain in the knuckles cannot be ignored. Even in the absence of accompanying symptoms, such a phenomenon may be the first sign of serious pathology. An integrated treatment is used in the treatment of joint diseases. Therapeutic methods should be prescribed by a physician, as each patient needs an individual approach.