Fingers are the main tool, thanks to which we can perform a variety of working functions.Therefore, it is not surprising that when the joints of the fingers hurt it is difficult to fulfill their direct duties or cope with home work.Medical assistance is needed when the first painful sensations appear, otherwise severe consequences associated with the destruction of the joints are possible in the advanced stages.
What to do if the joints of the fingers hurt?It is necessary to apply for an examination and treatment with a rheumatologist as soon as possible.Only after the specialist establishes the true cause of pain and clarifies the diagnosis, he will be able to choose an effective treatment regimen and prescribe the necessary drugs.
Why the joints of the fingers hurt are the main reasons
There are many reasons that can provoke joint pain.Factors causing pathological changes in the joints are:
- influence of the external environment (for example, long -term hypothermia, physical injuries);
- a professional factor associated with constant increased loads on the joints;
- hormonal disorders;
- diseases of the immune and endocrine system;
- hereditary factor;
- Chronic infectious diseases.
Often the joints of the fingers during pregnancy hurt, and this condition is explained by a lack of calcium, which is most acute during this period.The increase in the production of the hormone relaxin (which negatively affects the condition of the cartilage tissue), as well as the weakening of immunity associated with the restructuring of the woman’s body during the period of bearing the fetus, also plays its role.
In addition, experts distinguish a number of diseases that lead to deformation and destruction of the joints and are accompanied by a characteristic feature - pain.These are pathologies such as:
- infectious arthritis;
- osteoarthrosis;
- rheumatoid arthritis;
- psoriatic arthritis;
- risartrosis;
- gout;
- Streaming ligamation.
Let us dwell in more detail on the symptoms of diseases that cause joints and talk about methods for the diagnosis and treatment of such pathologies.
The joints of the fingers hurt - what diseases can be discussed
The reasons that the joints of the fingers are most likely associated with one of the following diseases:
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disease of an inflammatory nature associated with damage to the small joints of the arms and legs.The inflammatory process more often affects the parallers - phalanx joints of the middle and index fingers.If in the morning the fingers swell and the joints hurt, this can be a sign of rheumatoid arthritis.
With exacerbation of the inflammatory process, the skin over the joints swells, blushes, becomes hot to the touch, under it you can feel dense nodules.The pains are so intense that a person cannot clench his hand into a fist.Rheumatoid arthritis is characterized by symmetrical damage to the joints of both hands.The main sign of the disease is the morning stiffness of the joints, accompanied by an increase in pain.
Usually in the evening the pain syndrome subsides.The danger of the disease is that the diagnosis is usually made in the later stages, when the cartilage is already destroyed.If your joints hurt and fingers go numb, try not to postpone the visit to the doctor, otherwise the neglected inflammatory process will lead to deformation of the fingers and hands and end with disabilities.
Psoriatic arthritis
This is one of the forms of psoriasis, when in addition to skin manifestations, distal (nail) joints of the phalanges of the fingers are involved in the inflammatory process.At the same time, a change in their shape is observed, they swell, swell, do not unbend, the skin blushes and inflams, and the fingers themselves become similar to sausages.
If the joints of the fingers of the right hand (for example, index and little finger) hurt, then according to the way the joints of the fingers of the left hand, you can confidently make a preliminary diagnosis.With psoriatic arthritis, the inflammatory process will be asymmetric, that is, the defeat will subject the phalanx of the middle and ring finger on the other hand.
Infectious and septic arthritis
These diseases usually proceed with severe pain in the joints and a deterioration in the general condition, which is manifested by an increase in temperature, chills, fever, symptoms of intoxication of the body.
Inflammation of the joint of a viral or bacterial nature is often associated with the lesion of one joint, where infectious agents penetrate through damage to the skin.But it is not uncommon and polyarthritis, when several joints are infected at once, in this case, inflammatory symptoms become especially pronounced.
Osteoarthrosis
This disease is not inflammatory and is manifested by deformation of the joints, their gradual thickening and limitation of mobility.If the joint on the finger hurts when bending, the fingers acquire a spindle form with a characteristic thickening in the middle, this indicates the development of osteoarthrosis.
The disease is characteristic of the elderly and is more often diagnosed in women after 40 years, which is associated with a change in the hormonal background and the onset of menopause.In addition, professional factors, metabolic disorders, genetic predisposition can become the causes of the development of osteoarthritis.
Gout
This disease is caused by metabolic disorders in which uric acid salts are deposited in the joints.Most often, gout is diagnosed with male representatives aged 40 - 60 years and this is associated with excessive use of fatty, spicy and salt food, as well as addiction to alcohol.
The defeat mainly plunges the fingers, but with an atypical course of the disease, the metacarpal phalanx joints of the thumb in the hands can also be affected.The pains with gout are burning, unbearable in nature.They differ in intensity and are accompanied by swelling and redness of the skin above the area of the affected joints.
Streaming ligamation
This pathological state looks like osteoarthrosis or arthritis.Therefore, to clarify the diagnosis, an X -ray examination is necessary.The main symptoms are: soreness when bending and extending the fingers, sometimes the joint can jam in a bent state and for its extension you have to apply a certain effort.
Therefore, if the joint of the middle finger hurts and the characteristic clicks are heard when it extends it, you need to consult a doctor as soon as possible.With an exacerbation of the inflammatory process, numbness of the fingers appears, a burning sensation, swelling, a bluish skin tone in the lesion.
Risatrosis
If the joint of the thumb hurts on the arm, this can be a sign of this pathology.The disease is usually associated with constant overload of the joint, the penetration of infection or injury.A characteristic feature is the increase in pain in the commission of certain actions, for example, turning the door handles, rotating the key in the lock, opening the lids.
It is necessary to treat the disease as early as possible, otherwise the joint is deformed, and the pain will become constant, pursuing a person even at rest.Over time, bone growths form at the base of the thumb, which practically immobilizes the brush and leads to disability, since the slightest movement causes unbearable pain.
Syndrome of the carpal channel
This disease is neurological in nature, since it develops as a result of compression of the middle nerve passing through the wrist.This happens due to regular loads on the joints and ligaments of the brush.In the risk zone there are faces, because of their profession, forced to constantly work with fingers (stenographers, computer scientists, musicians, artists).Pain is usually localized in the area of the thumb and forefinger, while the accuracy of movements is violated in the commission of certain actions.In addition, compression of the nerve can cause blood circulation and numbness of the fingers.
The appearance of pain in the joints of the hands can lead to a pinching of vertebrates, bursitis, rheumatological pathologies, an unhealthy lifestyle and other factors.It is important to pay attention to disturbing symptoms in a timely manner and seek qualified help.
Which doctor will help if the joints of the fingers hurt?
At the initial stage, you can make an appointment with the therapist, who, after collecting an anamnesis, will direct you to a narrow specialist (doctor - rheumatologist).It is this specialist who is engaged in joint diseases, he will provide the necessary assistance and make an accurate diagnosis.
Additionally, a consultation of a surgeon or neurologist may be needed.Based on the results of the examination, the doctor will prescribe the necessary treatment taking into account the cause of the joint damage, the severity of the symptoms, possible contraindications and individual characteristics of the patient.
Diagnostics
The measures necessary to make the correct diagnosis are visual examination, laboratory tests of blood, urine and the patient’s direction to an X -ray examination.The X -ray picture of the hands usually gives the necessary idea of the nature of the pathology and the degree of damage to the joints.
In order to get the most complete information about the nature of the pain and causes of the inflammatory process, the doctor can direct the patient to ultrasound, computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance tomography (MRI).These are the most modern and informative research methods that allow you to identify the slightest changes in the earliest stages of the disease and help prevent its further development and severe consequences associated with the deformation and destruction of the joints.
Sometimes, with suspicion of gout, a special blood test is carried out for the level of uric acid content.To identify pathological changes occurring in bone tissue, the procedure of contrast discography is used using a special coloring substance.
The most highly efficient diagnostic method today is electrospondylography, which began to be used several years ago.This procedure allows you to study the spinal departments responsible for the functioning of the upper limbs, and determine any pathological deviations from the norm at the earliest stages.
Methods of treatment
After making a diagnosis, the doctor selects the therapy scheme, depending on what causes causes pathological changes in the joints.The principles of treatment, if the joints of the hands are pain, are built on the use of medications, physiotherapeutic procedures, therapeutic exercises, adjust the diet and lifestyle.
In the presence of an inflammatory process, the doctor will prescribe painkillers, hormonal or non -steroidal anti -inflammatory drugs.These can be systemic drugs (oral tablets) or external medicines in the form of ointments, creams, sprays, which help to quickly relieve pain.The doctor can prescribe hormonal drugs in the form of injections into the joint cavity with severe pain.Such procedures quickly facilitate the patient's condition and contribute to the transition of the disease to a state of remission.With infectious arthritis, antibacterial agents are prescribed.
The development of degenerative diseases of the musculoskeletal system helps to reduce chondroitin levels in the cartilage tissue of the joint.Therefore, patients are prescribed drugs - chondroprotectors that allow you to stop further destruction of the joint and restore the structure of cartilage tissue.
Physiotherapeutic procedures
An important point of complex treatment is physiotherapy methods.These include electrophoresis with novocaine, UHF, magnetotherapy, laser treatment, amplipulsotherapy, phonophoresis.The number of sessions and the duration of treatment is determined by the doctor individually.
Therapeutic gymnastics and massage are necessary to restore joint mobility, improve blood circulation and metabolic processes.During periods of remission of the disease, the patient recommends balneotherapy sessions (treatment with natural mud), manual therapy.Sanatorium-resort treatment with leaving for favorable climatic zones gives a very good effect.
In addition, the patient is recommended to lead a healthy lifestyle, refuse to drink alcohol and smoking and adhere to some dietary restrictions.From the diet, it is advised to completely eliminate the fatty varieties of meat, fish, to abandon dairy and dairy products with a high degree of fat content.Smoothness, sharp, salty, pickled dishes, seasonings, mayonnaise, citrus fruits, butter pastries, strong tea and coffee are prohibited.You can not consume products containing sorrel acid (rhubarb, sorrel, spinach).
The daily menu should have low -fat dairy drinks, herbs, salads from fresh vegetables with vegetable oil, lean meat, seafood, low -fat fish varieties.Fruits, berries, nuts, ginger, figs, natural vegetable oils with a high omega - fatty acid (especially linseed and olive oil) are useful.A reinforced drinking regime up to 1.5 -2 liters of clean drinking water per day is recommended.
Alternative means
Today, on the shelves of pharmacies, you can find many innovative drugs intended for the treatment of articular pain.The most suitable drug will be selected by a specialist.
Recipes of traditional medicine
Folk remedies for pain in the joints of the fingers will complement the main treatment scheme, bring relief and accelerate recovery.
- With an exacerbation of the inflammatory process, a gauze napkin moistened in apple or table vinegar can be applied to the sore joint.This will help reduce the pain syndrome, relieve burning and swelling.You can make compresses from baked onions, boiled potatoes, or warming with hot sea salt and rubbing with fir oil.
- Boven onion ointment.The head of the onion is baked in the oven, cooled, crushed.The resulting mass is mixed with an equal amount of liquid honey and vegetable oil (1 tsp), add 10 g of bee wax and 20 g of dry grass of the golden mustache.The composition is boiled in a water bath, stirring continuously until the mixture becomes homogeneous and thickens.Ready ointment is removed from heat, slightly cooled.In warm form, rubbed into sore joints, put cotton gloves on top.The procedure is best done at night.
- MAZ of honey and mustard.For the preparation of the ointment, 5 g of mustard with 1 tsp are mixed.honey, add a large spoonful of olive oil and 20 g of dry leaves of the Caucasian frost.Next, the mixture is evaporated in a water bath to a thick, homogeneous state, cooled and used for daily processing of sore joints.
- Compresses.A special role in removing pain and inflammation belongs to compresses based on natural components.You can boil the potato tubers, crush it, wrap it hot in a gauze napkin and attach to the affected area.The same therapeutic effect is with ordinary salt, previously warmed in a pan.Dry heat helps to relieve pain and reduce inflammatory manifestations.As a compress, it is recommended to use ordinary chalk.It should be crushed, mixed with any sour -milk drink, soak a gauze napkin and make a compress at night.For the same purpose, steamed oatmeal can also be used.
- Tincture from lilacs.Decoctions and infusions of medicinal herbs have a good anti -inflammatory effect, help improve blood circulation and restore the mobility of the affected joints.Tincture is prepared in the spring as soon as the lilac blossoms.Collect inflorescences, pour them with alcohol or vodka and insist in a dark place for 3 weeks.The finished tincture is filtered and rubbed into the sore joints, and then put gloves so that the hands remain warm.
There are many folk recipes for treating articular pains.In order for their use to benefit, do not forget to consult a doctor first and get his approval for procedures.