Why do finger joint pain occur and how is it treated?

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

Articular disease requires an integrated approach. These include the use of medications, diet, physical therapy, special gymnastics and alternative medicine.

Possible causes of pain in finger joints

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

Poliosteoarthritis

Pain in the finger joints in 40% of cases is caused by this cause. This pathology is also often called polyarthrosis or knot. It belongs to dystrophy and is characterized by slow progression, which is why patients often neglect the first stage of the disease.

The disease most often strikes people over the age of 50 and is rare in people under 40.

The cause of polyosteoarthritis is often referred to as hereditary, but there are other provoking factors:

• climax;
• material exchange violations;
• pathology of the thyroid and other endocrine glands;
• diabetes mellitus.

Joints contain cartilage that begins to deteriorate. This means that natural lubrication is disrupted, causing dryness and cracking.

Due to lack of lubrication and drying, the articular cartilage rubs against each other, provoking the inflammatory process. Against this background, abnormal inflammatory joint fluid is produced, expanding the joint from within. As a result, their deformation occurs, accompanied by a painful sensation.

Polyosteoarthritis is accompanied by other symptoms. They are mainly represented by Bouchard and Heberden nodules:

• Bouchard nodulesare slow development without complications. They usually form on the lateral surface of the joint, giving it a fusiform shape.
• Heberden nodulesaffect the distal interphalangeal joints on their buttocks and laterals. They are characterized by the development of symmetry on both hands. Node formation is often accompanied by swelling and redness of the skin around the joints. Painful sensations and burning sensations appear, although in 30% of cases the pathology is not symptomatic.

During polyosteoarthritis, joint spasms increase. The pathological consequences are the knotted fingers.

Rheumatoid Arthritis and Disease Still

The disease belongs to the systemic pathology of connective tissue and has complex autoimmune pathogenesis. Pathology is rare in patients under 30 years of age. In men, it occurs 5 times less often.

The signs of rheumatoid arthritis depend on the stage:

1. The early stages of the disease are characterized by periarticular edema of the bursae. This leads to pain, swelling of the periarticular area, and an increase in local temperature.
2. In the second stage, the cells begin to divide rapidly, as a result of which the synovium becomes denser.
3. In the third stage, the inflamed cells produce enzymes that affect the cartilage and bones, so that the affected joints are usually deformed. This stage is accompanied by increased pain and loss of motor function.

There are three possible groups of causes of rheumatoid arthritis:

• Descendants.
• Infection. Pathological changes can be caused by some paramyxovirus, herpes virus, hepatovirus, retrovirus.
• Trigger factors. Pathological changes can be triggered by hypothermia, intoxication, stress, taking certain medications, hyperinsolation, endocrinopathy.

Still disease is a form of rheumatoid arthritis. Often accompanied by fever, rash, and itching. The disease is more frequently diagnosed in children. In addition to the joints, Still disease can affect the lymph nodes, provoking pleurisy, pericarditis.

Psoriatic Arthritis

This pathology is one form of arthritis and can occur after 20 years. It develops with a background of psoriasis, but in some cases precedes.

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

• swelling of the joints;
• Acquisition by skin in periarticular area with bluish purple color;
• appearance of bruises and depression on nails;
• a little stiffness.

There is a destructive form of pathology characterized by rapid bone erosion. It is fraught with loss of joint mobility.

The inflammatory process can affect not only the joints, but also some organs. The characteristics of psoriasis skin plaques in the form of arthritis are often accompanied by the appearance of acne.

The possible causes of psoriatic arthritis are as follows:

• alcohol abuse;
• smoking;
• pressure;
• skin damage;
• side effects of some medications;
• changes in hormone levels;
• excess 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 pathological symptoms - the clinical picture depends on the causative agent of the infection.

The main symptoms of this disease are:

• pain;
• movement limit;
• hyperemia of the affected area;
• swollen.

Since the pathological cause is infection, it can be accompanied by fever, chills, and intoxication syndrome.

Infectious arthritis can develop against the background of other diseases - rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, diabetes mellitus, obesity. The reasons may be alcohol and drug addiction, sexually transmitted infections.

Gout

This pathology is also called gouty arthritis. It is a metabolic disease. In this case, uric acid or sodium monourate is stored in body tissues. In women, gout is more rare.

Pathology is characterized by paroxysmal character. Exacerbation episodes can last from 3 days to one and a half weeks. The attack is characterized by a sharp appearance and the same rapid cessation. The presence of seizures means an inflammatory process.

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

• the pain worsens with movement;
• skin on inflamed joints turns red;
• body temperature rises;
• tophus forms around inflamed joints - growth of whiteness under the skin;
• lesions are usually unilateral.

In addition to the acute period, there are levels of latent and chronic pathology. In the first case, the course of the disease is not symptomatic, and the only sign is hyperuricemia (blood test indication). Chronic levels are characterized by prolonged remission.

Rhizarthrosis

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

Trauma is the cause of this pathology occurring in every second person. It can be household or sports.

There are other pathological causes:

• incomplete recovery in the event of a wrist fracture;
• minor injuries remain on joint capsules;
• descent;
• articular dysplasia;
• disorders of the endocrine system;
• metabolic disorders;
• effects of certain drugs that cause changes in cartilage tissue.

There are 3 stages of pathology:

1. At first, the person is just experiencing discomfort.
2. Then bone growth appears, and the painful sensation increases due to nerve end exposure.
3. In the last stage, the thumb is severely deformed, and its movement can be completely lost.

Pain is a major symptom of the disease. It increases with movement, decreased atmospheric pressure, under cold or hot water. At first, the pain is excruciating, and in the final stages of the pathology, it becomes intolerable.

De Quervain Disease (tenosynovitis)

In this case, only the thumb ligament is inflamed. This pathology is provoked by constant and monotonous hand movements, which cause minor damage to the tendons running along the wrist. Trauma can be the cause of other diseases.

Disease is often a companion of people with certain professions:

• musicians;
• stitching;
• painter;
• athletes (tennis players, skiers);
• mason;
• typist.

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 - by pressing, lengthening, trying to grasp the object.

Stenosing ligamentitis

This pathology is also called Knott's disease or little finger. The cause is inflammation of the tendon and the formation of nodes on it.

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

A painful sensation occurs when the finger is flexed and lengthened. In addition to pain, other symptoms are characteristic of this disease:

• numb;
• increased sensitivity;
• swollen joints;
• formation of bumps (nodes).

Ligamentitis stenosis can be triggered by rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes mellitus, high pressure on the joints.

Risk Factors

In each pathology, there are several possible causes of its development. There are also a number of risk factors that cause finger joints to tend to develop:

• hereditary tendencies;
• chronic infections;
• immune system disease;
• material exchange pathology;
• hormonal background changes;
• trauma and microtrauma;
• long-term negative effects.

Diagnostics

When a painful sensation in a finger joint first appears, they usually turn to a therapist who prescribes an initial examination and sends it to a narrower specialist - surgeon, neurologist, traumatologist, arthrologist, rheumatologist, orthopedist, reflexologist, osteopath, endocrinologist, nutritionist, phthisiatrician.

However, the diagnosis begins with a visual examination. After that, 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, breakdown of globulin, amount of iron).

Joint puncture belongs to laboratory methods. The needle is inserted into the cavity to collect synovial fluid. This test is also called arthrocentesis.

From instrumental diagnostic methods, the following studies can be performed according to the situation:

• X-ray.This method allows you to identify trauma, fractures, tumors and other damage to bone tissue.
• Ultrasound scan.This technique is used to examine soft tissues. In addition, by using ultrasound examination, you can check the condition of the vessel.
• Tomography- computer, magnetic resonance imaging. CT is better used to examine bone structure - an examination similar to X-rays, but more information. MRI is more effective in studying soft tissues
• Skintigraphy.This research was done using radio indicators.
• Electrocardiogram.Such a diagnosis allows you to examine whether the pathology has affected the heart.

Treatment of pain in the fingers of the hand joint

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

Drug therapy

Various drugs form the basis of treatment for most diseases.

If there are joint lesions, use the following medication:

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.The 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, injections.
• Antibiotics.Such drugs are used in inflammatory processes, as well as the origin of infectious pathology. For the appointment of antibiotic therapy, the causative agent of the disease is first identified to determine its sensitivity to the drug.
• Glucocorticosteroids.This drug is steroid and anti-inflammatory. Their actions speed up the recovery process. They are also available in various dosage forms.
• Chondroprotectors.This medicine is used as part of a comprehensive treatment. They speed up the recovery process, preventing the recurrence of pathology.
• Analgesicscan be used for severe intolerable pain. This can be a local remedy in the form of a cream or gel, or a drug for oral or injectable administration.
• Immunosuppressant.Such drugs are used when the pathology is autoimmune.

Medication can only be prescribed by a doctor. Each patient needs an individual approach, therefore, even with the same disease in different people, the group of drugs needed can vary radically.

Traditional medicine

Alternative medicine is used in the treatment of various diseases, including diseases affecting the joints.

The following folk recipes can be effective:

• Dilute propolis and mix with vegetable oil - sunflower or corn oil is more suitable. The resulting composition should be used as an ointment, rubbing it into the affected area.
• Rub with honey and carrots. Products must be mixed in equal parts.
• Dissolve a tablespoon of mustard powder in half a glass of vodka and massage the affected area with this composition.
• Boil unpeeled potatoes, knead and apply a warm compress on the inflamed area.
• Grind onions to a soft state and apply compress on the affected area. You need to keep it for half an hour, repeating the procedure up to three times a day.
• The color of purple flowers helps. You need to fill 3 tbsp. l. raw with a glass of vodka and leave for a week in the dark. Rub the affected area with a tense mixture daily for at least half a month.
• Boil the rolled oats until it acquires a gelatinous consistency, slightly cool, soak the bandage in it and apply to the affected area, fix with polyethylene. Remove the compress after an hour.
• If there is inflammation, dissolve 1 tsp. baking soda in milk and beverages.
• If the inflammatory process worsens, you can apply fresh cabbage leaves smeared with honey to the affected area.
• Limbs with affected joints can be kept in the bath with the addition of birch broth.
• Heat salt or buckwheat in a pan, place in a cloth bag and apply to the affected area, leave for a few hours.
• It is useful to use the infusion of bay leaf in it. 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 need to take one tablespoon of such medicine.
• For joint pathology, it is useful to use juice. A glass of cranberry or lingonberry juice, birch juice is enough every day.

Traditional medicine is only suitable in the early stages of pathological development. In other cases, it should be used in conjunction with traditional methods. Self-medication may not bring results, and the pathology will only get worse over the years.

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy is one component of a comprehensive approach to joint pathology. It is performed only as directed by a doctor. There are many methods of physiotherapy, so the appropriate choice is chosen individually.

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

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

Various therapeutic methods are designed to restore joint mobility, restore blood circulation, muscle tone, improve metabolic processes, and accelerate recovery.

Any method of physiotherapy has certain contraindications, therefore, it is advisable to use such methods only as prescribed by a doctor.

Finger Gymnastics

Special finger training is part of a comprehensive treatment approach. Such gymnastics allows you to restore blood circulation and mobility, reduce pain, and have a general strengthening effect.

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

The following exercises are effective for various articular pathologies:

• Punch clenched and undressed. You need to clench your hands gently until your thumb is on top of the rest. In this position, you should linger for 0. 5-1 minutes, then release your fist, spreading your fingers as much as possible. You need to do at least 4 repetitions for each hand.
• Finger warming. You need to place your palms on a hard surface and press hard. Alternately lift each finger upwards, doing 10 repetitions for each hand.
• Contacts. You need to turn the hand with the palm of the hand towards you and alternately connect the ends of each finger with the tip of the thumb, forming a circle. Each contact must be held for 0. 5-1 minutes. Perform 4 or more repetitions for each hand.
• Thumb Exercises. The palms should be on a firm surface. You need to move your thumb over it, maximizing it from the rest. At extreme levels, you should linger for 0, 5-1 minutes, then return to the starting position. Do 10-15 repetitions for each hand. Exercise every 2-3 days.
• There are other thumb exercises. You should turn the hand with the palm of your hand towards you, move the thumb to the side as much as possible, and then bend it until the tip touches the base of the little finger. At this point, you need to linger for 0. 5-1 minutes. Perform 4 or more representatives per hand.
• Brush stretch. You need to place your palms on the table and straighten the comb until it is flat. In this position, you need to hold for 0. 5-1 minutes. Do 4 repetitions for each hand.
• Finger stretching. You need to turn your hand with the palm of your hand towards you and bend the finger until it touches the skin at the base. In this position, you should linger for 0. 5-1 minutes, then straighten your fingers smoothly. Perform 4 or more representatives per hand.
• Thumb stretching. You need to turn your hand with the palm of your hand towards you and bend your thumb until the tip touches the base of the index finger. In this position, you need to linger for 0. 5-1 minutes, do 4 repetitions.
• There are other options for stretching the thumb. The starting position is the same. The thumb should be pulled to the base of the little finger, just moving the lower joint. At extreme points, lingering for 0, 5-1 minutes, do 4 repetitions for each hand.
• Strengthens exercise. You need to take the ball softly and squeeze it as much as possible, lingering on the extreme point for a few seconds. Perform 10-15 repetitions for each hand. The exercise itself should be done not every day, but every 2-3 days, resting on your hands.
• Cubit. This exercise also requires a soft ball. It must be pinched until there is a thumb on one side and everything else on the other side. In this position, you need to linger for 0. 5-1 minutes. You need to do 10-15 repetitions for each hand. Exercise every 2-3 days.

In addition to exercises like this, it is also useful to work with clay or plasticine. The material can only be rolled and kneaded or made into various crafts.

Finger gymnastics should not be done when the pain is too strong. In this case, exercise can only be harmful.

Diet

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

Diet should be organized according to the following principles:

• Normalization of weight. This is required for deviations in either direction. If there is a disruption of fat metabolism, lipids are stored in the joints.
• Salt restrictions. If there is too much in the body, then the joints lose elasticity.
• Avoid alcohol.
• 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.
• It is better to reject meat broth or use secondary broth.
• It is better to use meat not in pure form, but as a piece of meat, meatballs, meatballs.
• With gout, you need to get rid of oily fish, caviar, cod liver, entrails, eggs, butter with cream, fatty sour cream, nuts.
• You should reject sweets, confectionery products, cereals after pre-treatment, immediate products.
• Diet should be saturated with vitamin C. For this you need citrus, blueberries, apples, peppers, black currants, Brussels sprouts, broccoli.

Prevention

Any disease is easier to prevent than to cure. As prophylaxis for various finger articular lesions, the following steps are appropriate:

• Proper nutrition. The diet should be rich in fresh fruits and vegetables, complex carbohydrates, lean protein foods and unsaturated fatty acids.
• Adequate intake of vitamins and minerals. If there is not enough in the diet, then you should use funds from the pharmacy.
• Proper drinking rules. Lack of fluid slows down metabolism, which interferes with blood circulation and joint nutrition, and reduces the amount of synovial fluid in it. The drinking regime should be based on clean water without gas. On average, you need to drink 2 liters of fluid daily.
• No bad habits.
• Adequate physical activity. Essential for the rate of normal metabolic processes in the body, good blood circulation, strengthening the periarticular muscles and ligaments.
• Special gymnastics for fingers. It is especially important when the fingers are under constant pressure. This is common in some athletes and professions.
• Competent replacement of activities and breaks. Night sleep must be complete.
• Minimum pressure.
• Regular medical check-ups. They can detect the early stages of the pathology or prerequisites for its development, allowing you to take the necessary steps in a timely manner.

Pain in the finger joints cannot be ignored. Although there are no accompanying symptoms, such a phenomenon may be the first sign of serious pathology. An integrated approach is used in the treatment of joint disease. The method of therapy should be prescribed by a doctor, as each patient requires an individual approach.