Older people often complain that their finger joints hurt.This is due to various inflammatory processes, disorders and degenerative changes in the tissues of joints, cartilage, ligaments and tendons, as well as the consequences of injuries.But there are also many diseases that cause similar symptoms at a younger age.
In this situation, it is important to detect the cause of the pathology in time, so as not to start the disease, which without adequate treatment can lead to serious consequences.
Common Causes of Pain
The causes of discomfort in the joints of the fingers can be divided into 3 groups:
- Pain caused by inflammation.They are most pronounced in the morning and after the hands have been at rest for a long time.Decreases with physical activity.There are symptoms such as redness of the skin, swelling, and stiffness when bending and straightening the fingers.
- Pain associated with disruption of the structure of cartilage and bone tissue.Caused by age-related and hormonal changes, professional stress, and genetic predisposition.
- Mechanical and post-traumatic pain.Associated with prolonged physical activity and the consequences of injury.
Diseases with this symptomatology
Let's consider the most common inflammatory pathologies.
Rheumatoid arthritis
It can occur at any age and is more often diagnosed in women.The disease affects the joints of the middle and index fingers.It is characterized by morning swelling, stiffness of joint movements, increasing aching pain during the day and its decline in the evening.The skin in the area of damaged joints becomes red and swollen.The development of pathology leads to damage to larger joints of the hands and to disturbances in the functioning of internal organs.
Rheumatoid arthritis is also characterized by symmetry: when the fingers of the left hand are affected, damage also occurs on the right.A characteristic sign is the formation of rheumatoid nodes, deformation and curvature of the fingers.
Gout
Pathology associated with metabolic disorders and the formation of excess uric acid salts.It is formed in people who consume foods high in purines (meat, broths, smoked and salty foods, strong black tea and coffee).The pathology begins with damage to the joint of the thumb - pain at night, after wearing heavy objects, stiffness of movement, the formation of a pineal seal over the joint, redness and swelling of the skin.
Psoriatic arthritis
It is a consequence of psoriasis and is characterized by an inflammatory process in all finger joints, accompanied by redness, swelling, stiffness of movement, and a change in the appearance of the hands (fingers resemble sausages).The pathology is characterized by asymmetrical lesions: if pain occurs in the area of the little finger and index finger of the right hand, the middle and ring fingers may be affected on the left.The pain is localized in the area of the nail phalanx and occurs when bending the fingertips.
Reactive arthritis
With an infectious lesion of the body and the penetration of foreign microflora into the joints, a pathology may occur, characterized by acute pain lasting for several days, fever, chills and elevated temperature.Symptoms are more pronounced with multiple joint damage - polyarthritis.
Stenosing ligamentitis
Damage to the annular ligament of the fingers.Occurs as a result of the consequences of diabetes mellitus, rheumatoid arthritis, and excessive physical exertion.It is characterized by painful damage to all joints except the little finger; difficulties arise with flexion and extension of the fingers, which requires effort.During extension, clicks occur due to a violation of the elasticity of the ligaments and tendons.When the pathology worsens, swelling is observed, the skin turns blue, and a feeling of numbness occurs.Symptoms are most intense at night and in the morning.
Other inflammatory diseases
In addition, the causes of pain are:
- Arthralgia.Occurs as a result of inflammation or mechanical damage.The fingers become red and swollen, and difficulties arise even when performing the simplest operations.
- Rheumatism.It is a complication after a sore throat.In addition to joint pain, disturbances in the functioning of the cardiovascular system occur.
- Bursitis.Accumulation of fluid in the joint capsule, resulting in inflammation and swelling.When pressing on the pad of the affected finger, a sharp pain is noted.The skin takes on a dark red tint and the temperature may be elevated.Pathology most often develops as a consequence of injury.
Other disorders that provoke discomfort in the joints of the fingers may be tenosynovitis, osteomyelitis, de Quervain's disease, panaritium, etc.
Osteoarthritis
It is characterized by painful sensations provoked by the destruction of cartilage and bone tissue of the joints as a result of metabolic disorders, hormonal imbalances, professional stress, the consequences of injuries, and genetic predisposition.
The disease develops gradually, affecting all fingers in turn.The increase in pain is provoked by physical activity, the hands become numb and ache, and a characteristic crunching sound occurs when the fingers move.External changes affect the shape of the fingers: due to the thickening in the middle part, they resemble a spindle; with advanced disease, their curling is noted.This clinical picture is most pronounced in older people.
Varieties of osteoarthrosis are rhizarthrosis (damage and deformation of the thumb joint) and polyosteoarthrosis (impaired functioning of the interphalangeal joints).
Cervical osteochondrosis
With disorders of the musculoskeletal system associated with the cervical vertebrae, pinching of the nerve endings of the upper extremities occurs.Pain in the joints of the hands can occur when turning the head, sneezing, coughing.In its manifestation, it resembles an electric discharge passing along the hands.Patients experience numbness and stiffness when moving the hand.
The appearance of pain in the joints of the hands can be caused by mechanical damage and injuries, including:
- Bruises, pinches, burns, cuts.Injury to the periarticular or connective tissues occurs, in which the blood supply is disrupted or the nerve endings are damaged, causing pain.
- Dislocations.The most common is a dislocated thumb.A sharp pain appears, the area around the protruding joint turns red and swells.
- Damage to the ulnar nerve.With advanced neuropathy, numbness of the injured limbs and impaired motor functions occur.
- Tunnel syndrome.Damage to the joint of the index finger of the right hand associated with prolonged work at the computer.With prolonged stress, pinched nerve endings may occur.
- Vibration syndrome.Associated with the professional activities of people dealing with vibration technology.The pathology goes through several stages: from pain and numbness to complete loss of sensitivity in the fingers, which acquire a whitish tint due to insufficient blood supply to the vessels.
Who to contact and how to treat
If symptoms of pathology appear, the patient should consult a specialist (surgeon, traumatologist, rheumatologist, neurologist) or therapist to conduct diagnostic tests and prescribe adequate treatment.
Depending on the cause and symptoms of the pathology, the specialist will tell you what to do to eliminate the pain syndrome and restore the lost functions of the damaged organ.The scheme involves the use of physical and drug therapy, folk remedies, massage and therapeutic exercises.During treatment, it is important to follow a diet limiting foods that provoke the development of pathology.During the rehabilitation period, sanatorium-resort treatment is indicated.
Pain relief methods
At home, for injuries and mechanical damage to the joints, the patient is given first aid by applying an ice pack to the damaged area for 2-3 hours or treating the affected surface with an anesthetic (a product containing chlorethyl).In case of dislocations and non-displaced fractures of the limbs, it is important to ensure their immobilization before a medical examination.
For inflammatory pathologies, antibiotics, hormonal drugs, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and glucocorticosteroids are used.
For diseases associated with disorders of cartilage and bone tissues, chondroprotectors are used.
For minor inflammatory processes, local painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs are used.
Preventive measures
Joint diseases can be treated if you consult a doctor in a timely manner and follow the prescribed recommendations.The following will help prevent the development of pathologies: proper nutrition, absence of bad habits, and reduction of physical activity on the fingers.A good effect is achieved by performing a set of therapeutic exercises for the hands, massage of the limbs, relaxing and soothing baths with decoctions of medicinal plants.