Older people often complain of pain in their finger joints.The reason for this are various inflammatory processes, disorders and degenerative changes in the tissue 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 identify the cause of the pathology in a timely manner so as not to provoke the disease, which can have serious consequences without proper treatment.
Common causes of pain
The causes of discomfort in the finger joints can be divided into 3 groups:
- Pain caused by inflammation.They are most pronounced in the morning and after the hands have rested for a long time.Decreases with physical activity.Symptoms include redness of the skin, swelling and stiffness when bending and straightening the fingers.
- Pain associated with disruption of the cartilage and bone structure.Caused by age-related and hormonal changes, occupational stress and genetic predisposition.
- Mechanical and post-traumatic pain.Associated with prolonged physical activity and the consequences of injuries.
Diseases with these symptoms
Let's consider the most common inflammatory diseases.
Rheumatoid arthritis
It can occur at any age and is more commonly 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 pain during the day and its decrease 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 dysfunction of internal organs.
Rheumatoid arthritis is also characterized by symmetry: if the fingers of the left hand are affected, damage to the right hand also occurs.A characteristic sign is the formation of rheumatoid nodules, 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 eat foods high in purines (meat, broths, smoked and salty foods, strong black tea and coffee).The pathology begins with damage to the thumb joint - pain at night, after carrying heavy objects, stiffness of movement, 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 of the left hand may be affected.The pain is localized in the area of the nail phalanx and occurs when bending the fingertips.
Reactive arthritis
With infectious damage to the body and the penetration of foreign microflora into the joints, pathology may occur, characterized by acute pain lasting several days, fever, chills and increased temperature.With multiple joint damage - polyarthritis - the symptoms are more pronounced.
Stenosing ligamentitis
Damage to the ring 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 when bending and straightening the fingers, which requires effort.When stretching, clicking noises occur due to a violation of the elasticity of the ligaments and tendons.As the pathology worsens, swelling is observed, the skin turns blue, and numbness appears.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 in the simplest operations.
- Rheumatism.It is a complication after a sore throat.In addition to joint pain, dysfunction of the cardiovascular system occurs.
- Bursitis.Accumulation of fluid in the joint capsule, causing inflammation and swelling.A stabbing pain can be felt when you press the tip of the affected finger.The skin turns dark red and the temperature may be elevated.Pathology most often develops as a result of injury.
Other diseases that cause discomfort in the finger joints can be tenosynovitis, osteomyelitis, de Quervain's disease, panaritium, etc.
Osteoarthritis
It is characterized by painful sensations caused by the destruction of cartilage and bone tissue of the joints as a result of metabolic disorders, hormonal imbalances, occupational stress, the consequences of injuries and genetic predisposition.
The disease develops gradually and affects all fingers one after the other.The increase in pain is provoked by physical activity, the hands become numb and painful, and a characteristic crunch 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;When the disease is advanced, its curling is noted.This clinical picture is most pronounced in older people.
Types of osteoarthritis are rhizarthrosis (damage and deformation of the thumb joint) and polyosteoarthrosis (dysfunction of the interphalangeal joints).
Cervical osteochondrosis
In diseases of the musculoskeletal system associated with the cervical vertebrae, the nerve endings of the upper extremities are pinched.Pain in the joints of the hands may occur when turning the head, sneezing and coughing.In appearance it resembles an electrical discharge that passes over the hands.When moving the hand, patients experience a feeling of numbness and stiffness.
The appearance of pain in the joints of the hands can be caused by mechanical damage and injuries, including:
- Bruises, bruises, burns, cuts.Injury to the periarticular or connective tissue occurs, disrupting blood supply or damaging nerve endings, resulting in pain.
- Dislocations.The most common condition is a dislocated thumb.Stinging pain occurs, the area around the protruding joint turns red and swells.
- Damage to the ulnar nerve.Advanced neuropathy results in numbness of the injured limbs and impaired motor functions.
- Tunnel syndrome.Damage to the index finger joint of the right hand due to prolonged work at the computer.Prolonged stress can lead to pinched nerve endings.
- Vibration syndrome.Associated with the professional activity of people dealing with vibration technology.The pathology goes through several stages: from pain and numbness to complete loss of sensitivity of the fingers, which acquire a whitish tint due to insufficient blood supply to the vessels.
Who to contact and how to treat
If pathological symptoms appear, the patient should consult a specialist (surgeon, traumatologist, rheumatologist, neurologist) or therapist to conduct diagnostic tests and prescribe appropriate 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 program includes the use of physical and drug therapy, folk remedies, massage and therapeutic exercises.During treatment, it is important to adhere to a diet that limits foods that provoke the development of pathology.During the rehabilitation phase, spa treatment is indicated.
Pain relief methods
At home, the patient receives first aid for injuries and mechanical damage to the joints by applying an ice pack to the damaged area for 2-3 hours or treating the affected surface with an anesthetic (a product containing chloroethyl).In the case of dislocations and non-displaced fractures of the limbs, it is important to ensure their immobilization before a medical examination.
For inflammatory diseases, antibiotics, hormonal drugs, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and glucocorticosteroids are used.
Chondroprotectors are used for diseases that are accompanied by disorders of cartilage and bone tissue.
For minor inflammatory processes, local painkillers and anti-inflammatory medications are used.
Preventive measures
Joint diseases can be treated if you consult a doctor on time and follow the prescribed recommendations.The following will help prevent the development of pathologies: proper nutrition, absence of bad habits and reducing physical activity on the fingers.A good effect is achieved by a set of therapeutic exercises for the hands, massage of the limbs, as well as relaxing and soothing baths with decoctions of medicinal plants.