Older people often complain of pain in their finger joints.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 trigger the disease, which, without adequate treatment, can lead to serious consequences.
Common causes of pain
The causes of discomfort in the finger joints can be divided into 3 groups:
- Pain caused by inflammation.They are more pronounced in the morning and after prolonged rest of the hands.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 hormonal and age-related changes, occupational 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 decrease in the evening.The skin over damaged joints becomes red and swollen.The development of pathology leads to damage to larger joints of the hands and disruptions 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 rich in purines (meat, broths, smoked and salty foods, strong black tea and coffee).Pathology begins with damage to the thumb joint - pain at night, after carrying heavy objects, stiffness of movements, the formation of a pineal seal on 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 movements and a change in the appearance of the hands (the fingers resemble sausages).The pathology is characterized by asymmetrical lesions: if pain occurs in the little finger and index finger of the right hand, the middle and ring fingers can be affected on the left.The pain is localized at the level of the nail phalanx and occurs when bending the fingertips.
Reactive arthritis
In case of 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 high temperature.Symptoms are more pronounced in cases of 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 lesions of all joints except the little finger;difficulties arise with flexion and extension of the fingers, which requires effort.When extending, clicks occur due to a violation of the elasticity of ligaments and tendons.When the pathology worsens, swelling is observed, the skin turns blue and a feeling of numbness appears.Symptoms are more intense at night and in the morning.
Other inflammatory diseases
Additionally, 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 with the simplest operations.
- Rheumatism.It's a complication after a sore throat.In addition to joint pain, disorders in the functioning of the cardiovascular system occur.
- Bursitis.Accumulation of fluid in the joint capsule, leading to inflammation and swelling.When pressing on the pulp of the affected finger, sharp pain is noted.The skin turns a dark red color and the temperature may be high.Pathology most often develops as a result of injury.
Other disorders causing 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 in the joints due to metabolic disorders, hormonal imbalances, occupational stress, consequences of injuries and genetic predispositions.
The disease develops gradually, affecting all the fingers in turn.Increased pain is caused by physical activity, the hands become numb and painful, and a characteristic cracking sound occurs when the fingers move.External changes affect the shape of the fingers: due to the thickening of the middle part, they resemble a spindle;with advanced disease, their curling is noted.This clinical picture is more pronounced in older people.
Varieties of osteoarthritis are rhizarthrosis (damage and deformation of the thumb joint) and polyarthrosis (impaired functioning of the interphalangeal joints).
Cervical osteochondrosis
In case of 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 may occur when turning the head, sneezing or coughing.In its manifestation, it resembles an electric discharge passing along the hands.Patients feel numbness and stiffness when moving their hand.
The appearance of pain in the joints of the hands can be caused by mechanical damage and injuries, including:
- Bruises, pinches, burns, cuts.Damage to periarticular or connective tissues occurs, in which blood supply is disrupted or nerve endings are damaged, causing pain.
- Dislocations.The most common is a thumb dislocation.Sharp pain appears, the area around the protruding joint turns red and swells.
- Damage to the ulnar nerve.In advanced neuropathy, numbness of injured limbs and impaired motor functions occur.
- Tunnel syndrome.Damage to the index finger joint of the right hand associated with prolonged work at the computer.With prolonged stress, pinched nerve endings can 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 the 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 carry out 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 program involves the use of physical and drug therapy, folk remedies, massage and therapeutic exercises.During treatment, it is important to follow a diet that limits foods provoking the development of pathology.During the rehabilitation period, sanatorium treatment is indicated.
Pain relief methods
At home, in case of 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 the event 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, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and glucocorticosteroids are used.
For diseases associated with disorders of cartilage and bone tissue, chondroprotectors are used.
For minor inflammatory processes, local painkillers and anti-inflammatories 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 elements will help prevent the development of pathologies: a good diet, the absence of bad habits and a reduction in physical activity on the fingers.A good effect is achieved by performing a set of therapeutic exercises for the hands, massages of the limbs, relaxing and soothing baths with decoctions of medicinal plants.