Elderly people often complain that their finger joints hurt.This is due to various inflammatory processes, disorders and degenerative changes in the tissues of the joints, cartilages, 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 finger joints can be divided into 3 groups:
- Pain caused by inflammation.They are most 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.It is caused by age and hormonal 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 look at 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 pain during the day and its decrease in the evening.The skin in the area of the damaged joints becomes red and swollen.The development of the pathology leads to damage to the larger joints of the hands and to disturbances in the functioning of the internal organs.
Rheumatoid arthritis is also characterized by symmetry: when the fingers of the left hand are affected, damage also occurs to the right.A characteristic sign is the formation of rheumatoid nodules, deformation and curvature of the fingers.
gout
Pathology associated with metabolic disorders and formation of excess uric acid salts.It is formed in people who consume foods with a high purine content (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 movements, formation of an epiphyseal 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 joints of the fingers, accompanied by redness, swelling, stiffness of movements and a change in the appearance of the hands (fingers look like sausages).The pathology is characterized by asymmetric 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 tips of the fingers.
Reactive arthritis
In case of infectious damage to the body and penetration of foreign microflora into the joints, a pathology characterized by acute pain lasting several days, fever, chills and fever may occur.Symptoms are more pronounced in multiple joint damage - polyarthritis.
Stenotic ligamentitis
Damage to the annular ligament of the fingers.It occurs as a result of the effects of diabetes mellitus, rheumatoid arthritis and excessive physical exertion.It is characterized by painful damage to all joints, except for the little finger;there is difficulty in bending and extending the fingers, which requires effort.During extension, 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 most intense at night and in the morning.
Other inflammatory diseases
In addition, the causes of pain are:
- Arthralgia.It occurs as a result of inflammation or mechanical damage.Fingers become red and swollen, difficulties arise even in performing the simplest operations.
- rheumatism.This is a complication after a sore throat.In addition to pain in the joints, there are disorders in the work of the cardiovascular system.
- bursitis.A build-up of fluid in the joint capsule, leading to inflammation and swelling.When pressing on the pad of the affected finger, a sharp pain is noted.The skin acquires a dark red hue and the temperature may be elevated.Pathology most often develops as a result of an injury.
Other disorders that provoke discomfort in the joints of the fingers can be tenosynovitis, osteomyelitis, Kerven's disease, panaritium, etc.
Osteoarthritis
It is characterized by painful sensations provoked by the destruction of the cartilage and bone tissue of the joints as a result of metabolic disorders, hormonal imbalance, occupational stress, 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 when the fingers move, a characteristic crunching sound appears.External changes affect the shape of the fingers: due to the thickening in the middle part, they resemble a spindle;with advanced disease, their coiling is noted.This clinical picture is most pronounced in the elderly.
Varieties of osteoarthritis are rhizarthrosis (damage and deformation of the thumb joint) and polyosteoarthrosis (impaired functioning of the interphalangeal joints).
Cervical osteochondrosis
In disorders of the musculoskeletal system related to the cervical vertebrae, pinching of the nerve endings of the upper limbs occurs.Pain in the joints of the hands can appear when turning the head, sneezing, coughing.In its manifestation, it resembles an electric discharge passing through the hands.Patients experience numbness and stiffness when moving the arm.
The appearance of pain in the joints of the hands can be caused by mechanical damage and injuries, including:
- Bruises, pinches, burns, cuts.An injury occurs to the periarticular or connective tissues, where blood supply is disrupted or nerve endings are damaged, causing pain.
- Dislocations.The most common is a sprained thumb.Sharp pain appears, the area around the protruding joint becomes red and swollen.
- Ulnar nerve damage.In advanced neuropathy, numbness occurs in the affected limbs and impaired motor function.
- Tunnel syndrome.Damage to the joint of the index finger of the right hand associated with prolonged computer work.With prolonged stress, pinching of nerve endings may occur.
- Vibration syndrome.Related to 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 hue due to insufficient blood supply to the vessels.
Who to contact and how to get treatment
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 includes the use of physical and drug therapy, folk remedies, massage and therapeutic exercises.During the treatment, it is important to follow a diet limiting the foods that provoke the development of the pathology.During the rehabilitation period, sanatorium-resort treatment is indicated.
Methods of pain relief
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 chloroethyl).In the case of dislocations and non-displaced fractures of the limbs, it is important to ensure their immobilization before a medical examination.
In inflammatory pathologies, antibiotics, hormonal drugs, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and glucocorticosteroids are used.
Chondroprotectors are used in diseases associated with disorders of cartilage and bone tissue.
For mild inflammatory processes, local pain relievers and anti-inflammatory agents 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, the absence of bad habits and the reduction of physical activity of the fingers.A good effect is achieved by performing a complex of therapeutic exercises for the hands, massage of the limbs, relaxing and soothing baths with decoctions of medicinal plants.