Older people often complain of pain in their finger joints.This is due to the consequences of various inflammatory processes, diseases and degenerative changes in joints, cartilage, ligaments and tendon tissues, as well as injuries.But there are many diseases that can cause similar symptoms at a young age.
In this case, it is important to detect the pathological cause in time to avoid the onset of the disease, which, if not treated appropriately, can lead to serious consequences.
Common causes of pain
Causes of finger joint discomfort can be divided into three categories:
- Pain caused by inflammation.They are most noticeable in the morning and after the hands have been rested for a long time.Decreases with physical activity.Symptoms such as redness, swelling, and stiffness of the skin may occur when bending and straightening the fingers.
- Pain associated with structural destruction of cartilage and bone tissue.Caused by age-related hormonal changes, occupational stress, and genetic predispositions.
- Mechanical pain and post-traumatic pain.Related to prolonged physical activity and the consequences of injury.
Diseases with this symptom
Let's consider the most common inflammatory pathologies.
rheumatoid arthritis
It can occur at any age and is more common in women.This disease affects the joints of the middle and index fingers.It is characterized by swelling in the morning, stiffness in joint movement, increased pain during the day, and decreased pain at night.The skin in the area of the damaged joint becomes red and swollen.The development of the pathology leads to damage to the large joints of the hand and dysfunction of the internal organs.
Rheumatoid arthritis is also characterized by symmetry: when the fingers of the left hand are affected, the fingers of the right hand are also affected.A typical symptom is the formation of rheumatoid nodules, deformation and bending of the fingers.
gout
Pathologies associated with metabolic disorders and excessive urate formation.It develops in people who eat high-purine foods (meats, broths, smoked and salty foods, strong black tea and coffee).The pathology begins with damage to the thumb joint - pain at night, after wearing heavy objects, stiffness of movement, the formation of a pineal gland 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 movement and changes in the appearance of the hands (fingers resemble sausages).The pathological feature is the asymmetry of the lesions: if the pain occurs in the area of the little and index fingers of the right hand, the middle and ring fingers of the left may be affected.The pain is localized to the phalangeal area of the nail and occurs when the fingertip is bent.
reactive arthritis
As infectious lesions of the body and foreign microorganisms invade the joints, a pathology may develop that is characterized by acute pain, fever, chills and elevated body temperature lasting several days.Symptoms of multiple joint injuries (polyarthritis) are more pronounced.
stenosing tendonitis
Injury to the annular ligament of the finger.Occurs as a consequence of diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and excessive physical exertion.It is characterized by painful damage to all joints except the little finger; bending and extending the fingers can be difficult and require effort.During stretching, a clicking sound occurs due to a breakdown in the elasticity of ligaments and tendons.When the pathology worsens, swelling occurs, the skin turns blue, and numbness develops.Symptoms are most severe at night and in the morning.
Other inflammatory diseases
In addition, other causes of pain include:
- Joint pain.Occurs due to inflammation or mechanical injury.The fingers become red and swollen, making even the simplest operations difficult.
- Rheumatism.This is a complication of a sore throat.In addition to joint pain, dysfunction of the cardiovascular system can occur.
- Bursitis.Fluid builds up in the joint capsule, causing inflammation and swelling.Severe pain occurs when the pulp of the affected finger is pressed.The skin is dark red and may have an elevated temperature.Pathology most often occurs as a result of injury.
Other conditions that cause discomfort in the finger joints may be tenosynovitis, osteomyelitis, Queven's disease, Panalit's disease, etc.
osteoarthritis
It is characterized by pain caused by the destruction of joint cartilage and bone tissue due to metabolic disorders, hormonal imbalances, occupational stress, consequences of injuries and genetic predispositions.
The disease progresses gradually, affecting all fingers in turn.The pain increases with physical activity, the hands become numb and painful, and the fingers make a characteristic crunching sound when moved.External changes affect the shape of the fingers: due to thickening in the middle, they take on a spindle shape; in advanced disease, their curling is noteworthy.This clinical manifestation is most obvious in the elderly.
Osteoarthrosis includes radicular joint disease (damage and deformation of the thumb joint) and polyostosis (impaired function of the interphalangeal joints).
cervical osteochondrosis
Nerve endings in the upper limbs can become compressed due to musculoskeletal disorders related to the cervical spine.Hand joint pain may occur when turning the head, sneezing, or coughing.In its presentation, it resembles an electric discharge along the hand.Patients experience numbness and stiffness when moving their hands.
The onset of hand joint pain can be caused by mechanical damage and injuries, including:
- Bruises, pinches, burns, cuts.Pain occurs when the surrounding or connective tissue around the joint is injured, the blood supply is interrupted, or the nerve endings are damaged.
- dislocation.The most common is thumb dislocation.Severe pain occurs and the area around the protruding joint becomes red and swollen.
- Ulnar nerve injury.Advanced neuropathy can cause numbness and impaired motor function in the injured limb.
- Tunnel syndrome.Working in front of a computer for long periods of time can cause damage to the index finger joint of your right hand.If you are stressed for a long time, nerve endings may become compressed.
- Vibration syndrome.Relevant to the professional activities of persons dealing with vibration technology.The pathological process goes through several stages: from pain and numbness to complete loss of sensitivity of the fingers, which appear white due to insufficient blood supply to the blood vessels.
Who to contact and how to get treatment
In case of pathological symptoms, the patient should consult a specialist (surgeon, traumatologist, rheumatologist, neurologist) or therapist, perform diagnostic tests and adopt appropriate treatment.
Depending on the cause and symptoms of the pathology, experts will tell you how to eliminate the pain syndrome and restore the lost functions of the damaged organ.The program involves the use of physical and pharmacological therapies, folk remedies, massage and therapeutic exercises.During treatment, it is important to follow a dietary restriction of foods that cause the development of pathology.During recovery, health resort treatments are required.
Ways to relieve pain
At home, for joint injuries and mechanical injuries, patients can perform first aid by applying ice packs to the injured area for 2-3 hours or treating the affected surface with an anesthetic (products containing ethyl chloride).With dislocated limbs and nondisplaced fractures, it is important to ensure they are immobilized before performing a physical examination.
For inflammatory pathology, antibiotics, hormonal drugs, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and glucocorticoids are used.
For diseases related to diseases of cartilage and bone tissue, chondroprotectants are used.
For mild inflammatory processes, use topical analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs.
Precautions
Joint disease is treatable if you consult your doctor promptly and follow prescription recommendations.The following measures will help prevent the onset of the disease: proper nutrition, absence of bad habits and reduction of physical activity of the fingers.Good results can be achieved through a series of therapeutic hand exercises, massage of the limbs, and relaxing and soothing baths with medicinal plant decoctions.