Elderly people often complain of pain in their finger joints.This is due to various inflammatory processes, disorders and degenerative changes in the tissues of the 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 discover 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 finger joints can be divided into 3 groups:
- Pain caused by inflammation.They are most pronounced in the morning and after the hands have been stationary for a long time.It is reduced by physical activity.There are symptoms such as redness of the skin, swelling and stiffness when bending and straightening the fingers.
- Pain associated with a disorder of the structure of cartilage and bone tissue.They are caused by aging and hormonal changes, professional stress and genetic predisposition.
- Mechanical and post-traumatic pain.Associated with prolonged physical activity and the consequences of injuries.
Diseases with this symptomatology
Let's consider the most common inflammatory pathologies.
Rheumatoid arthritis
It can appear 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 movements in the joints, increased 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 work 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 nodules, deformation and curvature of the fingers.
Gout
Pathology associated with metabolic disorders and the creation of excess uric acid salts.It occurs in people who consume foods rich in purines (meat, soups, 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, formation of epiphysis over the joint, redness and swelling of the skin.
Psoriatic arthritis
It is the result 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 (fingers resemble sausages).The pathology is characterized by asymmetric lesions: if the 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 phalanx of the nail and occurs when bending the tips of the fingers.
Reactive arthritis
With an infectious lesion of the body and the penetration of foreign microflora into the joints, a pathology characterized by acute pain lasting several days, fever, chills and elevated temperature may occur.Symptoms are more pronounced in case of multiple joint damage - polyarthritis.
Stenosing ligamentitis
Damage to the annular ligament of the fingers.It occurs as a result 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 the violation of the elasticity of ligaments and tendons.When the pathology worsens, swelling is observed, the skin turns blue and there is a feeling of numbness.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, and difficulties arise even when performing the simplest operations.
- Rheumatism.It is a complication after strep throat.In addition to pain in the joints, there are also disorders in the work of the cardiovascular system.
- Bursitis.Accumulation of fluid in the joint capsule, which leads to inflammation and swelling.When pressing on the pad of the affected finger, a sharp pain is noticed.The skin takes on a dark red hue and the temperature may be elevated.Pathology most often develops as a result of an injury.
Other disorders 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 imbalance, professional stress, consequences of injuries and genetic predisposition.
The disease develops gradually, affecting all the fingers in turn.Intensification of pain is caused by physical activity, the hands become numb and hurt, and when moving the fingers there is a characteristic crunching sound.External changes affect the shape of the fingers: due to the thickening in the middle part, they resemble a spindle;in advanced disease, their twisting is observed.This clinical picture is most pronounced in the elderly.
Types 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 associated with the cervical vertebra, there is pinching of the nerve endings of the upper extremities.Pain in the joints of the hands can occur when turning the head, sneezing, coughing.In its manifestation, it resembles an electric discharge that passes along the hands.Patients feel numbness and stiffness when moving their arm.
The appearance of pain in the joints of the hands can be caused by mechanical damage and injuries, including:
- Bruises, punctures, burns, cuts.There is an injury to the periarticular or connective tissue where the blood supply is disturbed or the nerve endings are damaged, which causes pain.
- Dislocations.The most common is a dislocated thumb.A sharp pain appears, the area around the protruding joint becomes red and swollen.
- Damage to the ulnar nerve.In advanced neuropathy, there is numbness of the injured limbs and disturbances of motor functions.
- Tunnel syndrome.Damage to the joint of the index finger of the right hand associated with long-term work at the computer.With long-term stress, nerve endings can be pinched.
- Vibration syndrome.Related to the professional activities of people involved in vibration technology.The pathology goes through several stages: from pain and numbness to a complete loss of sensitivity in the fingers, which acquire a whitish hue due to insufficient blood supply to blood vessels.
Who to contact and how to treat
If symptoms of pathology appear, the patient should contact 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 treatment, it is important to follow a diet that limits foods that cause the development of pathology.During the rehabilitation period, a sanatorium-resort is indicated.
Methods of pain relief
At home, in case of injuries and mechanical damage to the joints, the patient is given first aid by applying ice to the damaged area for 2-3 hours or by treating the affected area with an anesthetic (a product containing chlorethyl).In the case of dislocations and non-displaced fractures of the limbs, it is important to ensure their immobilization before the medical examination.
Antibiotics, hormonal drugs, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and glucocorticosteroids are used for inflammatory pathologies.
Chondroprotectors are used for diseases associated with disorders of cartilage and bone tissue.
Local painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs are used for minor inflammatory processes.
Preventive measures
Joint diseases can be treated if you see 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 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, a relaxing and soothing bath with decoctions of medicinal plants.