Disease of the joints of the fingers - varieties, symptoms, treatment!

Our fingers are regularly subjected to very high loads. Especially dangerous situation becomes if the person's labor activity is associated with the constant performance of various minor manipulations - in the presence of provoking factors and a certain confluence of circumstances, this can trigger the emergence of various diseases.

You are invited to learn more about the most common diseases of the joints of the fingers, the causes of their appearance, the characteristic symptoms and possible treatment options.

Common diseases of the joints of the fingers

Among the most frequently diagnosed ailments of the category in question, it is worth noting eitherthe following adverse processes:

• arthrosis;
• arthritis;
• gout.

In addition, the pain can occur in the presence of Raynaud's syndrome, as well as carpal tunnel syndrome. These diseases occur with the obligatory sensation of numbness of the hands and are not considered in the context of today's publication.

In the presence of painful sensations in the area of ​​the fingers and absence of numbness, with a high probability of the patient there is some disease from the list below. With the peculiarities of the course of such ailments you are invited to read further.

Polyostoarthrosis

Degenerative disease that affects female patients to a greater degree. The exact causes of the pathology are not established. The essence of the disease is reduced to a gradual decrease in the production of natural "lubrication" joints, which causes the latter to dry up and crack.

This leads to the development of inflammation and the development of a pathological fluid that begins to burst the joints from the inside, which provokes a characteristic pain and causes deformity.

Features of the manifestation of

The main symptoms of polyosteoarthrosis are nodules of two kinds: Geberden and Bouchard.

For the first, localization is found on the lateral or back of the affected joints, located closer to the nail plates.

Nodules usually have a symmetrical development, i.e.appear on two hands at once in the same places.

The dimensions of the formations fluctuate to dimensions comparable to a small pea. As the disease progresses, the deformation processes increase, accompanied by a restriction of the mobility of the affected joints. Periodically, there are feelings of burning and pain.

The danger is that the adverse signs go away by themselves, so many patients decide not to consult a doctor. And they do it absolutely in vain: after a certain period, the pathology will again inevitably enter the stage of exacerbation.

For Bushard nodules, a slow and gradual development is characteristic without marked exacerbations. Formations arise mainly on the joints distant from the nail plates. More often they are formed on the lateral surfaces, deforming the natural shape of the fingers. In the presence of Buschar nodules, there is a decrease in the mobility of the affected joints.

Diagnostic procedure

Diagnosis is usually limited to external examination. If necessary, blood tests and roentgenography are prescribed. In the photographs, the narrowing of the joints of the affected joints at the sites of pathology development, as well as the characteristic bone deformities, are clearly visible.

The results of blood tests often do not deviate from the norm, but in the presence of uncharacteristic indices draw conclusions about the possible course of the disease in combination with arthritis. In such circumstances, the doctor sends the patient additional tests to verify the diagnosis reliably.

Treatment options

To normalize the condition of the cartilage tissue, prescribe the use of chondroprotectors.

Specific drugs, as well as the treatment order in general, are determined exclusively by a qualified specialist, taking into account the individual characteristics of the patient's condition.

To enhance the effect of taking chondroprotectors, special preparations for vasodilatation can be prescribed. In the presence of inflammation, the doctor recommends anti-inflammatory drugs, mainly non-steroidal group. For topical application ointments on a similar basis are shown.

Among the most effective and frequently used physiotherapeutic methods, paraffin therapy and the use of therapeutic mud should be noted.

Rheumatoid arthritis

Inflammatory disease, diagnosed predominantly in female patients. Men, according to the averaged statistics, suffer from rheumatoid arthritis about 5 times less often.

Causes of

The most common occurrence of rheumatoid arthritis is various infectious and severe colds, large stresses and hypothermia. In the rest, the reason can be any untimely, wrong or incompletely cured inflammation.

Flow characteristics

In most situations, the disease first affects the joints of the second and third fingers. Often, the pathological process involves the wrist joints.

The lesion is usually symmetrical, i.e.affects both hands. Quite often the course is complicated by arthritis of the knee, elbow and other joints. The main sign of the lesion is pain, which is mainly inflammatory. Severity of adverse sensations increases at night and after awakening.

In addition to pain, the following symptoms are often noted in patients:

• general weakness and depression;
• elevated temperature;
• chills;
• weight loss.

Diagnosis and treatment of

Methods for diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis are described in the table.

Table. Diagnosis of arthritis of the fingers

Diagnostic methods	Description
Radiography	In the presence of rheumatoid arthritis, on the X-ray images "melting" of the joint cracks, i.e.characteristic pronounced decrease in the dimensions of the lumens between the connecting bones. Erosions begin to form. In advanced cases, the bones that make up the joint are spliced. In such conditions, the affected area becomes practically immobile.
Blood from the finger	In the presence of rheumatoid arthritis, the material shows an increased index of ESR( ESR).This indicates the presence of inflammation. It is important to understand that this parameter increases in almost any inflammation, therefore, other diagnostic measures are necessary to confirm or disprove the presence of rheumatoid arthritis.
Blood from a vein	."Markers of inflammation." Secondly, a characteristic rheumatoid factor is revealed. The above characteristics are also characteristic for a number of other inflammatory processes, therefore the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis is necessarily carried out in a complex manner.

Treatment order

The decision of this issue is exclusively for a qualified specialist.

As a rule, the therapy is complex and includes several representatives of the following list:

• gold preparations;
• immunosuppressants;
• antimalarial drugs;
• sulfonamides;
• D-penicillamine;
• non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
• corticosteroids;
• selective anti-inflammatory drugs.

In addition, various physiotherapeutic methods, external agents, etc. are used.

The main rule is one: do not engage in independent uncontrolled treatment and follow the doctor's recommendations in everything.

Gout

Most often this disease is diagnosed in patients 20-50 years of age. First, the ailment in most cases affects the toes, but it can progress on the hands. Most inflammation develops in the joints of the thumb.

Flow features

Inflammation is paroxysmal. Seizures often occur unexpectedly: a person can quite well feel before the sudden appearance of painful sensations. Pain, as a rule, is very acute, it is extremely difficult to endure. The skin in the affected area becomes red and hot. In some patients gout is characterized by less severe exacerbations.

Under any circumstances, the pathology left without due attention will again make itself felt by the already familiar sick bouts.

Causes of the appearance of

Let us highlight the most common provoking factors that can cause gouty arthritis.

1. Arterial hypertension.
2. Overweight.
   

   Overweight and malnutrition increase the risk of developing gout

3. Chronic abuse of alcohol.
4. Excessive intake of purine bases( contained, for example, in meat, fish, coffee, milk).
5. Deceleration of the natural processes of excretion of uric acid( noted, for example, in the presence of kidney failure).
6. Excessive production of uric acid in combination with its delayed excretion.

Methods of treatment

To confirm the presence of gout, the specialist hears complaints of the patient and appoints a series of appropriate tests. The doctor makes recommendations for the exclusion of the previously mentioned provoking factors.

During periods of exacerbation, methods of anti-inflammatory treatment with appropriate medications are used. Most often it is Kolkhitsin.

Otherwise, the list of necessary medications, as well as the procedure for their use, is determined by a qualified specialist based on the results of a specific patient's examination.

In addition to treatment, the patient is given advice on how to follow a proper diet.

First of all, the number of purines used( as noted, contained in fish, meat, coffee, etc.) and alcoholic beverages should be minimized.

It is necessary to limit the use of carbohydrates and reduce the caloric content of the diet - as the weight decreases, the risk of recurrence of gout attacks will also decrease.

More rare diseases of the joints of the fingers

Above you got acquainted with the most common ailments, affecting, among other things, the joints of the fingers. But there are a number of more rare diseases that can develop in the same part of the body. About them further.

Ankylosing spondylitis

Represents a chronic inflammatory process leading to the formation of scar tissue in the joints. In these formations, salts and various microelements begin to settle, which causes the mobility of the affected area to deteriorate substantially.

Video - Ankylosing Spondylitis( Bechterew's Disease)

Video - About Bechterew's Disease

Among the characteristic signs, one should first of all distinguish aching sensations that intensify at night.

Psoriatic arthritis

Develops in patients with a genetic predisposition to psoriasis. Diagnosed mainly during periods of exacerbation of the latter.

Characteristic features are:

• painful joint sensations;
• redness and swelling of the skin;
• symmetry breaking;
• nail damage.

Pseudogout

Developed due to violation of internal metabolic processes. As a result, calcium salts begin to be deposited in the tissues of the joints and near them, which subsequently leads to pain, redness, swelling, fever, deformities.

Medicinal arthralgia

Accompanied by aching pain in the location of small joints. It is a temporary condition that develops due to the use of some medications in excessive dosage.

Arthralgia can be caused primarily by penicillin antibiotics, chemical tranquilizers and sleeping pills, contraceptives, drugs against tuberculosis, barbiturates.

is rarely diagnosed. Treatment in most cases is reduced to making appropriate changes in the composition of the main therapy.

Thus, there are many diseases affecting the joints of the fingers. If any uncharacteristic adverse effects occur, consult your doctor as soon as possible and follow its recommendations.

Be healthy!

Video - Disease of the joints of the fingers