Arthritis

Osteoarthritis of the hands: deformity, pain and functional impairment

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osteoarthritis of the hands Chronic joint diseases associated with degenerative and degenerative processes in the cartilaginous tissue are the most common form of limb injury, united by the term "osteoarthrosis".

This is one of the main reasons that leads to disability and the deterioration of the quality of life of people from 50 years of age and older, occurring everywhere. The joints of the hands are affected more often than other parts of the musculoskeletal system, especially in women.

What is this disease, why does it arise and how is the osteoarthritis of the joints of the hands treated? The answers to these questions are of concern to many people on the planet.

Where does the problem come from and who risks

Osteoarthrosis is called a progressive pathological process, which is based on a metabolic disorder in the cartilaginous tissue, which gradually leads to the destruction of cartilage and bones in contact with it, as well as to the formation of severe deformation and functional joint failure.

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This is different from arthritis - an inflammatory disease with the possibility of a complete cure without losing functions. Osteoarthritis of the hand is approximately 20% of all cases of degenerative-dystrophic lesions of the joint tissue. This pathology most often is primary, not dependent on the influence of external factors. Pain syndrome in the hand

It is established that in patients with arthrosis the process of synthesis and maturation of collagen fibers, which forms the basis of cartilaginous tissue, is disrupted. What is the reason for this?

The main cause is hereditary predisposition - family cases of the disease are known( more often with relatives on the female line).Genetically transmitted features of metabolism and a tendency to damage bone tissue and joints. In such cases, for the development of the disease, there are enough predisposing factors, such as:

  • female sex and elderly age - a decrease in the protective effect of estrogens in the postmenopausal period;
  • osteoporosis;
  • trauma( fractures, sprains, dislocations) or surgical interventions;
  • is a professional activity associated with heavy physical exertion or specific work with hands( looms, typescript or others);
  • congenital bone tissue dysplasia;
  • endocrine pathology( diabetes, obesity);
  • transferred inflammatory diseases( gouty arthritis);
  • unbalanced food - a deficiency of trace elements and vitamins.

Clinical and diagnostic features of

Osteoarthritis of the hands, like any other kind of this pathology, is characterized by the presence of a triad of symptoms - pain, deformity and restriction of mobility of the affected joint.

Pain syndrome occurs when cartilage is destroyed - its amortization capacity is lost and bones begin to rub against each other's surfaces, secondary inflammation develops. Gradually there is formation of outgrowths( osteophytes), which deform the fingers and interfere with the performance of their usual functions.

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Disease usually begins with the phalanx of the index and middle fingers. Here there are nodules of bone tissue, which are often located symmetrically on both hands and at first do not cause concern.

Geberden

Geberden's nodules are common in

osteoarthritis As the process progresses, the motor activity of the hand decreases, fine manual work becomes impossible due to pain and limited mobility of the joints of the fingers. Patients feel stiffness, attempts to bend their fingers lead to the appearance of a characteristic crunch.

In the last stage, the joints are severely deformed, the person loses his full working capacity( he can not write, squeeze or unclench the brush, keep objects).

Diagnosis is based on clinical signs and X-ray examination data, which reveals typical changes in cartilage tissue.

The course of the disease can be divided into 3 main stages:

  1. Pains are absent or expressed slightly after physical exertion of , more often in the evening or at night. Fracture of the joint Function of the joints is not broken. Visibly visible are small seals on the phalanx of the fingers. X-rays reveal a narrowing of the joint gap between the surfaces of the bones of the hand.
  2. Pain worries almost constantly, but not intense .Mobility is limited due to the growth of osteophytes, which are clearly visible on X-rays. Gradually, muscle atrophy occurs, joints begin to increase, crunch when moving.
  3. Severe pain and complete limitation of mobility due to a variety of osteophytes. The cartilage is almost completely destroyed, there is no joint fluid, muscles do not work.

Treatment and prevention of

The disease can be reversed only at the earliest stage. In the midst of the symptomatology, therapeutic measures are carried out aimed at stabilizing the condition and improving the patient's quality of life. This long and laborious process has the following objectives:

  • to slow down the process of destruction of cartilaginous tissue;
  • to suppress the main symptoms of inflammation( pain, swelling);
  • intensify blood circulation and improve the blood supply of the joint bag.

Running a process without treatment can lead to considerable deformation, complete immobility of interphalangeal joints and loss of ability to work.

Treatment of osteoarthrosis of the hands passes through a set of measures:

  • Anti-inflammatory therapy - in acute phase, drugs from the group of NSAIDs( based on Ibuprofen, Ibuprofen in joint diseases of Diclofenac or Ketoprofen) are used inside and as ointments topically, as well as corticosteroids. With the therapeutic and prophylactic purpose after the relief of acute inflammatory manifestations, long courses of chondroprotectors are necessarily prescribed - these are preparations based on glucosamine sulfate, which positively affects the condition of the cartilaginous tissue.
  • The method of drug prosthetics - intra-articular injection of hyaluronic acid to create the effect of lubrication, reduce pain and improve mobility.
  • Physiotherapy - different types of electrophoresis, magnetotherapy, laser therapy can improve blood circulation and reduce inflammation.
  • Therapeutic physical training and massage - individually each patient is selected exercises that should be performed regularly in the period of remission.
  • Surgical methods - used in rare cases( removal of osteophytes, replacement of small joints of the hand, restoration of cartilage tissue from the patient's cells).

To prevent a disease or delay its appearance for a maximum period is possible. Preventive measures are necessary for all persons with a hereditary predisposition to osteoarthrosis, and also reached the threshold of 45-50 years( especially for women).

It is recommended to follow the following recommendations:

  • adhere to the correct diet - give up alcohol, smoke, eat foods rich in calcium and gelatin;
  • contrasting baths with hot and cold water with a gradual increase in time from 10 to 30 seconds - spend 3-4 times a week courses of 10 or 15 procedures;
  • home gymnastics ( "game interphalangeal joints") - pulling the phalanx of each finger, shifting it horizontally and circular movements will help improve blood circulation in the joints of fingers, spend every other day or every day 8-10 times;
  • long-term use of preparations of glucosamine sulfate ;
  • to avoid monotonous manual work of and intensive physical activity.

Accurate compliance with medical recommendations will definitely help to cope with unpleasant symptoms of the disease and avoid complications.

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