Elderly people often complain that their knuckles hurt.This is due to various inflammatory processes, disorders and degenerative changes in joint tissues, 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 find out the cause of the pathology in time, so that the disease does not start, 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 more pronounced in the morning and after the hands have rested for a long time.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 breakdown of cartilage and bone tissue.Caused by age-related 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 consider 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 swelling in the morning, 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 disorders in the functioning 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 joints, deformation and bending of the fingers.
gout
Pathology associated with metabolic disorders and the formation of excess uric acid salts.It is formed in people who consume foods rich in purines (meat, meat juices, smoked and salty foods, black tea and strong coffee).Pathology begins with damage to the joint of the big toe - pain at night, after wearing heavy things, stiffness in movement, formation of a pineal 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 the joints of the fingers, accompanied by redness, swelling, stiffness in movement and a change in the appearance of the hands (the fingers look like 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 finger may be affected on the left.The pain is localized in the area of the phalanx of the nails and appears when you bend the tips of the fingers.
Reactive arthritis
With an infectious lesion of the body and penetration of foreign microflora into the joint, a pathology may appear, characterized by acute pain lasting several days, fever, chills and elevated temperature.Symptoms are more pronounced with multiple joint damage - polyarthritis.
Stenotic ligamentitis
Damage to the annular ligament of the fingers.It occurs as a result of the consequences 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 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 more 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 a sore throat.In addition to joint pain, disturbances in the functioning of the cardiovascular system also occur.
- Scholarships.Accumulation of fluid in the joint capsule, resulting in inflammation and swelling.When you press on the pad of the affected finger, a sharp pain is observed.The skin takes on a dark red hue and the temperature may rise.Pathology most often develops as a result of 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 imbalances, professional stress, consequences of injuries and genetic predisposition.
The disease develops gradually, affecting all the fingers in turn.The increase in pain is provoked by physical activity, the hands become numb and ache, and when the fingers move there is a characteristic cracking sound.External changes affect the shape of the fingers: due to the thickening in the middle part, they resemble a finger;with advanced disease their curling is noticed.This clinical picture is more pronounced in the elderly.
Varieties of osteoarthrosis are rhizarthrosis (damage and deformation of the big toe joint) and polyosteoarthrosis (impaired functioning of the interphalangeal joints).
Cervical osteochondrosis
With disorders of the musculoskeletal system associated with the cervical vertebrae, the top of the nerve endings of the upper extremities occurs.Pain in the joints of the hands can appear when you turn your head, sneeze, cough.In its manifestation, it resembles an electric discharge that passes along the hands.Patients experience numbness and stiffness when moving the hand.
The appearance of pain in the joints of the hands can be caused by mechanical damage and injuries, including:
- Bruises, bruises, burns, cuts.Periarticular or connective tissue damage occurs, in which blood supply is disrupted or nerve endings are damaged, causing pain.
- Dislocations.The most common is a dislocated thumb.A sharp pain appears, the area around the protruding joint becomes red and swollen.
- Ulnar nerve damage.With advanced neuropathy, numbness of the affected limbs and impaired motor functions occur.
- Tunnel syndrome.Damage to the joint of the index finger of the right hand associated with prolonged work at the computer.With prolonged stress, pinched nerve endings may appear.
- Tremor syndrome.Regarding the professional activities of people dealing with vibration technology.The pathology goes through several stages: from pain and numbness to the complete loss of sensitivity in the fingers, which take on a white hue due to insufficient supply of blood vessels.
Who to contact and how to deal
If symptoms of pathology appear, the patient should consult a specialist (surgeon, traumatologist, rheumatologist, neurologist) or therapist to perform 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 provoke the development of 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 by treating the affected surface with an anesthetic (product containing chlorethyl).In case of dislocations and non-displaced fractures of the limbs, it is important to ensure their immobilization before a medical examination.
Antibiotics, hormonal drugs, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and glucocorticosteroids are used for inflammatory pathologies.
For diseases related to cartilage and bone tissue disorders, chondroprotectors are used.
For minor inflammatory processes, local sedatives and anti-inflammatories are used.
Preventive measures
Joint diseases can be treated if you consult a doctor at the right 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 in the fingers.A good effect is achieved by performing a series of therapeutic exercises for the hands, massage of the limbs, relaxing and soothing baths with decoctions of medicinal plants.