Why does finger joint pain occur? How to treat?

6 October 2020

There may be pain in the joints of the fingers for various reasons. Any pathological condition requires effective treatment.

Joint disease requires a comprehensive approach. It includes the use of drugs, diet, physical therapy, special gymnastics and alternative medicine.

Possible causes of finger joint pain

Joint pain can occur at any age. There are many possible reasons for this phenomenon.

Osteoarthritis

In 40% of cases, finger joint pain is caused by this cause. This pathology is also commonly referred to as polyarthritis or knotted fingers. It is a malnutrition disease characterized by slow progress, which is why patients often ignore the first stage of the disease.

The disease most often affects people over 50 years old, and rarely occurs in people under 40 years old.

The cause of polyarthritis is usually called heredity, but there are other factors that cause heredity:

orgasm;
Violation of material exchange;
Pathology of the thyroid and other endocrine glands;
Diabetes.

The cartilage of the joints began to degenerate. This means that natural lubrication is compromised, leading to dryness and cracking.

Due to lack of lubrication and dryness, articular cartilage rubs against each other, which triggers the inflammatory process. In this context, abnormal inflammatory synovial fluid is produced, which expands the joint from the inside. As a result, they deform and are accompanied by painful sensations.

Osteoarthritis is accompanied by other symptoms. They are mainly represented by Bouchard and Heberden nodules:

Butchard's nodulesare characterized by slow development and no complications. They are usually formed on the sides of the joints and have a fusiform shape.
Heberden nodulesaffect the back and sides of the distal interphalangeal joint. They are characterized by symmetrical development of the hands. The formation of nodules is usually accompanied by swelling and redness of the skin around the joints. Although pathological manifestations are asymptomatic in 30% of cases, pain and burning sensations still occur.

With the development of multiple arthritis, joint stiffness increases. The pathological result is stiffness of the fingers.

Rheumatoid Arthritis and Still's Disease

This disease is a systemic pathology of connective tissue, with a complex autoimmune pathogenesis. Pathology is rarely manifested in patients under 30 years of age. In men, its frequency is reduced by 5 times.

The signs of rheumatoid arthritis depend on its stage:

The initial stage of the disease is characterized by periarticular edema of the bursa of fabric. This leads to pain, swelling of the area around the joint and local temperature increase.
In the second stage, cells begin to divide rapidly, and as a result, the synovium becomes denser.
In the third stage, the inflamed cells produce an enzyme that affects cartilage and bone, so the affected joints usually deform. This stage is accompanied by increased pain and loss of motor function.

There are three possible causes of rheumatoid arthritis:

Heredity.
Infection. Certain paramyxoviruses, herpes viruses, liver viruses, and retroviruses can cause pathological changes.
Triggering factors. Hypothermia, poisoning, stress, taking certain drugs, excessive sun exposure, and endocrine diseases can all trigger pathological changes.

Still's disease is a form of rheumatoid arthritis. It is usually accompanied by fever, rash and itching. This disease is usually diagnosed in children. In addition to joints, Still's disease can also affect lymph nodes, causing pleurisy and pericarditis.

Psoriatic Arthritis

This pathology is a form of arthritis that can occur after 20 years. It develops in the context of psoriasis, but in some cases earlier than it.

In addition to pain, pathology is also accompanied by the following signs:

Joint swelling;
The skin around the blue-purple joint area is obtained;
The uneven appearance on the nails;
Slight stiffness.

There is a destructive form of pathology characterized by rapid bone erosion. It is full of loss of joint mobility.

The inflammatory process affects not only joints, but also certain organs. The skin patches of this form of arthritis of psoriasis are usually accompanied by the appearance of acne.

The possible causes of psoriatic arthritis are as follows:

alcoholism;
Smoking;
pressure;
Skin damage;
Side effects of some drugs;
Changes in hormone levels;
Excessive ultraviolet radiation.

Infectious arthritis

This type of arthritis is also called sepsis and is characterized by an inflammatory process caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi or parasites.

There are many possible pathological symptoms-the clinical situation depends on the pathogen of the infection.

The main symptoms of this disease are:

soreness;
Inconvenient mobility;
Hyperemia in the affected area;
Swelling.

As the pathological cause is infection, it may be accompanied by fever, chills and poisoning syndrome.

Infectious arthritis can develop in the context of another disease-rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, diabetes, obesity. The reasons may be alcohol and drug addiction, sexually transmitted infections.

Gout

This pathology is also called gouty arthritis. It is a metabolic disease. In this case, uric acid or sodium monourate is deposited in the tissues of the body. In women, gout is rare.

The pathological feature is paroxysmal. The onset can last from 3 days to 1. 5 weeks. The offense is characterized by a sharp appearance and the same rapid stop. The presence of seizures implies an inflammatory process.

The onset of this disease usually starts at night and may be accompanied by the following symptoms:

Pain worsens with exercise;
The skin above the inflamed joint becomes red;
Body temperature rise;
toenails around inflamed joints-whitish growth under the skin;
The lesion is usually unilateral.

In addition to the acute phase, there are pathological incubation and chronic phases. In the first case, the course of the disease is asymptomatic, and its only symptom is hyperuricemia (a blood test indicator). The chronic phase is characterized by long-term remission.

Plague

This pathology is a form of arthropathy in which only the thumb is affected. In most cases, root nodule disease is a manifestation of multiple osteoarthritis, but in every 4-5 patients, it is an independent disease.

Trauma is the cause of almost every two people. It can be home or sports.

There are other pathological reasons:

Incomplete rehabilitation of carpal fractures;
Permanent minor injuries to the joint capsule;
Heredity;
Dysplasia of joints;
Metabolism disorder;
The effect of certain drugs that cause changes in cartilage tissue.

Pathology is divided into three stages:

First of all, people only feel uncomfortable.
Then bone growth occurs, and the pain is exacerbated by the exposure of nerve endings.
In the final stage, the thumb is severely deformed and its mobility may be completely lost.

Pain is the main symptom of the disease. Under cold or hot water, it will increase with exercise and the atmospheric pressure drops. At first, the pain is painful, but in the final stage of pathology, it becomes simply unbearable.

Kerman disease (tenosynovitis)

In this case, only the thumb ligament is inflamed. Constant and monotonous movements can cause this pathology, which can cause minor damage to the tendons that extend along the back of the wrist. Trauma may be another cause of the disease.

Illness is usually accompanied by certain professionals:

musician;
Tailor;
painter;
athletes (tennis players, skiers);
Bricklayer;
Typist.

This pathology can develop at any age. Painful sensations may occur spontaneously, but more often they are stimulated by a load on the thumb-pressing, stretching and trying to grasp objects.

stricture ligamentitis

This condition is also called Knott's disease or index finger disease. The cause is inflammation of the tendon and the formation of nodules on it.

In this case, the affected finger bends and returns to its original position problematically.

A painful sensation occurs when the fingers are bent and stretched. In addition to pain, other symptoms are also characteristic of the disease:

Numbness;
Increased sensitivity;
Joint swelling;
Blocks (nodes) are formed.

Rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes and high pressure on joints can trigger stenotic ligamentitis.

Risk factors

For each pathology, there are many possible reasons for its development. There are also many risk factors that make it easier to develop finger joints:

Genetic susceptibility;
Chronic infection;
Immune system diseases;
Pathology of material exchange;
changed the background of hormones;
Trauma and minor trauma;
Long-term negative effects.

Diagnosis

When there is pain in the joints of the fingers, they will usually find a therapist to prescribe and perform a preliminary examination, and then instruct them to treat more stenosis-surgeon, neurologist, traumatologist, arthrologist, rheumatologistPathologist, orthopedist, reflexologist, osteopath, endocrinologist, nutritionist, pediatrician.

In any case, diagnosis starts with visual inspection. After that, experts will prescribe standard laboratory blood and urine test standards. They allow you to identify the inflammatory process in the body and evaluate some important indicators (albumin, globulin score, iron content).

Combined puncture is a laboratory method. Insert the needle into its cavity to collect synovial fluid. This test is also called arthrocentesis.

In the instrument diagnosis method, the following research can be carried out according to the situation:

X-rays.This method allows you to identify traumas, fractures, tumors and other damage to bone tissue.
Ultrasound scanning.This technique is used to examine soft tissues. In addition, with ultrasound, you can check the condition of blood vessels.
Tomography-Computer, magnetic resonance imaging. CT is more suitable for examining bone structure-examination is similar to X-ray but provides more information. MRI is more effective in studying soft tissues
Scintigraphy.This research was conducted using radio indicators.
ECG.This diagnosis allows you to check whether the pathology has affected the heart.

Treat finger and hand joint pain

Any disease requires certain measures. In most cases, the basis of treatment is a combination of drug therapy with physical therapy and special gymnastics. Some diseases require special diets. Folk recipes can also effectively treat joint disease.

Medications

Various drugs are the main treatment for most diseases.

The following drugs are used for joint damage:

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.These funds are used for various inflammatory processes. They not only relieve inflammation, but also relieve pain and fever. These drugs are produced in different dosage forms-for topical use, oral, injection.
Antibiotics.These drugs are used as the source of infection in the inflammatory process and pathology. In order to specify antibiotic treatment, first determine the pathogen of the disease to determine its sensitivity to the drug.
Glucocorticoids.These drugs are steroids and anti-inflammatory drugs. Their actions accelerated the recovery process. They are also available in various dosage forms.
Cartilage protector.These drugs are used as part of comprehensive treatment. They speed up the recovery process and prevent the recurrence of pathology.
Analgesicscan be used for severe, intolerable pain. These can be topical treatments in the form of creams or gels, or they can be oral or injected medications.
Immunosuppressant.Such drugs can be used when the pathology has autoimmune properties.

Medications can only be prescribed by a doctor. Each patient needs a separate approach, so even if different people have the same disease, the set of drugs needed may be fundamentally different.

Traditional Medicine

Alternative medicines are used to treat various diseases, including diseases that affect joints.

The following folk recipes may work:

Melt the propolis and mix it with vegetable oil-sunflower oil or corn oil is more suitable. The resulting composition should be used as an ointment and rub it into the affected area.
Rub with honey and horseradish. The products must be mixed in equal proportions.
Dissolve a spoonful of mustard powder in half a glass of vodka and massage the affected area with this ingredient.
Boil the unpeeled potatoes, knead, and apply a hot compress to the inflamed area.
Grind the onion into a paste and compress the affected area. You need to keep it for half an hour and repeat it up to three times a day.
The helper of lilac is very helpful. You need to fill in 3 tablespoons. l. The original glass of vodka stayed in the dark for a week. Wipe the affected area with the strained mixture every day for at least half a month.
Boil the oats to give it the consistency of jelly, cool it slightly, soak the bandage in it, apply it to the affected area, and fix it with polyethylene. Remove the compress after one hour.
In case of inflammation, please dissolve 1 teaspoon. Baking soda in milk and beverages.
If the inflammatory process is aggravated, fresh cabbage leaves can be coated with honey and applied to the affected area.
Legs with affected joints can add birch broth in the bath.
Heat salt or buckwheat in a pan, put it in a cloth bag, and attach it to the affected area for several hours.
It is very useful to use bay leaf infusion internally. For this, pour a cup of boiling water on a few leaves and stick to it.
Black radish juice with honey is very useful. Three tablespoons of this therapy are needed every day.
For joint disease, juice is useful. A glass of cranberry or lingonberry juice, birch juice every day is enough.

In the early stages of the development of pathology, only traditional medicine is appropriate. In other cases, it should be combined with traditional methods. Self-medication may not bring any results, and the pathology will only worsen during this time.

Physical Therapy

Physical therapy is one of the components of the comprehensive approach to joint pathology. It can only be done under the guidance of a doctor. There are many physiotherapy methods, so choose the appropriate option according to your personal situation.

For various pathologies of finger joints, the following process is appropriate:

Magnetic therapy-constant, impulsive;
Electrophoresis;
UHF;
Laser therapy;
Make a voice;
Otolith therapy;
Cryotherapy;
galvanized;
Dynamic therapy;
Oxygen therapy;
balneotherapy;
Shockwave therapy;
Ozone therapy.

Various treatments have been designed to restore joint mobility, restore blood circulation, muscle tone, enhance metabolic processes and accelerate recovery.

Any physical therapy method has certain contraindications. Therefore, you should only resort to this if prescribed by a doctor.

Finger gymnastics

Special finger exercises are part of a comprehensive treatment method. Such gymnastics can restore blood circulation and activity, relieve pain, and have a general strengthening effect.

Before doing gymnastics, if there are no taboos, you can warm up. Dipping your hands in warm water for 5 minutes or applying a heating pad on it is sufficient.

The following exercises are effective for various joint diseases:

Clench and loosen your fist. You need to gently clench your hand with your fist so that your thumb is on top of the rest. In this position, you need to hover for 0. 5-1 minutes, then release your fist and spread your fingers as far as possible. Each hand needs to be repeated at least 4 times.
Preheat your fingers. You need to place your palms on a hard surface and press hard. Raise each finger alternately and repeat 10 times for each hand.
Contact. You need to turn the palm of your hand toward you and alternately connect the tip of each finger with the tip of your thumb to form a circle. Each contact must be maintained for 0. 5-1 minutes. Do each hand 4 times or more.
Thumb exercises. The palm should be placed on a firm surface. You need to move your thumb along it, moving it away from the rest as much as possible. At the extreme, you need to hover for 0. 5-1 minutes and then return to the starting position. Do 10-15 times per hand. Exercise every 2-3 days.
There is another thumb exercise. You need to turn your palm toward you, move your thumb to the side as far as possible, and then bend it so that the tip touches the bottom of your little finger. At this point, you need to stay for 0. 5-1 minutes. Do more than 4 times per hand.
Brush stretching. You need to place your palm on the table and straighten the brush to make it as flat as possible. In this position, you need to stay for 0. 5-1 minutes. Do each hand 4 times.
Stretch your fingers. You need to turn the palm of your hand toward you, and then bend your fingers so that they touch the skin on the base. In this position, you need to hover for 0. 5-1 minutes, and then straighten your fingers straight. Do more than 4 times per hand.
Thumb stretched. You need to turn your palm toward you, and then bend your thumb so that the tip touches the bottom of your index finger. In this position, you need to stay for 0. 5 to 1 minute and repeat 4 times.
There is another way to stretch your thumb. The starting position is the same. The thumb should be pulled to the bottom of the little finger, moving only the lower joint. At the limit point, hover for 0. 5-1 minutes, repeat 4 times with each hand.
Strengthen exercise. It is necessary to take a soft ball and squeeze it as much as possible, hovering at the limit for a few seconds. Repeat 10-15 times with each hand. Exercise itself should not be done every day, but should be done every 2-3 days to give your hands a rest.
Pinch. This exercise also requires a soft ball. It must be pinched so that there is one thumb on one side and all other thumbs on the other side. In this position, you need to stay for 0. 5-1 minutes. Each hand needs to be repeated 10-15 times. Exercise every 2-3 days.

In addition to this type of exercise, it is also useful to use clay or plasticine. The material can be simply rolled and kneaded or made into various crafts.

Finger exercises should not be performed when the pain is too severe. In this case, exercise will only cause harm.

Diet

One of the treatment principles of various nutrition is proper nutrition.

Diet should follow the following principles:

The weight is normalized. This is necessary for deviations in any direction. If abnormal fat metabolism occurs, lipids will be deposited on the joints.
Salt limit. If there is too much in the body, the joints will lose their elasticity.
Avoid drinking alcohol.

For gout, the focus should be on plant foods to alkalize the body.

Reduce the intake of animal protein. The amino acids contained therein penetrate the synovial membrane, causing inflammation and pain.

It is best to refuse broth or use secondary broth.

It is best not to use meat in the form of pure meat, but in the form of patties, meatballs, and meatballs.

For gout, you need to give up oily fish, caviar, cod liver, offal, eggs, cream butter, high-fat sour cream, nuts.

You should refuse candies, confectionery products, pre-treated cereals, and instant products.

The diet must be rich in vitamin C. For this, you need citrus, blueberries, apples, bell peppers, blackcurrants, Brussels sprouts, and broccoli.

Prevention

Any disease is easier to prevent than prevention. In order to prevent various joint diseases of the fingers, the following measures should be taken:

Proper nutrition. The diet should be rich in fresh fruits and vegetables, complex carbohydrates, lean foods and unsaturated fatty acids.
Get enough vitamins and minerals. If there is insufficient food in your diet, then you should seek help from the pharmacy.
The correct way of drinking. Lack of fluid will slow down metabolism, thereby impairing blood circulation and nutrition of the joints, and reducing the volume of synovial fluid in the joints. Drinking methods should be based on clean water without gas. On average, you need to drink 2 liters of fluids a day.
No bad habits.
Enough physical exercise. This is very important for maintaining the normal speed of the body's metabolism, good blood circulation, and strengthening the muscles and ligaments around the joints.
Special gymnastics for fingers. This is especially important when the finger is under constant pressure. For some athletes and professions, this is correct.
Appropriate alternation of activity and rest. The night's sleep should be complete.
Minimum pressure.
Regular medical examinations. They can detect the initial stage of pathology or the prerequisites for pathological development, so that you can take necessary measures in time.

Sore finger joints should not be ignored. Even without accompanying symptoms, this phenomenon may be the first sign of serious pathology. Comprehensive methods are used for the treatment of joint diseases. The treatment method should be prescribed by the doctor, because each patient needs a separate method.