Finger joints most often start to hurt after 40-45 years (in 1 in 10 people this is due to age changes in the body). After 60 years, the pain often occurs in the background of polyosteoarthritis (lesions, destruction of the articular cartilage of various joints).
Deformity and destruction of the wrists is diagnosed in 10% of the elderly.
Also, pain in the finger joints is a characteristic symptom of diseases such as:
- rheumatoid arthritis (in 80% of cases it begins with inflammation of the finger joints);
- psoriatic arthritis (70% of the fingers are the first to suffer);
- gout (arthritis that affects the fingers, occurs in 10-15% of patients with gout);
- osteomyelitis is an infectious inflammation of the bones (it accounts for 6. 5% of all diseases of the musculoskeletal system).
Most arthritis, in which the finger joints are first involved in the process, are systemic diseases (that is, they affect various body systems, not just the joints).They are equally often diagnosed in people of any age, including young people, and occur 3-5 times less often in men.
Another cause of pain is mechanical injuries, the consequences of blows or bruises of the hands (not uncommon in athletes, the prevalence is up to 40% of all traumatic injuries).
Some of the diseases that cause pain in the finger joints cannot be completely cured, over time they become the cause of disability (rheumatoid, psoriatic arthritis, polyosteoarthritis). And, for example, from osteomyelitis with timely treatment, you can get rid of it forever, but the process quickly becomes chronic and can lead to limb loss (in 30% of cases).
If you suspect a systemic disease (arthritis, polyosteoarthritis), you should consult a rheumatologist or arthrologist. Osteomyelitis is treated by an orthopedic traumatologist, surgeon, injuries - orthopedic traumatologist.
Why finger pain occurs: causes and symptoms
Why do my finger joints hurt? There are many reasons as well as factors that can speed up or encourage the process. Common predisposing factors for all illnesses and injuries can be considered:
- Profession (this category includes people who have to work with brushes and fingers, musicians, seamstresses, programmers).
- Loads (injuries and microtraumas caused by hours of sports training, rehearsals).
- Hormonal changes, disorders (pregnancy, estrogen deficiency in older women).
- Heredity (close relatives are more susceptible to systemic diseases).
- Immune system deficiencies or diseases.
- Metabolic disorders (gout, diabetes mellitus).
- Chronic infections (tuberculosis).
- Hypothermia (hypothermia).
- Some long-term negative factors (among them - taking medication, poisoning with toxic substances in a dangerous enterprise, smoking, alcoholism, etc. ).
The pathologies and conditions that cause pain in the finger joints are described later in the article.
Trauma
The pain that occurs after an injury is difficult to confuse with anything else:
- all symptoms occur immediately after a blow, bruise, compression, and other injury;
- swelling, bruising at the site of impact, impaired joint mobility are associated with sharp pain;
- in moderate and severe damage, the symptoms do not go away for a long time, but become more pronounced - pain, stiffness, swelling;
- the discomfort increases when you try to bend or straighten your fingers.
Severe injuries of the fingers of the upper extremity are combined with:
- ruptures of muscles, ligaments, blood vessels, bleeding into the capsule (hemarthrosis) and soft tissues (hematomas);
- bone fractures and cracks;
- nerve damage (loss of sensation in fingers and skin).
Prognosis: minor injuries heal without a trace in 90-95% of cases. Severe and moderate injuries can leave behind a variety of complications - from impaired finger sensitivity to traumatic arthritis in 70%.
Polyosteoarthritis
Polyosteoarthritis is a chronic pathology, due to which the finger joints are gradually deformed and destroyed (there is a form of the disease that affects the joints of the thumbs - rhizarthrosis).
Initially, painful pain occurs after hard work (sewing, embroidery, several hours of rehearsals on a musical instrument). How the disease progresses:
- pain in the joints of the fingers becomes constant, does not disappear at rest;
- clicks and creaking (during movement) are accompanied by painful feelings;
- stiffness appears (initially insignificant).
During periods of exacerbation, the main symptoms are accompanied by edema, swelling, increase in local temperature, and sometimes redness in the area of the joints.
Over time, the fingers deform:
- Heberden's nodules (bone growths, pea-sized seals) form on the joints that are closer to the nails.
- Bouchard's nodules (proliferation of joint surfaces, bone spines) form on the middle joints.
The finger joints lose their original shape (become nodular), and over time they lose mobility due to soft tissue ossification (ankylosis).
Prognosis: the pathology is incurable, but in the early stages (until deformation occurs) it can be suspended for a long time. Later, it becomes the cause of disability (tissues connect, ossify, finger mobility can only be restored with surgery).
Rheumatoid arthritis
Chronic inflammatory disease of the joints, which occurs with the involvement of other organs and systems in the pathological process (outer shell of the heart, lungs, vascular walls, skin).
Rheumatoid arthritis is characterized by:
- gradual increase and intensification of symptoms (initially the exacerbation is replaced by fairly long periods of asymptomatic course, but over time they become shorter);
- morning stiffness, reminiscent of tight gloves (disappears in 30-60 minutes);
- sharp, sharp, dull pain in the joints of the fingers (on both hands), which, when bent, becomes unbearable;
- redness, swelling, swelling, stiffness of the joints.
The pain syndrome usually occurs at night or in the morning and decreases slightly by the afternoon.
When the acute symptoms subside (during remission), the pain becomes less pronounced, painful, intensifies in movement, when working in cold water. The joints on the fingers hurt during bending and extension, they remain painful to the touch and slightly swollen.
Gradually, the disease leads to the creation of a stable deformity and dysfunction of the fingers - they turn outwards or upwards, bend (more often the middle, index and ring fingers are affected, very rarely - the little finger and the big toe), other joints are involved in the process. ankles, knees, shoulders). . .
Prognosis: the pathology is incurable, progresses rapidly and leads to disability, to disability - 40% of cases during the first 5 years of development.
Psoriatic arthritis
Psoriatic arthritis is a form of severe systemic disease (psoriasis).
The most characteristic signs of damage to the finger joints:
- sudden, sudden onset of arthritis;
- defeat of interphalangeal and distal (closer to the nail) joints;
- constant, even, strong pain in combination with large swelling, redness of the skin, limited mobility (the shape of the fingers at this time resembles a radish or sausage, it is impossible to bend or separate the finger joints due to pain and swelling);
- increase in total temperature.
In the long run, this leads to destruction of the nail plates (they break, lose their shape), deformations of the fingers (they are "turned" outwards or upwards) and disability.
Prognosis: Psoriatic arthritis is incurable, severe, progresses rapidly, and leads to disability in 90-95% of patients.
Gouty arthritis
Gouty arthritis occurs against the background of metabolic disorders, due to which excess uric acid accumulates in the body. It falls into the joint tissue, causing inflammation.
Typical signs of gouty arthritis:
- Sharp, sudden, throbbing, or burning pain in one or more finger joints.
- Any attempt to move a finger or touch it exacerbates an unpleasant symptom.
- It is accompanied by severe edema that often spreads to the whole hand, a change in skin color (the finger on the hand becomes bluish-purple), an increase in general temperature (the patient has a fever, chills).
- Pain in the finger joints usually occurs at night.
- The attack can last from 2 days to 2 weeks.
Progressive gouty arthritis becomes the reason for the inclusion of new joints in the process, their deformation (destruction of joint surfaces). Tofus, deposits of uric acid in the tissue, appear on the fingers.
Prognosis: Gout is incurable, but uric acid levels can be maintained with medication and diet. The disease rarely causes complete disability of the patient (5-8%), but over time it can destroy the finger joints (secondary arthrosis).
Why else can my finger joints hurt?
Other causes of pain include the following diseases and conditions:
Osteomyelitis
This infectious bone lesion (periosteum, spongy and compact substance) usually begins acutely - joint pain in osteomyelitis is strong, sharp, twitching, cracking or tearing. When bending or stretching, it increases to unbearable, accompanied by strong swelling, redness and thickening of the tissue above the joint, fever and signs of general intoxication (weakness, sweating). In 30% of cases, osteomyelitis becomes chronic (it can recur), and the pain in the fingers becomes painful. The process can cause purulent arthritis, malignancy of bone tissue, deformation of bones and joints.
Vasospasm
Vasospasm is a sharp narrowing of the peripheral vessels that supply blood to the upper limbs, hands, and finger joints. It is characterized by burning sensations, numbness, pale skin. At the end of the attack (which can be short-lived - from 2 minutes, or long - up to 60 minutes), the fingers begin to ache, "hurt", and the skin on the hands becomes red. Over time, a similar phenomenon (vasospasm) becomes the cause of trophic ulcers (tissue necrosis due to malnutrition), melting of bones and necrosis of fingertips.
Pregnancy
Pregnancy is not a pathological condition, but it is accompanied by sharp and rapid hormonal changes in the body, accelerated metabolism. Pain in the joints of the fingers, more precisely pain, can cause a lack of calcium and vitamin D3, as well as an excess of hormones that prepare the body for childbirth by relaxing the ligaments.
Diagnosis: methods, research
When a knuckle hurts, what should be done? First of all, it is necessary to diagnose the pathologies that cause such a symptom. Most often, the doctor prescribes a series of studies:
| Method name | Which allows you to make a diagnosis |
|---|---|
x-ray |
With its help, pathological changes in bones, joint deformation, crystal deposition, tissue ossification are revealed. |
MRI, CT or ultrasound |
These diagnostic methods allow you to identify any pathological changes in the periarticular tissues and joints, which are not visible on X-rays. |
ECG, ultrasound of internal organs |
Helps to identify extraarticular manifestations characteristic of certain diseases (pericarditis, pneumonitis) |
Angiography |
The study of blood vessels is informative for pathologies that occur with damage to their walls and can cause vasospasm (rheumatoid arthritis) |
Clinical laboratory research |
With the help of analyzes, the cause of the disease is determined, infections and pathogens of the pathological process are discovered |
Therapeutic and diagnostic puncture of joints (procedure of removing fluid from the joint capsule) |
A puncture is performed if blood (hemarthrosis), pus (infectious processes) or a large amount of fluid has accumulated in it, which interferes with mobility and threatens to destroy it. |
Treatment: principles, drugs, characteristics
Some of the diseases or conditions that cause pain in the finger joints of the hand cannot be cured (vasospasm, osteoarthritis, psoriasis, gouty arthritis). Some are cured completely and without consequences (with timely treatment - osteomyelitis, minor and moderate injuries).
General principles of treatment, methods of pain relief
Common in the treatment of all diseases that cause pain in the joints of the fingers is the appointment of drugs that help to resolve severe symptoms.
Usually this:
- nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which successfully relieve inflammation and pain;
- glucocorticoids, which are prescribed if NSAIDs are ineffective;
- painkillers if joint pain cannot be relieved by other means.
As soon as the symptoms subside, the patient is prescribed: chondroprotectors to slow down or prevent the destruction of cartilage and physical therapy.
Physiotherapy stimulates metabolic processes, accelerates tissue regeneration. Of the physiotherapeutic procedures for joint diseases, the most popular are:
- drug electrophoresis;
- magnetotherapy;
- UHF (ultra high frequency therapy);
- reflexology (acupuncture);
- massage;
- mud therapy;
- balneotherapy (hydrotherapy);
- heating procedures (paraffin, ozokerite applications);
- therapeutic gymnastics (exercises to strengthen the finger joints).
If it is necessary to eliminate the pain in the finger joints and their causes, treatment in a sanatorium can give a good result. In the direction of the doctor, the patient has the opportunity to change the climate 1 or 2 times a year, undergo a course of restorative physiotherapy procedures, drink mineral water from natural sources.
Features of treatment of specific pathologies
In addition to general methods and means, there are nuances in the treatment of each pathology:
| Pathology | Treatment characteristics |
|---|---|
Trauma |
Trauma treatment is step by step. First, the victim is given first aid (fixing bandage, ice pack for 24 hours). If necessary, a puncture is performed, the integrity of the tissue is restored (in case of serious damage) and it is immobilized with plaster. On the third to fifth day, they begin to warm up, encouraging healing. |
Polyosteoarthritis |
At the beginning of the disease, the use of chondroprotectors and physiotherapeutic exercises is effective. Later, only surgery helps (prosthetics solve the problem). |
Rheumatoid arthritis |
Prescribe basic anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics, antibacterial, antiallergic drugs, drugs that affect the activity of the immune system. |
Psoriatic arthritis |
|
Gouty arthritis |
They treat the underlying disease (gout) by prescribing agents that regulate the production and accelerate the excretion of uric acid, drugs that dissolve tissue salt deposits. The obligatory part of the treatment is a strict diet during the attack (Table 6), a less strict diet during life. |
Osteomyelitis |
Surgical rinsing of purulent cavities in the bone tissue, opening of the abscess is performed. Antibiotics, antibacterial drugs are used for treatment. |
Vasospasm |
How to treat vasospasm? In pathology, vasodilators and antispasmodics (relax the muscles of the vascular walls), blood thinners are prescribed. Eliminate provoking factors (for example, smoking) or treat the underlying disease that caused the vasospasm (for example, rheumatoid arthritis). |
Folk remedies (treatment of pathologies, pain relief)
Pain in the joints of the fingers can also be treated with drugs according to folk recipes:
- Infusion of eucalyptus leaves. Take 40 g of eucalyptus leaves, pour a liter of boiling water, leave for 60 minutes under the lid. When done, strain, drain into a dark glass jar, store in the refrigerator. Take every day for 2 weeks - 3 times 50 ml, 30 minutes before meals.
- Treatment of pain in the finger joints by infusion of black currant leaves. Pour 10 g of raw materials with 0, 5 liters of boiling water, leave to cook under the lid for 20 minutes. Drink a glass 2 to 3 times a day. The duration of the course is 2-3 months.
- Warming ointment for arthritis. Take 50 g of camphor and mustard powder, dilute them in 100 ml of alcohol, add egg whites, whipped to a froth. Rub into brushes overnight. The treatment of the finger joints continues for 21 days, after some time the course can be repeated.
- Rubbing oil. Dilute the essential oil of fir with vegetable oil (1: 1), rub into the knuckles until completely absorbed before bedtime. First you need to "heat" them: boil the washed potato peel in water, when the soup has cooled (to warm up comfortably), dip the brushes in it and hold for 15-25 minutes, then rinse them with clean water. They continue to be treated for 3 weeks or until the symptoms of the disease disappear.
Prevention
How to prevent pathologies that cause pain in the finger joints? For this you need:
- get rid of bad habits (quit smoking and alcohol);
- introduce into the diet foods that are useful for joints and cartilage tissue (with sufficient content of calcium, phosphorus, other minerals and vitamins, proteins);
- undergo regular examinations, get rid of foci of chronic infection (for example, tonsillitis);
- do not overload (alternating load with rest) and do not cool your hands too much.
It is very important to strengthen the immune system (swimming, yoga, walking) and finger joints with corrective gymnastics exercises.