Fingers are the main tool thanks to our ability to perform various work functions. It is therefore not surprising that when the finger joints are sore, it is difficult to perform direct tasks or cope with homework. Medical help is needed when the first painful sensation appears, otherwise, at a later stage, possible serious consequences associated with joint destruction may occur.
What to do if a finger joint hurts? You should contact a rheumatologist for examination and treatment as soon as possible. Only after the specialist knows the true cause of the pain and clarifies the diagnosis will he or she be able to choose an effective treatment regimen and prescribe the necessary medication.
Why do finger joints hurt - the main reason
There are many causes that can trigger joint pain. Factors that cause pathological changes in the joints are:
- influence of external environment (e. g. , prolonged hypothermia, physical injury);
- professional factors associated with increased pressure on the joints;
- hormonal disorders;
- immune and endocrine system diseases;
- hereditary factors;
- chronic infectious diseases.
The finger joints are often sore during pregnancy, and this condition is explained by a lack of calcium, which is most evident during this period. Increased production of the hormone relaxation (which negatively affects the condition of cartilage tissue), as well as decreased immunity associated with the restructuring of the female body during pregnancy, also plays a role.
In addition, experts identify a number of diseases that lead to deformity and destruction of the joints and are accompanied by special symptoms - pain. This is a pathology like:
- infectious arthritis;
- osteoarthritis;
- rheumatoid arthritis;
- psoriatic arthritis;
- rhizarthrosis;
- gout;
- stenosing ligamentitis.
Let us consider the symptoms of a disease that causes joint damage and discuss such pathological diagnosis and treatment methods.
Painful finger joints - what diseases can we talk about
The cause of pain in the finger joints is most likely related to one of the following diseases:
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease associated with damage to the small joints of the arms and legs. The inflammatory process often affects the metacarpophalangeal joint in the middle and index finger. If your fingers are swollen and your joints ache in the morning, this could be a sign of rheumatoid arthritis.
With increased inflammation, the skin above the joints swells, turns red, becomes hot when touched, and dense nodules can be felt beneath it. The pain is so intense that one cannot make a fist. Symmetrical damage to the joints of both hands is characteristic of rheumatoid arthritis. The main symptom of this disease is morning joint cramps, accompanied by increased pain.
The pain usually subsides in the evening. The danger of this disease is that the diagnosis is usually made at a later stage, when the cartilage tissue is already destroyed. If your joints hurt and your fingers become numb, try not to delay your visit to the doctor, otherwise the neglected inflammatory process will cause deformities of the fingers and hands and end up with a deformity.
Psoriatic Arthritis
This is one of the forms of psoriasis, when, in addition to the manifestations of the skin, the distal joint (nail) on the phalanx of the fingers is involved in the inflammatory process. At the same time, their shape changes are observed, they swell, swell, do not bend, the skin turns red and inflamed, and the fingers themselves become like sausages.
If the joint of the right hand is sore (for example, the index finger and little finger), then by the way the left finger joint hurts, the initial diagnosis can be made with confidence. In psoriatic arthritis, the inflammatory process will be asymmetrical, that is, the phalanx in the middle and the ring finger on the other side will be affected.
Infectious and septic arthritis
This disease usually occurs with severe pain in the joints and worsening of the general condition, which is indicated by fever, chills, fever, symptoms of intoxication.
Inflammation of a joint that is viral or bacterial is often associated with damage to one joint, where infectious agents penetrate through damage to the skin. But uncommon and polyarthritis, when several joints are infected at once, in this case the symptoms of inflammation become very noticeable.
Osteoarthritis
The disease is non-inflammatory and is manifested by joint deformities, gradual thickening and limited movement. If the joint on the finger hurts while bending, the fingers take the form of a spindle with a thickening feature in the middle, this indicates the development of osteoarthritis.
The disease is specific to the elderly and is more frequently diagnosed in women after 40 years, which is associated with changes in hormone levels and the onset of menopause. In addition, professional factors, metabolic disorders, and genetic predisposition can be the cause of osteoarthritis.
Gout
This disease is caused by metabolic disorders in which uric acid salts are stored in the joints. Most often, gout is diagnosed in men aged 40 - 60 years and this is due to excessive intake of fatty, spicy and salty foods, as well as alcohol addiction.
Lesions mainly affect the toes, but in cases of unusual disease, the metacarpophalangeal joint of the thumb in the hand may also be affected. Pain with burning gout, unbearable. Its intensity varies and is accompanied by swelling and redness of the skin in the affected joint area.
Stenosing ligamentitis
This pathological condition looks like osteoarthritis or arthritis. Therefore, X-ray examination is required to clarify the diagnosis. The main symptoms are: pain when bending and lengthening the fingers, sometimes the joints can get stuck in a bent state and certain efforts must be made to lengthen them.
Therefore, if the middle finger joint hurts and a feature click is heard during its extension, you should see a doctor as soon as possible. By exacerbating the inflammatory process, numbness of the fingers appears, a burning sensation, swelling, bluish skin color in the affected area.
Rhizatrosis
If the thumb joint in the hand is sore, this may be a sign of this pathology. The disease is usually associated with persistent joint load, penetration of infection or trauma. Common symptoms are increased pain when performing certain actions, for example, turning the door handle, turning the lock in the lock, opening the lid.
It is necessary to treat the disease as early as possible, otherwise the joints will be deformed, and the pain will be constant, chasing a person even at rest. Over time, bone growth appears at the base of the thumb, which practically paralyzes the hand and leads to deformity, as the slightest movement causes unbearable pain.
Carpal tunnel syndrome
This disorder is neurological in nature, as it develops as a result of compression of the median nerve that passes through the wrist. This is due to the normal load on the joints and ligaments of the hand. At risk are people who, based on their profession, are forced to continue working with their fingers (stenographers, computer technicians, musicians, artists). Pain is usually localized in the thumb and forefinger, and the accuracy of movement when performing certain actions is disrupted. In addition, nerve compression can cause poor blood circulation and numbness in the fingers.
Pinching of the vertebral nerves, bursitis, rheumatological pathology, unhealthy lifestyle and other factors can cause pain in the joints of the hands. It is important to pay attention to the alarming symptoms in a timely manner and seek qualified help.
What doctor will help if a finger joint hurts?
In the early stages, you can make an appointment with a therapist, who, after taking an anamnesis, will refer you to a narrow specialist (doctor - rheumatologist). This specialist who deals with joint disease, he will provide the necessary assistance and make an accurate diagnosis.
In addition, you may need to consult a surgeon or neurologist. Based on the results of the examination, the doctor will prescribe the necessary treatment, taking into account the cause of the joint damage, the severity of symptoms, possible contraindications and individual characteristics of the patient.
Diagnostics
The activities required for a correct diagnosis are visual examination, blood laboratory tests, urine and patient referral for X-ray examination. Hand X-rays usually provide the necessary picture of the pathological nature and degree of joint damage.
For the most complete information on the nature of the pain and the cause of the inflammatory process, the doctor can refer the patient for an ultrasound scan, computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This is the most modern and informative research method that allows you to identify slight changes in the early stages of the disease and helps prevent its further development and the severe consequences associated with deformity and joint damage.
Sometimes, if you suspect gout, a special blood test is done to check uric acid levels. To identify pathological changes that occur in bone tissue, contrast discographic procedures are used using special dyes.
The most effective diagnostic method today is electrospondilography, which began to be used a few years ago. This procedure allows you to examine the part of the spine that is responsible for the function of the upper limbs, and to identify pathological deviations from the norm at an early stage.
Methods of treatment
Once the diagnosis is made, the doctor will choose a treatment regimen depending on what is causing the pathological changes in the joint. The principles of treatment, if the joints of the hands hurt, are based on the use of medications, physiotherapy procedures, therapeutic exercises, adjusting diet and lifestyle.
If there is an inflammatory process, the doctor will prescribe pain medication, hormonal anti-inflammatory drugs or non-steroids. This can be a systemic medicine (oral tablets) or an external medicine in the form of ointments, creams, sprays, which help relieve pain quickly. The doctor may prescribe hormonal agents in the form of injections into the joint cavity for severe pain. Such procedures quickly alleviate the patient's condition and contribute to the transition of the disease to a state of remission. With infectious arthritis, antibacterial agents are prescribed.
The development of degenerative diseases of the musculoskeletal system is facilitated by a decrease in chondroitin levels in the cartilage tissue of the joints. Therefore, the patient is prescribed a drug - chondroprotectors, which can stop further destruction of the joints and restore the structure of cartilage tissue.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy methods are an important aspect of complex treatment. These include electrophoresis with novocaine, UHF, magnetotherapy, laser treatment, amplipulse therapy, phonophoresis. The number of sessions and duration of treatment is determined by the doctor individually.
Therapeutic exercises and massages are needed to restore joint movement, improve blood circulation and metabolic processes. During the remission period, patients are advised to undergo a session of balneotherapy (treatment with natural mud), manual therapy. Excellent effect is given by spa treatments with trips to good climate zones.
In addition, patients are advised to lead a healthy lifestyle, quit drinking and smoking, and adhere to certain dietary restrictions. It is recommended to completely exclude fatty meats and fish from the diet, to leave dairy products and fermentation with high fat content. Smoked, spicy, salted, pickled, spices, mayonnaise, citrus fruits, toast, tea and strong coffee are prohibited. Do not eat foods that contain oxalic acid (rhubarb, sorrel, spinach).
The daily menu should include low-fat sour milk drinks, herbs, salads from fresh vegetables with vegetable oils, lean meats, seafood, low-fat fish. Fruits, berries, nuts, ginger, figs, natural vegetable oils with high omega fatty acids (especially flax seeds and olive oil) are useful. An increase in drinking regime is recommended to 1. 5-2 liters of clean drinking water daily.
Alternative medicine
Today, on the shelves of pharmacies, you can find many innovative products designed to treat joint pain. The most suitable medication will be chosen by a specialist.
Traditional medicine recipes
Folk remedies for pain in the finger joints will complement the main treatment regimen, bring relief and speed recovery.
- In the event of an inflammatory process, you can use a gauze napkin dipped in apple cider vinegar or table vinegar on a sore joint. This will help reduce pain, relieve burning and swelling. You can make a compress from roasted onions, boiled potatoes, or heat with hot sea salt and rub with pine oil.
- Grilled onion oil. The onion heads are baked in the oven, cooled, chopped. The resulting mass is mixed with the same amount of liquid honey and vegetable oil (1 tsp each), add 10 g of beeswax and 20 g of dried mustache ingredients. The composition is boiled in a water bath, stirring constantly, until the mixture becomes homogeneous and concentrated. The ointment is ready to be removed from the heat, slightly cooled. In warm form, rub into a sore joint, wearing cotton gloves on top. The procedure is best done at night.
- Honey and mustard ointment. To prepare the ointment, mix 5 g of mustard with 1 tsp. honey, add a tablespoon of olive oil and 20 g of dried Caucasian hellebore leaves. The mixture is then evaporated in a water bath to a thick, homogeneous state, cooled and used for the treatment of sore joints daily.
- Compress. Compresses based on natural ingredients play a special role in relieving pain and inflammation. You can boil the potatoes, crush, wrap hot in a gauze napkin and apply to the affected area. The same therapeutic effect is possessed by ordinary salt, which is heated in a pan. Dry heat can help relieve pain and reduce inflammation. It is recommended to use regular lime as a compress. It should be crushed, mixed with fermented milk drink, soaked in a gauze napkin and made overnight compress. For the same purpose, you can use steamed oatmeal.
- Purple texture. Decoctions and infusions of medicinal herbs have a good anti-inflammatory effect, improve blood circulation and restore mobility of affected joints. The color is completed in the spring as soon as the purple flower blooms. Collect inflorescences, fill with alcohol or vodka and insist in a dark place for 3 weeks. The finished tincture is filtered and applied to the sore joint, after which gloves are worn to keep the hands warm.
There are many popular recipes for treating joint pain. For its use is beneficial, do not forget to see a doctor first and get his approval for the procedure.