Fingers are the main tool thanks to which we can perform various work functions. It is therefore not surprising that when the knuckles are more difficult to perform their direct duties or cope with homework. Medical help is needed when the first painful feelings appear, otherwise serious consequences related to the destruction of the joints are possible at an advanced stage.
What to do if your finger joints hurt? It is necessary to contact a rheumatologist as soon as possible for examination and treatment. Only after the specialist determines the true cause of the pain and clarifies the diagnosis will he be able to choose an effective treatment regimen and prescribe the necessary medication.
Why finger joints hurt - main reasons
There are many reasons that can trigger joint pain. Factors that cause pathological changes in the joints are:
- influence of the external environment (for example, prolonged hypothermia, bodily injury);
- occupational factor associated with constant increased stress on the joints;
- hormonal disorders;
- diseases of the immune and endocrine systems;
- hereditary factor;
- chronic infectious diseases.
Finger joints often hurt during pregnancy, and this condition is explained by a lack of calcium, which is most pronounced during this period. Increased production of the hormone relaxin (which negatively affects the condition of cartilage tissue), as well as the weakening of immunity associated with the restructuring of the female body during gestation, also plays a role.
In addition, experts identify a number of diseases that lead to deformity and destruction of joints, and are accompanied by a characteristic symptom - pain. These are pathologies such as:
- infectious arthritis; osteoarthritis; rheumatoid arthritis;
- psoriatic arthritis;
- risarthrosis;
- gout;
- stenotic ligamentitis.
Let’s dwell on the symptoms of diseases that cause joint damage and discuss methods of diagnosing and treating such pathologies.
Finger joints hurt - what diseases can we talk about
The causes of pain in the finger joints are 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 joints of the middle and index fingers. If your fingers are swollen and your joints hurt in the morning, it could be a sign of rheumatoid arthritis.
As the inflammatory process worsens, the skin over the joints swells, reddens, becomes hot to the touch and you can feel tight knots under 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 the disease is morning stiffness of the joints, followed by increased pain.
The pain usually subsides in the evening. The danger of the disease is that the diagnosis is usually made in later stages, when the cartilage tissue has already been destroyed. If your joints hurt and your fingers numb, try not to delay a visit to the doctor, because otherwise the neglected inflammatory process will lead to deformity of the fingers and hands and end in disability.
Psoriatic arthritis
This is one of the forms of psoriasis, when, in addition to skin manifestations, the distal (nails) joints of the phalanges of the fingers are also involved in the inflammatory process. At the same time a change in their shape is noticed, they swell, swell, do not bend, the skin becomes red and inflamed, and the fingers themselves become like sausages.
If the joints of the fingers of the right hand hurt (for example, the index finger and little fingers), then, otherwise, the joints of the fingers of the left hand hurt, a preliminary diagnosis can be made with confidence. In psoriatic arthritis, the inflammatory process will be asymmetric, this will affect the phalanges of the middle and ring fingers on the other side.
Infectious and septic arthritis
These diseases usually occur with severe joint pain and worsening of the general condition, which is manifested by fever, chills, fever, symptoms of intoxication of the body.
Inflammation of the joint of viral or bacterial nature is often associated with damage to one joint, where infectious agents penetrate the skin. But it is not uncommon for polyarthritis, when several joints are infected at once, in this case the inflammatory symptoms become especially pronounced.Osteoarthritis
This disease is not inflammatory in nature and is manifested by deformity of the joints, their gradual thickening and limited mobility. If the joint on the finger hurts when bending, the fingers take on the shape of a spindle with a characteristic thickening in the middle, which indicates the development of osteoarthritis.
The disease is typical for the elderly and is more often diagnosed in women after the age of 40, which is associated with changes in hormonal levels and the onset of menopause. In addition, occupational factors, metabolic disorders and genetic predisposition can become reasons for the development of osteoarthritis.
Gout
This disease is caused by metabolic disorders in which uric acid salts are deposited in the joints. Gout is most commonly diagnosed in men between the ages of 40-60, and this is due to excessive consumption of fatty, spicy and salty foods, as well as alcohol dependence.
The lesion mainly affects the toes, but with an atypical course of the disease, the metacarpophalangeal joints of the thumb can also be affected. The pain of gout is burning, unbearable. They differ in intensity, and are accompanied by swelling and redness of the skin in the area of the affected joints.
Stenotic ligamentitis
This pathological condition looks like osteoarthritis or arthritis. Therefore, an X-ray examination is needed to clarify the diagnosis. The main symptoms are: pain when bending and stretching the fingers, sometimes the joint can get stuck in a bent state and a certain effort must be made to expand it.
Therefore, if the joint of the middle finger hurts and characteristic clicks are heard during its extension, consult a doctor as soon as possible. With the worsening of the inflammatory process, there is numbness of the fingers, a burning sensation, swelling, bluish skin tone in the affected area.
Rhizatrosis
If the thumb joint hurts, it may be a sign of this pathology. The disease is usually associated with constant joint overload, infection or trauma. A common symptom is increased pain when performing certain actions, for example turning the door handle, turning the key in the lock, opening the lids.
It is necessary to treat the disease as early as possible, otherwise the joint will deform and the pain will become permanent, following the person even at rest. Over time, bone growths form at the base of the thumb, which practically immobilizes the hand and leads to disability, because even 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 passing through the joint. This happens due to the regular loading of the joints and ligaments of the hand. At risk are people who are forced to work constantly with their fingers due to their profession (stenographers, computer technicians, musicians, artists). The pain is usually localized in the area of the thumb and forefinger, and the accuracy of the movement when performing certain actions is impaired. In addition, nerve compression can cause poor circulation and numbness of the fingers.
Spinal nerve pinching, bursitis, rheumatic pathologies, unhealthy lifestyle and other factors can lead to joint pain. It is important to pay attention to alarming symptoms in a timely manner and seek qualified help.
Which doctor will help if your finger joints hurt?
In the initial phase, you can make an appointment with a therapist, who will refer you to a narrow specialist (doctor - rheumatologist) after taking a medical history. It is this specialist who deals with joint diseases who will provide the necessary help and make an accurate diagnosis.
In addition, you may need to see 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 the symptoms, possible contraindications and the individual characteristics of the patient.
Diagnostics
The activities required for an accurate diagnosis are a visual examination, laboratory tests of blood, urine and referral of the patient for an X-ray examination. An X-ray of the hand usually gives the necessary idea of the nature of the pathology and the degree of damage to the joints.
In order to obtain as complete information as possible about the nature of the pain and the causes of the inflammatory process, the doctor may refer the patient for an ultrasound scan, computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). These are state-of-the-art and informative research methods that allow you to identify the slightest changes in the earliest stages of the disease and help prevent its further development and the severe consequences associated with deformity and destruction of joints.
Sometimes, if you suspect gout, a special blood test is done to check uric acid levels. To identify the pathological changes that occur in the bone tissue, a contrast discography procedure using a special dye is used.
The most effective diagnostic method today is electropondylography, which began to be used several years ago. This procedure allows you to examine the parts of the spine that are responsible for the work of the upper limbs and identify any pathological abnormalities in the earliest stages.
Treatment Methods
After diagnosis, the doctor will choose a treatment regimen depending on what is causing the pathological changes in the joints. The principles of treatment, if the joints of the hands hurt, are based on the use of drugs, physiotherapeutic procedures, therapeutic exercises, adjustment of diet and lifestyle.
If there is an inflammatory process, the doctor will prescribe painkillers, hormonal or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. These can be systemic medications (oral tablets) or external medications in the form of ointments, creams, sprays that help relieve pain quickly. The doctor may prescribe hormonal agents in the form of injections into the joint cavity due to severe pain. Such procedures quickly alleviate the patient's condition and contribute to the transition of the disease into a state of remission. In 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 cartilaginous tissue of the joint. Therefore, patients are prescribed drugs - chondroprotectors, which can stop further destruction of the joint and restore the structure of cartilage tissue.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy methods are an important aspect of complex treatment. These include novocaine electrophoresis, UHF, magnetotherapy, laser treatment, ampulse therapy, and phonophoresis. The number of sessions and the duration of treatment is determined by the doctor individually.
Therapeutic exercises and massage are necessary to restore joint mobility, improve blood circulation and metabolic processes. In periods of remission of the disease, the patient is recommended balneotherapy (treatment with natural mud), manual therapy. A spa treatment with a trip to favorable climatic zones provides a very good effect.
In addition, the patient is advised to lead a healthy lifestyle, stop drinking and smoking, and adhere to certain dietary restrictions. It is advisable to completely exclude fatty meat and fish from the diet, abandoning dairy and fermented dairy products with a high degree of fat. Smoked meat, spicy, salty, sour food, spices, mayonnaise, citrus fruits, bakery products, strong tea and coffee are forbidden. Do not eat foods that contain oxalic acid (rhubarb, sorrel, spinach).
The daily menu should include low-fat sour milk drinks, herbs, fresh vegetable salads with vegetable oil, low-fat meat, seafood, low-fat fish. Fruits, berries, nuts, ginger, figs, natural vegetable oils with a high content of omega fatty acids (especially flaxseed and olive oil) are useful. Increased drinking regime is recommended up to 1, 5-2 liters of clean drinking water per day.
Alternative Remedies
Today on the shelves of pharmacies you can find many innovative products designed to treat joint pain. The most appropriate medicine will be chosen by a specialist.
Recipes of traditional medicine
Folk remedies for pain in the joints of the fingers will complement the main treatment regimen, bring relief and speed up recovery.
- In case of worsening of the inflammatory process, you can apply a gauze napkin dipped in apple cider vinegar or table vinegar on the painful joint. This will help reduce pain, relieve burning and swelling. You can make wraps from baked onions, boiled potatoes or heating with hot sea salt and rubbing with fir oil.
- Roasted onion fat. The onion head is baked in the oven, cooled, chopped. The resulting mass is mixed with an equal amount of liquid honey and vegetable oil (1 teaspoon), add 10 g of beeswax and 20 g of dried golden mustache. The composition is boiled in a water bath, stirring constantly until the mixture becomes homogeneous and thickens. The finished fat is removed from the heat, cool slightly. In a warm form rub into sore joints, put cotton gloves on top. The procedure is best done at night.
- Honey and mustard fat. To prepare the fat, mix 5 g of mustard with 1 tsp. baby, add a tablespoon of olive oil and 20 g of dried white corn leaves. The mixture is then evaporated in a water bath to a thick, homogeneous state, cooled and used for daily treatment of diseased joints.
- Compresses. Compresses based on natural ingredients play a special role in relieving pain and inflammation. You can boil the potato tubers, mash them, wrap them hot in a gauze napkin and apply to the affected area. Ordinary salt, previously heated in a pan, has the same therapeutic effect. Dry heat can help relieve pain and reduce inflammation. It is recommended to use ordinary chalk as a coating. It should be crushed, mixed with any fermented milk drink, soaked in a gauze napkin and make a compress overnight. Steamed oatmeal can also be used for the same purpose.
- Lilac tincture. Decoctions and infusions of medicinal herbs have a good anti-inflammatory effect, improve blood circulation and restore the mobility of the affected joints. The tincture is prepared in the spring as soon as the lilac blooms. Collect the inflorescences, fill them with alcohol or vodka and insist in a dark place for 3 weeks. The finished tincture is filtered and rubbed into the sore joints, after which gloves are put on to keep the hands warm.
There are many popular recipes for treating joint pain. To make their use useful, be sure to consult your doctor first and get his approval for the procedure.