Brushes are considered to be the most mobile part of the human body. Thanks to the great change in the range of motion, it becomes possible to perform the finest work with the smallest details. That is why it is important that your hands are always healthy. Today, many people, including the younger generation, complain of pain in the finger joints. In some cases, it becomes so strong that a person literally loses the ability to make normal movements.
general information
The human hand can be divided into three different parts: wrist, wrist and fingers. The metacarpus consists of eight small bones of irregular shape. They are all arranged in two rows. The metacarpus is represented by five tubular bones, each with a base, body, and head. The bases connect with the wrist, and the heads form the joints with the phalanges of the fingers. The latter, in turn, consist of three phalanges. The exception in this case is the thumb. It has only two phalanges.
Human hands are considered extremely delicate and at the same time precise instruments. Fingers are precisely the means that enable coordinated movements. Without them, a normal life is not possible. All these movements are due to the mobility of the joints. However, due to high daily activity, this area is at high risk of developing completely different ailments, mechanical damage and injuries. Pain in the finger joints, as a rule, accompanies this type of pathological changes. Treatment in this case depends solely on the factor that caused the onset of discomfort.
The main reasons
According to experts, pain in the finger joints can be caused by various reasons. Below are the most common violations:
- Arthritis.
- Osteoarthritis.
- Bursitis.
- Mechanical damage and injuries.
- Osteomyelitis.
Arthritis
Arthritis refers to acute or chronic inflammation of the joints. Isolated finger lesions are very rare. As a rule, in such patients the pathological process affects other joints as well. Arthritic pain in the affected area is marked by intensity. They occur not only when moving the fingers, but also at rest. In addition, in areas affected by arthritis, the appearance of severe edema, a change in the usual skin tone.
- Rheumatoid arthritis. This is a connective tissue disease of infectious and allergic nature, which is mostly systemic in nature. The impetus for the development of this disease are severe colds, frequent stress and hypothermia. Rheumatoid arthritis begins with pain in the index finger joint. Affected areas swell, patients complain of fever, feeling weak, chills.
- Psoriatic arthritis. As a rule, this type of pathology develops in those patients who already have psoriatic manifestations on the skin. These are dry scaly spots with a reddish tinge. With the development of the disease, the finger acquires a purple hue and a sausage-like shape.
- Gouty arthritis. Gout is understood as a fairly common disease characterized by metabolic disorders, ie purines. According to experts, such a disease can be caused by an increase in uric acid levels and subsequent deposition of its salts directly in the joint tissues. Typically, a gout attack begins with severe discomfort in the big toe joint. In the absence of timely treatment, the pathology spreads to other joints. Gout attacks usually occur at night. They are characterized by a rise in temperature around the affected area and severe pain. The disease progresses very quickly. After some time, the patient may feel pain in the joints in the fingers of both hands. Typically, the duration of a typical attack of the disease ranges from two to about 14 days.
Osteoarthritis
This disease occurs as a result of successive destruction of cartilage tissue in the area of the joint surface. In the case of this pathology, painful discomfort initially occurs only after prolonged physical exertion. Then, as the disease progresses, the intensity of the pain increases, it can appear even at night.
Osteoarthritis of the fingers is a fairly common problem. Even insignificant damage can become a stimulus for its development. In the process of disease development, the fingers can change their usual shape, bending to the side.
Rizarthrosis. The development of this disease affects the joint located at the base of the thumb, which also connects the wrist bone with the metacarpal bone. This disease occurs due to overloading of this area. Pain in the thumb joint, visual deformity of the bones are the most common symptoms of this pathology.
Bursitis
Inflammation of the so-called joint bags of the fingers, followed by accumulation of fluid in their cavity, is called bursitis. This pathology is characterized by painful sensations in the affected area, the appearance of edema, redness. The main symptom of bursitis is the formation of a round swelling in the area of the joint, which is characterized by a soft consistency. Easily recognizable visually.
With prolonged course, bursitis often progresses to a chronic phase. In this situation, salt deposition in the affected area joins the inflammatory process. All this, as a rule, causes pain in the joints of the fingers.
If the cause of the problem is an injury to the hand, then the pathological microflora is often associated with the inflammatory process. In this case we are talking about the development of purulent bursitis. It is accompanied by fever, headache and weakness throughout the body.
Injuries and mechanical damage
The movement of bones in the joints is called dislocation. Athletes usually face this problem. It is accompanied by the following symptoms: severe swelling of the affected area, joint deformity and severe pain syndrome.
The most common injury is a dislocated thumb. Such a separate arrangement exposes him every time to any wrong move. However, the thumb is characterized by a strong ligament apparatus, and it is characterized by a certain load threshold, after exceeding which stretching occurs. All of this involves moving the articular surfaces.
The most common cause of thumb dislocation is an unfortunate fall on the open palm. It is very easy to determine the presence of this problem because the externally affected area looks deformed. Severe pain in the thumb joint can interfere with normal activities, work and sports. The skin in this part, as a rule, takes on a reddish hue.
Osteomyelitis
The purulent process that affects the joints and nearby soft tissues is called osteomyelitis. This pathology develops due to the penetration of bacteria into the body, constantly producing pus.
Acute osteomyelitis usually begins with a rise in temperature of up to 40 degrees. The patient's condition deteriorates very quickly, which is caused by severe intoxication of the body. In addition, the patient may experience the following symptoms: pain in the finger joints, chills, loss of consciousness, vomiting.
During the first two days, the pain in the hands gradually increases. Active finger movements are usually impossible. The pathology progresses rapidly, which is expressed in the appearance of edematous phenomena in the muscles of the hand and even the forearm. The skin in the affected area turns purple.
Diagnosis
Timely seeking advice from a specialist, diagnosis, as well as competent treatment - all these factors enable the diagnosis of the disease and prevent its further progression, the development of serious complications. You should not neglect the pain in the finger joints, because even minor pathology can lead to complete loss of movement and incapacitate the patient. The following diagnostic measures may be needed to identify the problem:
- X-ray of the hand.
- Blood tests (clinical / biochemical) and urine tests.
- Determination of purine amount.
What should be the treatment for finger pain?
Regardless of the real cause of the pathology, the therapy should be comprehensive and solve three problems at the same time: treating the main disease, restoring the primary function of the hand and relieving pain.
Of course, the fight against this or that disease depends on its nature. In any case, the doctor prescribes the appropriate treatment. However, the alleviation of discomfort in the hand and its functional development are subject to general rules.
To alleviate the ailments, modern medicine offers a variety of remedies. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are most commonly prescribed.
Glucocorticosteroid hormones are used to relieve pain caused by autoimmune diseases (for example, rheumatoid arthritis). They have excellent anti-inflammatory action and provide the desired relief relatively quickly.
Special ointments that contain anesthetic components may somewhat enhance the effect of medications.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it should be noted that you should not neglect the pain in the finger joints. The treatment offered by modern medicine is usually effective in combating this problem. The main thing is to seek medical help in a timely manner and undergo the necessary diagnostic examination. Be healthy!