Elderly people often complain of pain in the joints of their fingers.This is due to various inflammatory processes, disorders and degenerative changes in the tissues of joints, cartilage, ligaments and tendons, as well as the results of injuries.But there are many diseases that cause similar symptoms at a younger age.
In this case, it is important to detect the cause of the pathology in time in order not to start the disease, which can lead to serious consequences without adequate treatment.
Common Causes of Pain
The causes of discomfort in the joints of the fingers can be divided into 3 groups:
- Pain caused by inflammation.They are most often expressed in the morning and after resting the hands for a long time.It decreases with physical activity.There are signs such as redness, swelling, stiffness of the skin when bending and straightening the fingers.
- Pain associated with disruption of the structure of cartilage and bone tissue.It is caused by age-related and hormonal changes, professional stress and genetic predisposition.
- Mechanical and posttraumatic pain.It is associated with long-term physical activity and injury outcomes.
Diseases with this symptomatology
Let's consider the most common inflammatory pathologies.
Rheumatoid arthritis
It can occur at any age and is more commonly diagnosed in women.The disease affects the joints of the middle and index fingers.It is characterized by swelling in the morning, stiffness of joint movements, aching pain that increases during the day and decreases in the evening.The skin around the affected joints becomes red and swollen.The development of pathology causes damage to the larger joints of the hands and disturbances in the work of internal organs.
Rheumatoid arthritis is also characterized by symmetry: when the fingers of the left hand are affected, damage also occurs on the right.A characteristic sign is the formation of rheumatoid nodules, deformation and curvature of the fingers.
Gout
Pathology associated with metabolic disorders and the formation of excess uric acid salts.It is formed in people who consume foods high in purines (meat, broth, smoked and salty foods, strong black tea and coffee).It begins with damage to the joint of the pathological thumb - pain at night, after wearing heavy things, stiffness of movement, the formation of a pineal seal on the joint, redness and swelling of the skin.
Psoriatic arthritis
It is a result of psoriasis and is characterized by an inflammatory process accompanied by redness, swelling, stiffness of movement, changes in the appearance of the hands (fingers look like sausages) in all finger joints.The pathology is characterized by asymmetric lesions: if the pain occurs in the area of the little finger and index finger of the right hand, the middle and ring fingers may be affected on the left.The pain is localized in the area of the nail phalanx and occurs when bending the tips of the fingers.
Reactive arthritis
With an infectious lesion of the body and the penetration of external microflora into the joints, a pathology characterized by severe pain, fever, chills and high temperature lasting several days may occur.Symptoms are more pronounced with damage to multiple joints - polyarthritis.
Stenotic ligamentitis
Damage to the annular ligament of the fingers.It occurs as a result of diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and excessive physical exertion.It is characterized by painful damage to all joints except the little finger;There are difficulties with bending and extending the fingers, which requires effort.During stretching, clicks occur due to a violation of the elasticity of ligaments and tendons.When the pathology worsens, swelling is observed, the skin turns blue, and there is a feeling of numbness.Symptoms are strongest at night and in the morning.
Other inflammatory diseases
In addition, the causes of pain:
- Arthralgia.It occurs as a result of inflammation or mechanical damage.Fingers become red and swollen, difficulties arise even when performing the simplest operations.
- Rheumatism.It is a complication after sore throat.In addition to joint pain, disorders in the work of the cardiovascular system occur.
- Bursitis.Accumulation of fluid in the joint capsule results in inflammation and swelling.Sharp pain is noted when pressing on the pad of the affected finger.The skin becomes dark red and the temperature may rise.Pathology most often develops as a result of injury.
Other disorders that cause discomfort in the finger joints are tenosynovitis, osteomyelitis, de Quervain's disease, panaritium, etc.
Osteoarthritis
It is characterized by painful sensations provoked by the destruction of cartilage and bone tissue of the joints as a result of metabolic disorders, hormonal imbalances, professional stress, the results of injuries and genetic predispositions.
The disease develops gradually, affecting all fingers in turn.The increase in pain is provoked by physical activity, the hands become numb and ache, and a characteristic crunching sound occurs when the fingers move.External changes affect the shape of the fingers: due to the thickening in the middle part, they resemble a spindle;with advanced disease, their curling is noted.This clinical picture is most often seen in elderly people.
Types of osteoarthritis are rhizarthrosis (damage and deformation of the big toe joint) and polyosteoarthrosis (interphalangeal joint dysfunction).
Cervical osteochondrosis
With disorders of the musculoskeletal system associated with the cervical vertebra, pinching of the nerve endings of the upper limbs occurs.When turning the head, sneezing, coughing, pain may occur in the joints of the hands.It looks like an electric discharge running along the hands.Patients feel numbness and stiffness when moving the hand.
The appearance of pain in the joints of the hands can be caused by mechanical damage and injuries, including:
- Bruises, pinches, burns, cuts.Damage to periarticular or connective tissues occurs, when blood supply is disrupted or nerve endings are damaged, causing pain.
- Dislocations.The most common is a dislocation of the thumb.A sharp pain appears, the area around the protruding joint turns red and swells.
- Injury to the ulnar nerve.With developed neuropathy, there is numbness of the affected limbs and impaired motor functions.
- Tunnel syndrome.Damage to the joint of the index finger of the right hand associated with working for a long time at the computer.With prolonged stress, pinched nerve endings can occur.
- Vibration syndrome.It is related to the professional activity of people involved in vibration technology.The pathology goes through several stages: from pain and numbness to the complete loss of sensitivity in the fingers, which acquires a whitish color due to insufficient blood supply to the vessels.
Who to contact and how to treat
If pathological symptoms appear, the patient should consult a specialist (surgeon, traumatologist, rheumatologist, neurologist) or therapist to conduct diagnostic tests and prescribe adequate treatment.
Depending on the cause and symptoms of the pathology, the specialist will tell you what to do to eliminate the pain syndrome and restore the lost functions of the damaged organ.The scheme involves the use of physical and drug therapy, folk remedies, massage and therapeutic exercises.During treatment, it is important to follow a diet that limits the foods that cause the development of pathology.During the rehabilitation period, sanatorium-spa treatment is indicated.
Pain relief methods
At home, in case of injuries and mechanical damage to the joints, the patient is given first aid by applying an ice pack to the injured area for 2-3 hours or treating the affected surface with an anesthetic (chlorethyl-containing product).In the case of dislocations and non-displaced fractures of the limbs, it is important to ensure their immobilization before medical examination.
Antibiotics, hormonal drugs, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and glucocorticosteroids are used for inflammatory pathologies.
Chondroprotectors are used for diseases associated with the breakdown of cartilage and bone tissue.
Local pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs are used for minor inflammatory processes.
Preventive measures
Joint diseases can be treated if you see a doctor on time and follow the established recommendations.The following will help prevent the development of pathologies: proper nutrition, absence of bad habits, reducing physical activity in the fingers.A good effect is achieved by performing a series of therapeutic exercises for the hands, massage of the limbs, relaxing and soothing baths with decoctions of medicinal plants.