Arthrosis of the fingers: symptoms and treatment, causes, full description of the disease

Osteoarthritis of the hands: symptoms of the disease

It is assumed that the first symptoms of osteoarthritis (deforming arthrosis) of the hands appear at the age of 40-60 years, but can now also be observed in younger people.

It is noteworthy that 80% of patients whose X-ray images reveal degenerative changes in the joints may not experience clinical manifestations of the pathology.

At first, symptoms appear only when moving the hand, but later they can be observed at rest and even at night. The following symptoms are characteristic of osteoarthritis of the hands (they require mandatory consultation with a specialized doctor and appropriate treatment):

• Pain. Typical painful sensations that occur when moving the hand and disappear with rest; worsens at the end of the day and at night. The problem occurs at the beginning of a movement (so-called starting pain), for example, when a person tries to lift a heavy object. As a rule, pain is felt only in the affected joint and does not radiate to nearby areas. So, in the case of arthrosis of the hip joint, the pain may radiate to the lower back or groin.
• Stiffness. Often occurs in the morning, after waking up, usually goes away within 5-10 minutes. It is difficult for the patient to move the hand, and there is stiffness in the joint.
• Limitation of motor ability. The affected joints gradually lose their full range of motion, and it becomes difficult for the patient to make circular turns with the hand. The small joints of the fingers are gradually involved. Deterioration in the functioning of the affected joint can lead to atrophy of surrounding muscles and disability.
• Crunch. It is felt when the joint moves. The symptom occurs as a consequence of a deficiency of synovial fluid and is accompanied by friction of the articular surfaces, hence the development of crunching and creaking in the joint.
• Damage to bone tissue. This radiological symptom is the result of a change in the axis of the joint position, and is also accompanied by the formation of bone growths - osteophytes.

Deforming arthrosis is often accompanied by several symptomatic periods:

• Stabilization period. Clinical manifestations of arthrosis of the hands are constant, but occur only when moving the hands.
• Periods of exacerbation. Symptoms progress with increased pain and joint stiffness. Signs of the disease occur at rest and may worsen at night. Often there is swelling of the joints due to the accumulation of exudative fluid, which occurs as a result of inflammation in response to further damage to the cartilage.

Stages and forms

The classification of arthrosis is based on the characteristics of symptoms and the localization of degenerative changes. The following forms of the disease are distinguished:

• nodular. Dense formations appear in the interphalangeal joints. The formation of Bouchard's nodes on the lateral surfaces of the articulation does not manifest itself clinically. This distinguishes them from Heberden's nodes, which affect distal joints;
• rhizarthrosis. This is the name of the disease of the thumb, less commonly of the metacarpophalangeal, carpometacarpal joints.

If the cause of the development of pathology during diagnostic measures is not established, then it is called idiopathic, or primary. A secondary disease is considered to be a disease provoked by previous injuries, metabolic disorders, and circulatory disorders.

Causes of osteoarthritis of the hands

There are a number of factors that cause the destruction of articular cartilage and lead to degenerative diseases, some we can control, others we cannot. We are talking about genetics, poor chemical composition of the synovial fluid, insufficient blood supply to the joints, the influence of various diseases, including diabetes and hormonal disorders, especially hypothyroidism. We also do not influence age and gender. It is known that the likelihood of arthrosis increases with age and is higher in women who have entered the menopause stage.

The main reasons influencing the development of osteoarthritis of the hands include the following:

• Elderly age. The risk of degenerative changes in joint joints increases with age, although there are older people who do not have any signs of this pathology. It should be remembered that osteoarthritis is not only a “natural symptom of aging”, but also a consequence of many other factors that will need to be identified before treatment begins.
• Hormonal changes. Osteoarthritis of the hand joints often develops in women during periods of rapid hormonal changes. As a rule, this occurs during menopause, when the level of calcium and vitamin D in the body actively decreases. It is important to maintain a balanced diet and take nutritional and vitamin supplements to compensate for the lack of nutrients.
• Professional activity. It has been found that people whose work involves increased stress on their hands are often susceptible to arthrosis of the hands. Working at a computer or a loom leads to microtrauma of the joints and has a negative impact on the condition of cartilage tissue.
• Associated disorders. It has been established that patients with arthrosis have metabolic disorders in the body, for example, problems with digestion or excess weight.

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of deforming joint pathology, affecting about 237 million people annually worldwide. The disease causes disability in 3% of patients.

What are the forecasts

Unfortunately, neither arthrosis of the knee joint, nor of the elbow or shoulder is completely cured. However, this does not mean that you should despair and refuse any therapy. There are many diseases with which a person peacefully coexists, and arthrosis is one of them. Of course, it is necessary to adhere to many rules, monitor the condition of the joints and monitor the course of the disease.

You should not refuse injections of synovial fluid prosthesis if the orthopedist-rheumatologist insists on it. With the help of the drug, the doctor will restore the deficiency of the lubricant - the friction of the cartilage will stop. In the case of Noltrex, such courses need to be repeated infrequently - once every one and a half to two years. If this condition is met, you can rest assured: your joints will continue to serve you faithfully!

Treatment of osteoarthritis of the hands

Treatment of the disease begins after it is confirmed. The diagnosis of “osteoarthrosis of the hands” is made on the basis of characteristic clinical manifestations. In case of diagnostic doubts or an atypical course of the disease, an X-ray examination of the patient can be performed. During the diagnosis, it is possible to identify certain changes in the joint - osteophytes and narrowing of the joint space.

Treatment of arthrosis is multifaceted and depends largely on the severity of the disease. As a rule, therapy is aimed at maintaining physical fitness for as long as possible and combating the pain that accompanies the disease. Today, there are three therapeutic tactics: therapeutic exercises (exercises), physiotherapy and prescription of medications.

Useful video

Dr. Nikolai Karpinsky talks in accessible language about the treatment of arthrosis of the thumb:

Arthrosis is a disease in which cartilage tissue is destroyed. The disease usually affects the joints of the fingers. With timely treatment, stable remission can be achieved, but it is necessary to consult a doctor in time and regularly take a course of vitamins. If there is a genetic predisposition to arthrosis, then you should take chondoprotectors several times a year.

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Exercises for osteoarthritis of the hands

Therapeutic gymnastics is an indispensable element of treatment. It allows you to reduce the symptoms of the disease and the number of medications taken.

Correctly selected exercises increase the range of motion in the joint and strengthen the surrounding muscles. The exercise program should be supervised by a physical therapist and continued at home. It has been noted that people who exercise regularly experience less pain, unlike patients who ignore physical activity.

Separately, it is worth noting the use of manual therapy for arthrosis. Manual treatment is a method of physical influence on the affected areas. Special massage techniques are used to enhance the effect of the main treatment. Chiropractic care is often recommended as an addition to medication to quickly relieve pain and restore normal joint mobility.

Why is it important to eat right when you have arthrosis of the joints of the upper extremities?

Cartilage tissue in a normal and especially damaged state should receive enough vitamins and microelements. If they are deficient, it makes no sense to influence it in other ways: for example, chondroprotectors in tablets or injections will not be absorbed. With this diagnosis, it is important to establish a balanced diet, as well as add specific foods to the diet:

• red salmon fish;
• nuts;
• vegetable oils (source of polyunsaturated acids);
• wholemeal bread and sprouted cereals (contain vitamin B);
• beans, lentils;
• White cabbage;
• fermented milk products;
• fresh herbs;
• poultry meat;
• seafood.

If you have arthrosis, it is advisable to avoid high-calorie foods.

Physiotherapy for osteoarthritis of the hands

For joint pathologies, several methods of physiotherapy are popular, which include:

• Cryotherapy. The procedure involves applying an ice pack to the sore joint for 10-15 minutes. After which you need to massage the hand. Cryotherapy applied to the affected joint effectively reduces pain and symptoms of inflammation.
• Thermotherapy. Therapy is carried out using heated components such as paraffin or bischofite. Also, thermal effects can be carried out due to current of different frequencies. The procedure improves metabolism, accelerates tissue regeneration, and increases local immunity.

Symptoms of pathology

At the initial stage of development, arthrosis of the hands is almost not clinically manifested. Only minor discomfort occurs, usually after severe physical exertion. If a person at this stage does not seek medical help, the intensity of symptoms increases. The severity of pain increases, especially with changes in weather, hypothermia, and exacerbation of chronic pathologies.

Arthrosis is characterized by other specific signs:

• crunching, clicking, crackling when bending or straightening your fingers;
• morning stiffness, swelling;
• spasms of the periarticular muscles.

The course of the pathology is often complicated by synovitis - inflammation of the synovial membrane. In such cases, the skin over the interphalangeal joints turns red, swells, and the pain becomes constant - pressing, aching, bursting.