Brushes are considered the most mobile part of the human body. Thanks to the large change in the range of motion, it becomes possible to perform the best work with the smallest details. This is why it is important to keep your hands healthy at all times. Today many people, including the younger generation, complain of joint pain in their fingers. In some cases, it becomes so strong that a person literally loses the ability to make the usual movements.
general information
The human hand can be divided into three distinct sections: the wrist, the wrist, and the fingers. The metacarpus consists of eight small, irregularly shaped bones. All are arranged in two rows. The metacarpus is represented by five tubular bones, each of which has a base, body, and head. The bases connect to the wrist and the heads form joints with the phalanges of the fingers. The latter, in turn, consists of three phalanges. The exception in this case is the thumb. There are only two phalanges.
The human hands are considered extremely delicate and at the same time precise instruments. Fingers are precisely the tools that allow coordinated movements. Without them, normal life is not possible. All these movements are due to the mobility of the joints. However, due to the high daily activity, this area is at great risk of developing completely different diseases, mechanical damage and injuries. Pain in the joints of the fingers, as a rule, accompanies this type of pathological changes. Treatment in this case depends only on the factor that provoked the onset of the concern.
The main reasons
According to experts, pain in the knuckles can be caused by a variety of reasons. The following are the most common violations:
- Arthritis.
- Osteoarthritis.
- Scholarships.
- Mechanical injuries 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 nodes as well. Arthritic pain in the affected area is characterized by intensity. They arise not only with the movement of the fingers, but also at rest. In addition, in the areas affected by arthritis, severe edema appears, a change in the usual shade of the skin.
- Rheumatoid arthritis. It is a connective tissue disease of infectious and allergic nature, which is mainly systemic. The impetus for the appearance of this disease are severe colds, frequent stress and hypothermia. Rheumatoid arthritis begins with pain in the knuckle joint. Affected areas swell, patients complain of fever, weakness, 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. As the disease progresses, the finger acquires a purple hue and a sausage-like shape.
- Gout arthritis. Gout is understood as a fairly common disease characterized by metabolic disorders, namely purine. According to experts, such a disease can be caused by an increase in the level of uric acid and the subsequent deposition of its salts directly in the joint tissue. 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 occur most often at night. They are characterized by a rise in temperature around the affected area and severe pain. The disease progresses very quickly. After a while, the patient may find joint pain in the fingers of both hands. Typically, the duration of a typical disease attack varies from two to about 14 days.
Osteoarthritis
This disease is formed as a result of sequential destruction of cartilage tissue in the area of the articular 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 also appear at night.
Osteoarthritis of the finger is a fairly common problem. Even minor damage can become an impetus for its development. In the process of developing the disease, the fingers can change their usual shape, leaning to the side.
Rizartroza. With the development of this disease, the joint located at the base of the thumb is affected, which also connects the wrist bone with the metacarpal bone. This disease occurs due to overload of this area. Pain in the big toe joint, visual deformation of the bones are the most common symptoms of this pathology.
bursitis
Inflammation of the so-called key finger bags, accompanied by the 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 wrist area, which is characterized by a soft consistency. It is easily visually identifiable.
With a prolonged course, the scholarship often turns into a chronic phase. In this type of situation, the deposition of salts in the affected area joins the inflammatory process. All this, as a rule, provokes pain in the joints in the fingers.
If the cause of the problem is an injury to the hand, then the pathological microflora often joins the inflammatory process. In this case, we are talking about the development of purulent bursitis. It is associated with fever, headaches and weakness throughout the body.
Mechanical damage and damage
Displacement of bone in the joint is called dislocation. Most often, athletes have to deal with this problem. It is accompanied by the following symptoms: severe swelling of the affected area, deformity of the joints and severe pain syndrome.
The most common injury is dislocation of the thumb. Such a detached adjustment exposes him every time for every wrong move. The thumb is characterized by a strong ligament apparatus, however, and is distinguished by a certain load threshold, after which the extension occurs. All this implies a displacement of the articular surfaces.
The most common cause of big toe dislocation is an unlucky drop in an open palm. It is very easy to determine the presence of this problem, as the affected area from the outside looks deformed. Severe big toe joint pain can interfere with normal activities, work and sports. The skin in this part, as a rule, acquires a reddish tinge.
Osteomyelitis
A purulent process that affects nearby joints and 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: joint pain in the fingers, 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 is progressing rapidly, which is expressed in the appearance of edematous phenomena in the muscles of the hand and even in the forearm. The skin in the affected area becomes purple.
Diagnosing
Timely seeking advice from a specialist, diagnosis, as well as competent treatment - all these factors make it possible to determine the disease and prevent its further progression, the development of serious complications. You should not ignore the pain in the knuckles, as even a small pathology can lead to a complete loss of movement and make the patient disabled. The following diagnostic measures may be required to identify the problem:
- X-ray of the hand.
- Blood tests (clinical / biochemical) and urine tests.
- Determination of the amount of purines.
What should be the treatment for finger joint pain?
Regardless of the true cause of the pathology, therapy should be comprehensive and solve three problems simultaneously: treating the underlying disease, restoring primary hand function, and relieving pain.
Of course, the fight against this or that disease depends on its nature. In each case, the doctor prescribes the appropriate treatment. However, the relief of hand disturbance and its functional development are subject to general rules.
To alleviate the concern, modern medicine offers a range of medicines. Most often, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed.
Glucocorticosteroid hormones are used to eliminate pain due to autoimmune diseases (for example, rheumatoid arthritis). They have excellent anti-inflammatory effects and provide the desired relief relatively quickly.
Special ointments containing anesthetic ingredients can somewhat improve the effect of drugs.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it should be noted that you should not overlook the pain of the knuckles. The treatment offered by modern medicine is most often 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!