Arthritis of the fingers: symptoms, treatment

The first symptoms of arthritis of the fingers, prevention and treatment

Arthritis of the fingers is a serious progressive disease, leading to disability in the absence of proper treatment. This disease is by no means the lot of elderly people - disfiguring joints the progression of the inflammatory process can begin in people of any age.

As with any other disease, to get a good effect and completely get rid of arthritis of the fingers, you have to start fighting with it as soon as possible. That is why the treatment of this ailment must be carried out quickly, qualitatively and, most importantly, on time.

Causes

Why arthritis of the fingers occurs, and what is it? Speaking in general, arthritis is an inflammation of the joints of the human body.

Any joints can become inflamed, however, most often it appears on any small joints. For example, it is a common disease of the joints of the fingers and toes. For the most part, arthritis is a woman's disease.

According to statistics, men face this ailment in two, and even three times, less often women.

1. Infectious diseases. This cause is called the main cause of this disease. Disease of the joints of the hands can become a complication of many infectious diseases, for example, colds, SARS, influenza. The risk of complications increases if the patient has suffered the disease on his legs. People suffering from diabetes, tuberculosis, and HIV infection are more likely than others to suffer from this complication.
2. Exchange disorders lead to the development of non-infectious types of arthritis. This form of the disease is typical for the elderly, as well as suffering from certain occupational diseases or in the presence of violations of the endocrine glands.
3. Post-traumatic injuries and bruises of joints, joint operations, hypothermia create favorable conditions for inflammation and destruction of joint tissues
4. Equally important is the hereditary factor. Although there is no exact scientific justification for the genetic mode of transmission of the disease, numerous observations confirm the fact of the development of arthritis in the immediate family.

Determine the type of arthritis of the hands - this is the most important task, since all species have the same first signs, but the treatment of each of them can vary significantly.

Symptoms of Arthritis of the fingers

The causes of arthritis of the fingers can be different, and the symptoms in many cases are similar (see. a photo). This appearance of swelling, swelling. The skin acquires a purple hue, a weakness appears in the hands. It happens that the temperature rises.

Let's list the first and main signs of arthritis of the fingers:

• swelling of the joints;
• reddened skin in the lesions;
• increase in body temperature during exacerbation;
• dependence of pain syndrome on seasonal changes - pain often occurs in the cold season;
• a strong pain syndrome with the movement of the fingers, the pain intensifies after a long period of rest;
• when exacerbation appears stiffness of movements, the patient can not even pick up any object;
• increased pain closer to the night;
• with rheumatoid arthritis, there is a symmetrical lesion, in which, with the defeat of one hand, the other is necessarily ill;
• weakness, a violation of appetite and sleep.

If the lesion was caused by infectious arthritis, then complications can occur in the form of inflammations of a purulent nature. In this case, the general condition of the body also worsens (increase in the temperature of the whole body, malaise, a weak appetite).

Treatment of arthritis of fingers

Depending on what is the cause of arthritis of the fingers, treatment is chosen individually.

In the case of gout, our actions are aimed at normalizing the purine metabolism, reducing the concentration of uric acid in the blood, and uricosuric and uricodepressant drugs and diet will help in this.

With rheumatoid arthritis, all our efforts are aimed at modulating the immune response, and in the course go immunosuppressors, cytostatics and the newest methods of treatment, such as monoclonal therapy antibodies.

For the treatment of arthritis during the remission period, methods such as:

• physiotherapy (electrophoresis, magnetotherapy, UHF heating, etc.);
• exercise therapy and massage of hands;
• baths and applications using therapeutic mud, essential oils, paraffin;
• acupuncture.

In the advanced stage, finger arthritis practically does not lend itself to medical treatment. An alternative is the establishment of the prosthetic joint by surgery.

Folk remedies

It is permissible in a complex with medicines and other procedures to treat arthritis of the fingers of the hands with folk remedies: ointments of own preparation, compresses, infusions and decoctions of herbs, baths. Naturally, the required methods must be agreed with the attending physician.

1. Honey has antiseptic properties, and cinnamon has antioxidant properties. A reliable tool for relieving pain, this is a honey compress. One st. l. honey mixed with 1 tbsp. l. vegetable oil and 1 tbsp. l. dry mustard. Heat the mixture and apply to the joints for 1 hour. Repeat daily. A mixture of honey and cinnamon, from 1 tbsp. l. honey and ½ h. l. cinnamon, must be applied daily on an empty stomach.
2. It is useful in the inflammatory process before going to bed to reel a white cabbage leaf on a sore spot. Do this so it is necessary to significantly alleviate the condition.
3. Since a very important damaging factor is inflammation, it is possible to prepare an anti-inflammatory tincture. Five garlic heads are crushed and poured with 100 grams of vodka, 10 days insist in a warm dry place, which is protected from the sun. One spoonful is taken half an hour before meals, three times a day. The use does not end until the tincture from this composition is finished in the container.
4. Folk doctors praise the compress of a grated onion. He, along with the juice, is tied to the sick joints and keeps at least half an hour. This procedure is repeated several times a day.
5. It helps with arthritis massage with a mixture of olive oil and celandine. For its preparation we take eleven three tablespoons, pour one liter of oil and leave in a dark place for two weeks. Then the tincture should be filtered and used for massage.

All folk remedies can only be used as a preventive and temporary measure. To avoid unpleasant consequences even in the early stages of the development of arthritis in the joint tissues of the finger, you should seek specialized care.

Prevention

In order not to waste time, effort and money for the treatment of this complex disease, observe the following preventive measures:

• temper, exercise and therapeutic gymnastics;
• strengthen the immune system;
• watch out for body weight;
• stop smoking;
• give up alcohol;
• Limit the amount of salt and sugar consumed, and instead eat a few cloves of garlic daily.

It is also required to enrich your diet with vitamin E. It should be remembered that you can not lift weights, overexert, and you have to do exercises every day, swim and stretch.

A source: http://simptomy-lechenie.net/artrit-palcev-ruk/

Arthritis of the fingers: symptoms, treatment

Arthritis of the fingers is a serious progressive disease, leading to disability in the absence of proper treatment. This disease is by no means the lot of elderly people - disfiguring joints the progression of the inflammatory process can begin in people of any age.

If we consider fingers as components of a human body, then they account for no more than 2%, but the function of these parts of the body can not be overestimated and replaced.

That's why an apparently healthy and still young man, suffering from arthritis of fingers, can become a disabled person who is deprived of the opportunity to perform routine activities in everyday and activities.

The word arthritis means an inflammatory process that occurs in the joints. It is the small joints of the upper extremities that are most susceptible to this disease. The risk group is made up of the fair sex: two-thirds of all arthritis-affected fingers are women.

Causes of Arthritis

There are a number of reasons that provoke the development of arthritis, but not always it is possible to establish, which gave impetus to the beginning of pathological changes in the joints.

• Disorders of metabolic processes in the body and a decrease in immunity, which affects all organs and tissues, including articular. These phenomena are most typical for the elderly and lead to the development of non-infectious arthritis
• Autoimmune diseases, psoriasis and metabolic diseases, gout are the causes of the development of the same arthritis
• Infectious diseases in the anamnesis caused by staphylococci and streptococci, as well as brucellosis, influenza, scarlet fever, syphilis, gonorrhea, tuberculosis, dysentery and chlamydia. The disease can develop at any age and proceeds like infectious arthritis
• Viral diseases, such as measles, herpetic infection, hepatitis B, parotitis. Viral agents are a leading factor in the development of rheumatoid arthritis
• Post-traumatic injuries and bruises of joints, joint operations, hypothermia create favorable conditions for inflammation and destruction of joint tissues
• Hereditary predisposition, which can cause any type of arthritis
• Excessive body weight and excessive smoking can lead to joint disease
• Juvenile arthritis of childhood is an idiopathic disease, i.e. with an unknown cause.

Symptoms of arthritis of the joints of the fingers

Arthritis of the joints of the fingers is characterized by certain symptoms, which are the result of changes occurring in the joints. The disease can be acute or go to a chronic stage.

At the stage of chronicization of the disease, external changes in the fingers become apparent, so in the diagnosis the most important manifestations of an acute process, when it is still possible to stop the disfiguring destruction tissues.

• Pain syndrome. Pain accompanies arthritis of any etiology. As a rule, initially the pain is acute and appears at night. Then joint movements become painful or pain begins after the transferred load on the joints. Since arthritis is characterized by a progression with a gradual capture of the pathological process of new joints, painful manifestations also "flow" over the brush.
• Common manifestations of the inflammatory process, such as high fever, fatigue, malaise.
• Restriction of mobility in the joints. Initially, this symptom is a consequence of the deliberate action of the patient, i. E. a man spares a sore spot and tries less often to subject the joints to a load. In the future, because of the ongoing destruction of articular surfaces, the reduction of the volume of the joint fluid and the extensive inflammatory process, the joints lose their natural mobility. Flexion and extension of the fingers are accompanied by creaking.
• Swelling, numbness and tingling in the area of ​​joints, redness of the skin, indicating extensive inflammation.
• Symmetry of the lesion and subcutaneous rheumatoid nodules on the bones, characteristic of rheumatoid arthritis.
• Deformation of the affected joints - thickening, contracture, convexity, as well as the acquisition of the joint by the shape of a spindle or neck of a swan, characteristic of rheumatoid arthritis. Such changes in the joints indicate a long-term inflammatory process and are irreversible.

Detection of the disease at an early stage and the appointment of comprehensive and comprehensive treatment is the basis for successful therapy of this pathology. Treatment of arthritis has several purposes, the main one of which is the achievement of persistent remission of the disease.

Treatment of arthritis of the joints of the fingers is carried out both outpatiently and permanently. Specialists from related sciences are involved in treatment, who develop a unified treatment plan using pharmacological and non-pharmacological methods.

With the infectious nature of arthritis, targeted antibiotic therapy is prescribed against a particular pathogen of infection.

The leading role in the treatment of arthritis, especially of rheumatoid origin, belongs to the basic anti-inflammatory drugs that are prescribed for long-term use (minimum 3 months, maximum - for life). Drugs of this group are able to suppress the activity of immunosuppressive cells and stop the pathological process, retaining its effect for a long time after drug withdrawal.

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Treatment with hormonal drugs (glucocorticosteroids) strengthens and fixes the action of basic anti-inflammatory drugs and promotes stable remission.

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Biological drugs help block the key moments of inflammation and slow down the process of destruction of joints, and also have an extremely rapid manifestation of the clinical effect.

For the prevention of osteoporosis, calcium and phosphorus preparations are prescribed along with vitamin D.

Indication for surgical intervention is a serious irreversible deformation of the joints, preventing the performance of elementary actions. In the required volume, a phalange of the fingers with affected joints is resected.

• Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy is an indispensable component of the treatment of arthritis, but it is possible only after the removal of acute manifestations of the disease.

In a different combination, the following physiotherapy techniques are used: electrophoresis, exposure low-frequency impulse currents, magnetotherapy, UHF, ultrasound, mud applications, hydrotherapy.

A balanced diet with a high content of polyunsaturated fatty acids, fruits, vegetables is prescribed.

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It is believed that with sea arthritis, sea buckthorn, currant, cherry (in the summer for 20 berries a day), apples, sorrel, plums, blueberries, aubergines, garlic, chokeberry, grapefruit, as well as beet juice (after the preparation of the juice it should be put in the refrigerator for 2-3 hours to volatilize toxic substances), a mixture of beet, cucumber and carrot juice. It is advisable to exclude coffee, alcohol, fried fish, sausages, rich meat broths, beans from the diet. In case of an exacerbation, if there are no contraindications (not more often than 1 time in 3 months), it is possible to observe a diet during the week - raw diet, when the food consists only of fresh fruits and vegetables.

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Therapeutic exercises for the development of patients with jointsare shown during remission, when there is no edema and pain subsides, during exacerbations the exercises are contraindicated.

Exercises help to restore the lost volume of movements, improve the innervation and blood supply of the joints.

The complex of exercises is performed on the recommendation of the doctor, in standing or sitting position and consists in repeating each exercise 4-5 times, preventing the occurrence of pain in the joints:

• Without tension, stretch out your arms in front of you, and slowly, with great amplitude, rotate in the wrist joints first clockwise, then against
• Squeeze and unclench fingers
• Bend your elbows in front of you, lower your palms down, bend the wrists to the left and right in the wrist joints
• Repeat 1 exercise - rotational movements
• Relax hands

The components of complex treatment described above are effective only if they are persistently followed and strictly observed. Arthritis is a disease that recedes very slowly, but in the absence of proper treatment progresses very quickly. Everyone should remember this!

A source: http://zdravotvet.ru/artrit-palcev-ruk-simptomy-lechenie/

Arthritis of the hands

Back and joint health »Diseases

Arthritis is an inflammatory disease that primarily affects small joints. Therefore, the defeat of this disease of the hands is not uncommon.

Many people think that twisted fingers are a sign of old age. But arthritis of the hands can appear at any age. After all, this disease is caused in most cases by an infection.

If several joints are affected, they talk about the development of polyarthritis.

A feature of the inflammation of the joints of the fingers is that the disease progresses rapidly and leads to a complete immobility of the hand.

The patient loses not only working capacity, but also the opportunity to serve oneself in ordinary life. Therefore, the main thing is to detect the disease in time and start its treatment.

If you follow all the doctor's recommendations, you can stop the destruction of the joints.

Why arthritis of the hands develops

People are more prone to inflammatory joint diseases after 50 years, because at this time metabolic processes are slowing down, blood circulation is disrupted, cartilage wears out. Most often, women suffer from arthritis, which is associated with hormonal failures and a heavy load on the fingers.

All this leads to a disruption in the supply of cartilaginous tissue, microtraumatic joints and the development of inflammation. And it can provoke such factors:

• injuries - bruises, fractures, sprains;
• decreased immunity;
• large physical exertion on the joints;
• supercooling;
• allergic reactions;
• surgical interventions;
• tuberculosis, streptococcal angina, tonsillitis, influenza, or ARVI;
• gout, rheumatism, diabetes, psoriasis, venereal diseases.

To suspect development of an arthritis of a hand it is possible on occurrence of a pain in a brush after an overstrain

How is the disease manifested?

In order to start treatment on time, you need to know the symptoms of arthritis well. They differ slightly in different forms of the disease, but there are common signs. If you consult a doctor when the first symptoms appear, the inflammation can be quickly removed and the destruction of bone tissue prevented.

1. The main symptom of arthritis of the hands is pain. At first it appears only in the mornings and passes after a while. Patients describe it as an aching in the fingers. Sometimes there may be a feeling of tingling or burning. Over time, the pain becomes stronger, worries during any physical exertion, and at the last stage of the disease - even at rest.
2. Other characteristic symptoms of arthritis are stiffness in movements, especially in the mornings. Unlike arthrosis, it disappears after the development of fingers or massage. Sometimes when you move your fingers you hear a creak.
3. The last sign of inflammatory joint damage is a change in appearance. The fingers swell, the skin stretches and becomes hot. The affected places turn red. Sometimes under the skin are visible seals - nodules. At the last stage, the joints are completely deformed, and the fingers are twisted.
4. In addition, other symptoms are possible: fever, chills, weakness, insomnia.

Classification of arthritis

Arthritis of the fingers can be acute or chronic. Acute is more likely to occur when an infection enters the joint cavity. Chronic course of the disease occurs after injuries, with metabolic disorders or in people whose arms are subjected to increased stress.

If one joint is inflamed, they talk about normal arthritis, but almost all small finger joints are usually affected on the hands. This is the so-called polyarthritis.

In addition, several types of disease are distinguished depending on the cause of its occurrence.

Arthritis happens:

• infectious - when bacteria get into the joint cavity;
• exchange - when salt is deposited;
• Rheumatoid - in the presence of autoimmune pathologies;
• Post-traumatic - arising on the background of long-standing trauma;
• rizartit - so called a disease that affects only the thumb of the hand.

If the disease affects only the thumb of the hand, talk about the development of rizartri

Features of treatment

Such a disease requires compulsory medical attention.

Only after diagnostic procedures and determining the cause of the inflammatory process can a proper treatment be prescribed. The prognosis of recovery depends on the patient's efforts.

It is necessary not only to apply the methods of treatment prescribed by the doctor, but also to make changes in your lifestyle:

• reduce the burden on your fingers, you may even have to change your professional activities;
• You can not make sharp movements with a brush, lift weights;
• need to sleep well;
• a diet recommended by a doctor must be strictly observed;
• it is necessary to drink every day at least, -2 liters of water;
• In addition to the therapy prescribed by a doctor, the disease can be treated with folk remedies.

After the examination and determination of the cause of the disease, the doctor prescribes a special diet, exercise regimen, drug therapy and additional methods of treatment

What medicines are used

In most cases, treatment with arthritis is necessary with the use of special medications.

You can not choose them yourself, guided by advertising or advice from friends.

All medicines are prescribed by a doctor depending on the nature of the course of the inflammatory process, the type of arthritis, the stage of the disease. Usually, several groups of drugs are used.

We advise you to read:How to treat polyarthritis of the hands

1. In the acute course of the disease and in order to relieve pain in exacerbation of chronic arthritis, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used. "Ketonal "Diclofenac "Ibuprofen "Indomethacin" and other drugs reduce swelling and pain. In addition, ointments with the same action are used: "Dolgit "Fastum gel" and others. They have fewer side effects, and unlike tablets, they can be consumed for a long time. But all these drugs do not treat, but only relieve symptoms.
2. At the last stages of the disease, drugs that repair cartilage tissue are needed. These are the drugs that contain chondroitin and glucosamine. Take them a long time, because the joints of the hands are restored slowly.
3. Pathological processes in the joint cavity often occur due to insufficient nutrition and blood supply to tissues. Therefore, drugs that dilate blood vessels are prescribed. Most often these are injections of Trental, Actovegil or Theonikola.
4. Purulent or infectious arthritis is treated only with the use of antibiotics. Penicillins or macrolides are prescribed. Funds from other groups are often used. It effectively removes inflammation and kills bacteria with a new drug, Minocycline. The instruction notes that it affects the tissues of the joint, helping them to recover.
5. To maintain the immune system of the patient and enrich the body with nutrients, vitamin complexes, preparations with calcium and thiamine, brewer's yeast and biologically active additives on plant basis.
6. In the most severe cases, intraarticular injections of corticosteroids are used, for example, Cortisone. If other treatment is ineffective, antimalarial or antitumor drugs may be prescribed, for example, "Methotrexate".

Relieve the symptoms of arthritis can anti-inflammatory ointments

Physiotherapy and exercise therapy

Treatment of arthritis of the hands should be comprehensive. In addition to tablets and ointments, physiotherapy methods are mandatory:

• acupuncture;
• massage;
• magnetotherapy;
• electrophoresis;
• ultrasound;
• paraffin treatment;
• mud applications.

Folk methods

In complex therapy of the disease, folk treatment is often used. There are many methods: rubbing, compresses, ointments for joints, but you can apply them after consulting a doctor.

• Compresses can be made from grated onions, cabbage leaf, wormwood decoction, mashed potatoes or clay.
• The joints are rubbed with mint leaves, tincture of green peel of chestnut, fir oil or mummy solution.
• Arthritis of the fingers is easy to treat with folk remedies, because for these joints it is easy to make medical baths. They add turpentine, essential oil of St. John's wort, a decoction of poplar leaves or apple cider vinegar.

Gymnastics for the fingers effectively helps to relieve the pain and return mobility to the joints

Preventive measures

It is believed that arthritis should be treated throughout life. During the remission period, when tablets are not taken and ointments are not used, it is necessary to adhere to certain rules.

1. Diet is very important for the prevention of exacerbations of the inflammatory process. It is necessary to exclude from the diet salt, fatty and spicy foods, sorrel, onion, eggplant.
2. You need to lead a healthy lifestyle: give up bad habits, sleep well and play sports.
3. You can prevent exacerbations of folk remedies: drink decoctions of currant leaves, birch buds, horseradish root, juice from thistles.
4. Reduce the load on the hands and avoid their hypothermia.

In severe cases, arthritis leads to severe deformation of the hand and complete loss of performance

Consequences of arthritis of fingers

In the event that the disease develops in the elderly or after an injury, the main unpleasant consequence of it is the curvature of the fingers and deformation of the hand.

This leads to a loss of the patient's working capacity and disability. It is also dangerous when arthritis passes into a chronic form.

In this case, pain occurs periodically, and the process of destruction of bone tissue proceeds imperceptibly.

Only timely treatment can stop the progression of the disease. Serious complications are possible with the transition of arthritis to the last stage. In this case, not only the joints are affected, but also the nervous system, blood vessels, kidneys.

It is believed that completely cure arthritis is impossible. But with timely access to the doctor and the implementation of all his recommendations, you can keep working and reduce the frequency of attacks. When fighting this disease, it is very important that the patient constantly cared for the health of his joints.

A source: http://MoyaSpina.ru/bolezni/artrit-kistey-ruk

Arthritis of the fingers

Often arthritis of the fingers is not an independent disease, acting as a secondary symptom of psoriatic or rheumatoid arthritis, polyarthritis, arthrosis of the joints.

In some cases, inflammation in the cartilage and bone tissue of the fingers, as well as age-related degenerative changes, can lead to a localized manifestation of arthritis.

As a result of pathological processes, hyaline cartilage loses its elasticity and moisture reserves, which affects the mobility of the fingers, and also causes strong pain sensations and deformation of the hand.

The situation is aggravated by a high load and frequency of flexion-extensor movement of the fingers; most common phenomenon - arthritis of the thumb - can manifest itself not only in the advanced, but also in the relatively young age.

Causes of the disease

The main causes that can cause the appearance of arthritis symptoms of the fingers are mechanical wear of the articular cartilage due to age (due to deceleration metabolism, disturbance of blood supply to cartilage), as well as trauma (fractures, cracks, bruises) and working conditions, suggesting high motor activity of brushes hands.

A certain role is played by the hereditary predisposition to joint diseases.

In some cases, the hyperplasticity of the joints leads to an imbalance in the articulation of phalanal bones and its damage. With a decrease in immune indicators in the body, any transferred infectious disease (sore throat, ARVI) can lead to damage to the joints of the hand.

The most common pathogens of infectious arthritis are staphylococcal and streptococcal bacteria.

The main diseases leading to similar consequences:

• tuberculosis;
• sexually transmitted infections;
• diabetes;
• systemic lupus erythematosus;
• psoriasis;
• Rheumatism, vasculitis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout.

Kinds

Depending on the cause, arthritis of the fingers can be:

1. Infectiousarthritis. It was provoked by the penetration of infection directly through the skin of the fingers or hematogenous way after the diseases.
2. Exchangearthritis. The reason is the accumulation of a large number of salt crystals, which occurs in metabolic disorders; in most cases it proceeds systematically.
3. Rheumatoidarthritis. In this case, the defeat of the fingers is the initial stage of the pathological process.
4. Post-traumaticarthritis. It occurs as a result of damage to bone or cartilage tissue with the subsequent development of the inflammatory process.
5. Secondaryarthritis. Caused by systemic diseases of the body (allergic, immune, somatic).

By the type of affected joints, arthritis of the fingers can be middle, proximal, distal; the most frequent manifestation of the disease is polyointearthrosis of the fingers. Often there is also a local disease of the thumb - rizartrit (rizartroz)

Symptoms and signs of arthritis

Common featuresany kind of arthritis of the fingers are:

• pain, aches, tingling in the joints in the performance of any action;
• painful sensations when changing weather conditions, in the evening, at night;
• the need to develop a hand after waking up;
• redness of the skin around the knuckles of the fingers;
• edema, swelling, swelling of the fingers;
• increased skin temperature in the area of ​​small joints;
• weakness of the hands;
• restriction of mobility of fingers, in neglected cases - their complete immobility;
• symmetry of joint damage;
• creak (crepitation) of joints.

When there is rheumatoid arthritis, fever, weakness, and reduced capacity for work of a person can be observed.

As the disease progresses, the surface of the joints can increase, resulting in the fingers becoming wide, bloated.

At a palpation the condensation in the field of a joint is felt, that occurs because of proceeding inflammatory processes in sheaves. Hyaline cartilage cracks, shrinks in size, resulting in motor activity of the arm greatly reduced.

With the accumulation of salts in the joint bag, even the slightest touch to the fingers can cause severe pain.

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Sometimes on knucklessolid cones are formed- Geberden nodes, which appear due to the growth of bone osteophytes.

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The nodes can compress the vessels and nerve endings, which leads to a significant decrease in the mobility of the fingers, their deformation and intense pain.

Consequences for patients

In the event that finger arthritis is caused by degenerative changes in elderly patients or is the result of a sports trauma, the main danger of the disease -severe disfigurement of fingers, its transition into a chronic form.

If arthritis of the fingers is the beginning of the development of generalized joint damage, for example, with rheumatoid arthritis, it is extremely important to consult a doctor to prevent possible consequences and complications of severe disease.

Diagnostics

Usually, the diagnosis is based on the clinic of the disease and the patient's complaints. To determine the degree of neglect of the process, an x-ray examination of the fingers is performed.

An obligatory condition for diagnosis is differentiation between different types of arthritis, for which the blood sampling for biochemical analysis for rheumatoid factor, c-reactive protein, presence of pathogens of infections, etc.

Treatment of arthritis of fingers

In the case of multiple lesions of other joint groups or in the occurrence of rheumatoid, psoriatic and other types of arthritis, proceeding systemically, complex therapy is required, including medicinal and physiotherapeutic methods.

Medicationlocal form of the disease is made according to the following scheme:

• In the acute phase of the disease, a courseNSAIDs(ketonal, ibuprofen, voltaren, ibuklin, diclofenac). Drugs of this series are especially indicated for patients with severe pain, redness of the skin, swelling.
• Drugs based on chondoprotectors- Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate. A feature of the use of funds is a long duration of reception - at least 3-4 months. During this period, the tissues of the hyaline cartilage are able to restore their structure to a considerable extent.
• Vasodilator funds(trental, actovegin, theonikol). They are used in the form of intramuscular injections, intravenous infusions up to 10 sessions.
• Systemic antibiotics(penicillins and macrolides) may be administered in the bacterial nature of the disease.
• Vitamin Complexes, calcium preparations.
• Corticosteroidsand antimalarials (plaquenil, methylprednisolone) are used extremely rarely in case of persistent and severe course of the disease.
• External therapymay include the use of agents with NSAIDs (ointment diclofenac, diclac, fastum-gel, dolgite, etc.). This treatment is preferable to oral intake of NSAIDs, since it has less harmful effects on the gastrointestinal tract. A good effect gives the use of Bischofite liquid when used in the form of appliqués or hands. It is also practiced rubbing warming creams, ointments with bee or snake venom, lotions with a solution of dimexide and novocaine.
• Physiotherapy methods- Warming, paraffin therapy, magnetotherapy, hydrotherapy, etc.
• Manual therapy, massage, acupuncture, exercise therapy.

Gymnastics for arthritis

Outside of an exacerbation of the disease, it is recommended to perform simple daily training of the hands, as theycontribute to the improvement of blood circulation and nutrition of interarticulate cartilage tissues:

• Compression of the hand into a fist and unclenching.
• Touching with the thumb of the pads of each of the fingers.
• Put the palm on the table, then take turns to lift your fingers, and then rotate them in a circle.
• Put your hand on the rib, then press on the table with your elbow, and your fingers while squeezing and unclenching into a fist.
• Clench in your hand a tennis ball, rubber ring or a special hand trainer.
• Push fingers apart as far as possible from each other.
• The second hand alternately bend each finger in the joint.

Treatment of arthritis of fingers of hands folk ways

Traditional medicine is widely used in the treatment of arthritis, while it gives positive results when observing the course of procedures, especially - at the initial stage of the disease:

• An excellent tool that helps to reduce intense pain with exacerbation of arthritis of the fingers -wax wraps.To prepare the product, it is necessary to melt 200 g. beeswax, and then put a pod of hot red pepper in the dishes. Remove pepper after 10 minutes, and then pour 50 drops of St. John's wort oil (pharmacy or home-made). Keep this tool is recommended in the freezer, preliminarily overflowing into ice molds. To use 1, the cube is melted, the mass is applied to the cellophane, which is wrapped around the arm in the area of ​​the affected joints. After 30 minutes. you can wash your hands.
• Paraffinotherapyis also an effective way to reduce pain and inflammation of the joints. For use, the ready-made paraffin for hands is mixed with vegetable oil (per 100 g. paraffin - 30 ml. oil) and 15 drops of St. John's wort, citrus or tea tree oil. Heat the mixture until it melts, cool and immerse the fingers in it, and then tie them with cellophane and bandage. Leave for half an hour, rinse.
• Mix in equal proportions vodka, camphor alcohol, kerosene and vegetable oil. This lotion should be cleaned daily with fingers, which helps improve blood circulation and remove swelling.
• When washing hands, it will be useful to add apple cider vinegar to the rinse water. The agent acts no worse than anti-edema and anti-inflammatory drugs.
• Cook the potatoes and make mashed potatoes. Mix 3 tablespoons of the mass with the same amount of fresh cottage cheese, add flour until the test. Compress from such a test is applied to the diseased joints, after which the fingers are tied with cellophane and cloth. Exposure time - 1 hour. During this period the pain sensations will noticeably decrease.
• You can make baths with infusions of herbs - St. John's wort, yarrow, taolvogi, poplar and willow leaves, aloe juice. These plants are successfully used as restorative, anti-inflammatory agents in the treatment of arthritis and arthrosis.
• Inside, it is recommended to take freshly squeezed carrot juice with the addition of chopped garlic, celery juice, as well as citrus juices, cranberry berries, cranberries, cherries. This will help not only to strengthen the immune system and to fill the deficiency of vitamins, but also to relieve inflammation from the affected area.

Food

The main task of the patient- provide the diet with the necessary nutrients.

This is especially true for vitamins and microelements, for the full intake of which you need to consume more vegetables, dishes from them. Fruits, nuts, seeds, juices, herbal teas are also an integral part of the menu.

Salt and canned food are limited, while the share of dairy food, fish and seafood is increasing.

The most useful additive to the dishes is turmeric, which has an anti-inflammatory effect; it is recommended to consume this seasoning on a daily basis, tsp.

Prevention

The main measures to prevent disease include:

1. Regular exercises for the joints of the hand, the morning warm-up of the fingers.
2. Exclusion of lifting of weights, injuries, stretching of the hands, reducing the load on the upper limbs.
3. Wearing gloves in the cold season.
4. Common restorative measures: exercise, elimination of bad habits, rational nutrition, hardening.
5. Reducing the likelihood of contracting infectious diseases during epidemics.
6. Treatment of all foci of chronic infections.
7. Control of stress level, full sleep, as well as compliance with the regime of work, rest.

A source: http://sustavok.ru/bolezni/artrit/artrit-palcev-ruk.html

Arthritis of the fingers - symptoms, treatment, diet, signs

Arthritis of the fingers is one of the most common forms of peripheral arthritis, in which the inflammatory process captures the metacarpophalangeal and interphalangeal joints. The internal synovial membrane of the joint becomes inflamed, then the pathological process extends to the joint bag, cartilage, tendons, ligaments, muscles and bones.

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Causes and risk factors

Primary inflammatory process usually develops on the background of infection, rheumatic or metabolic pathology, less often - on the basis of the transferred trauma or surgical intervention. In the case of rheumatoid arthritis, hereditary predisposition plays an important role.

Secondary arthritis of small joints, as a rule, is a complication of allergic, atopic and autoimmune states, general infectious or basic somatic diseases, such as gout, diabetes mellitus or psoriasis.

In the pathogenesis of reactive arthritis, the leading role is played by the presence in the anamnesis of tuberculosis, dysentery, hepatitis, granulomatosis, influenza, measles, mumps, scarlet fever, tonsillitis and chronic tonsillitis, borreliosis, Reiter's syndrome and sexually transmitted diseases.

In children, the role of a provoking factor can be played by vaccination.

The likelihood of an inflammatory process in the joints of the fingers increases with frequent microtraumas of the articular structures during manual labor. The disease is often found in tailors, seamstresses, shoemakers, watchmakers and jewelers.

Since the fluctuations of the hormonal background are more characteristic of women, the incidence of arthritis of the fingers is 3-5 times higher than among men.

Arterial hypertension, old age, poor nutrition, bad habits and diseases of the excretory system also increases the likelihood of arthritis.

Forms

Arthritis of the fingers is characterized by a variety of manifestations that influence the choice of therapeutic strategy and medicines.

Depending on the nature of the course of the disease, acute and chronic forms of arthritis are isolated, and in the course of identifying the main etiological factors, primary arthritis fingers as an independent nosological form and secondary arthritis of the fingers as a symptom complex in the clinic of concomitant infectious, rheumatic and metabolic diseases. It should be noted that secondary arthritis of the fingers is much more common than an independent disease.

Based on the number of affected joints, polyarthritis and oligoarthritis of the fingers are distinguished: in the first In the inflammatory process, four or more small joints are involved, in the second - from two to four. Very rare monoarthritis; of them the most common is rizartrit - inflammation of the first metacarpal joint.

Stages of

Arthritis of the fingers is one of the rapidly progressing diseases. Depending on the degree of damage to the joints, four stages of the pathological process are distinguished.

1. In the absence of clinical symptoms on the X-ray images of the brush, early signs of inflammation are found. Periodically, there is a slight stiffness of movements.
2. As the inflammatory process develops, an exudate accumulates in the joint bag, which destroys the articular structures. In the area of ​​affected joints, swelling, swelling and redness appear; can be improved local temperature, finger movements are difficult and are accompanied by severe pain and severe crepitation. Due to the violation of the blood supply, the skin of the hand becomes dry, cold and thin.
3. Progressive destruction of the joints leads to pronounced deformities of the fingers and a constant strong pain in the hands; atrophy of the muscles and tendon contracture.
4. Ankylosis of the articular heads of the bones manifests itself in the irreversible deformation of the joints and complete immobilization of the fingers, as a result of which the patient loses the ability to perform elementary household activities.

Symptoms of Arthritis of the fingers

The clinical picture of arthritis of the fingers is very variable and depends on the etiological form and stage of the disease. The early stage of rheumatoid arthritis is characterized by joint stiffness in the mornings and after a long rest.

This creates a characteristic feeling of tight gloves limiting the mobility of the hand.

In some cases, the patient may not have any complaints, and the only manifestations of the disease are the early radiographic signs of arthritis of the fingers:

• thickening and consolidation of soft tissues;
• slight narrowing of individual interarticular cracks;
• periarticular osteoporosis;
• single cystlike enlightenment in bone tissue;
• roughness and erosion on the joints of the bones.

Characteristic signs of inflammation of the joints of the fingers, as a rule, are observed in the II stage of the disease, beginning with the appearance of painful swelling, erythema and crepitation in the affected joints, and to x-ray signs are added multiple narrowing of inter-articular fissures, cystic enlightenment of bone tissue and marginal deformations of the epiphyses bones. Dislocations, subluxations and ankylosis of the joints are revealed mainly at the terminal stages of the disease.

The localization of the inflammatory process and the nature of joint deformations also has an important diagnostic value.

In rheumatoid arthritis, the first signs of inflammation affect the second and third metacarpophalangeal joints and the third proximal interphalangeal joint.

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Later, the pathological process extends to the distal interphalangeal joints, and then to the osteoarticular carpal structures, as well as the subulate appendix of the ulna. The defeat of the joints is usually symmetrical.

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In the later stages of the disease, characteristic deformations of the hand are observed: curving of the fingers by the type of "buttonhole" or "Swan neck fusiform shape of the wrist and ulnar deformations caused by partial dislocations of the metacarpophalangeal joints.

In the case of reactive and psoriatic arthritis, the joints are asymmetrically affected. Psoriatic form is characterized by thickening of the joints and sausage-like shape of the fingers. Morning stiffness of movements, as a rule, is not observed; Bending functions are mainly limited.

With a reactive form of arthritis, the inflammation of the joints of the fingers proceeds against a background of fever, chills, headache, conjunctivitis and symptoms of infectious inflammation of the urogenital tract.

In gouty arthritis, mainly the metacarpophalangeal joint of the big toe is affected, in the region of which elastic subcutaneous tofusi nodes are formed, filled with urate crystals.

Features of the course of arthritis of fingers in children

In childhood, infectious and reactive arthritis is most often diagnosed, most often developing against streptococcal infection.

The clinical picture of arthritis of the fingers in children is more pronounced than in adults: severe pain and pronounced joint deformities are accompanied by severe fever and general intoxication organism.

The rheumatoid form of arthritis in children is characterized by a persistent current and a weak response to therapy.

If it is not possible to detect the etiologic factor of the inflammation of the finger joints in the child, a diagnosis of juvenile idiopathic arthritis is made.

Diagnostics

A vivid clinical picture of the inflammatory process in the joints of the fingers makes it possible to diagnose with a high degree of confidence arthritis, however, to clarify the etiological form and stage of the disease, a number of additional diagnostic procedures.

During the course of the medical history, the physician draws attention to the connection between the manifestations of arthritis and the earlier Infectious diseases, metabolic and somatic pathologies, as well as with the impact of damaging factors.

During physical examination, a valuable source of diagnostic information is the size, shape and temperature joints, skin color, the nature of painful sensations, functional tests, the presence of extra-articular manifestations etc.

Sometimes it is necessary to consult other specialists - orthopedist-traumatologist, dermatologist and allergologist-immunologist.

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Identification of characteristic changes in the joints of the fingers requires the use of instrumental techniques - radiography, MRI and CT of brushes, ultrasound of small joints.

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Laboratory diagnostics play a decisive role in determining the cause of the inflammatory reaction. A general blood test reliably reveals signs of an inflammatory process.

During the biochemical blood test, the level of uric and sialic acid is determined, which allows to confirm or exclude the diagnosis of gouty arthritis. High rates of rheumatoid factor and C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, seromucoid, cryoglobulins, etc.

indicate a rheumatoid pathology. In some cases, a laboratory examination of the synovial fluid point is indicated.

Treatment of arthritis of fingers

The medical strategy for arthritis of the fingers is based on a combination of pathogenetic and symptomatic approaches. During the acute phase of the disease, the main goal is to eliminate inflammation and pain syndrome.

In the early stages, usually a course of analgesics, muscle relaxants, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs is sufficient, and in a number cases it is possible to do by external application of ointments containing blockers cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1), anesthetizing and vasodilating facilities. In infectious and reactive arthritis, antibiotics are included in the therapy regimen; in the presence of allergic component - antihistamines, and with rheumatoid arthritis - immunosuppressors and immunomodulators.

With more severe forms of arthritis, evacuation of the exudate from the joint cavity may be required, followed by the administration of corticosteroids with a 1% solution of lidocaine or novocaine. Rapid relief comes from hemocorrection, performed extracorporeal way - cryoapheresis, leukocytapheresis or cascade filtration of blood plasma.

After reaching remission, the therapeutic strategy focuses on the normalization of trophism and local metabolism in the field of affected joints, stimulation of regeneration processes in articular structures and restoration of brush functions. Individually selected combinations of physiotherapy and exercise therapy accelerate the rehabilitation of the patient, helping to return to an active lifestyle as soon as possible.

In the treatment of arthritis of the fingers, the following physiotherapy procedures give a good effect:

• electrophoresis and ultraphonophoresis;
• UHF;
• magnetotherapy;
• treatment with sinusoidal modulated currents;
• diadynamic therapy;
• applications of dimexide and bischofite;
• balneotherapy;
• therapeutic massage of brushes;
• paraffin and mud baths for hands.

With persistent joint deformities, conservative treatment is ineffective. In order to prevent patient disability, arthroplasty or endoprosthetics is recommended.

Compliance with diet with arthritis of the fingers facilitates prolongation of remission.

During exacerbations, it is necessary to refrain from protein foods - meat products and legumes, and also salted, fried, fatty and spicy dishes, chocolate, muffins, strong tea, coffee, cocoa and alcohol beverages.

After the cupping of the inflammatory process, food restrictions become less - it is enough to avoid alcohol and Limit the consumption of meat, smoked foods and heavy meals rich in saturated fats and quick-soluble carbohydrates.

Preferred dairy-vegetarian diet, with the exception of vegetables and fruits containing solanine.

Eggplants, tomatoes, pumpkin, green onions, sorrel, rhubarb and hot pepper should be eaten as rarely as possible.

In the diet of the patient must necessarily be present foods with a high content of polyunsaturated fatty acids, easily digestible protein and vitamin C:

• oily sea fish (tuna, sardines, salmon);
• buckwheat, oatmeal, rice and millet porridge;
• low-fat poultry meat;
• dairy products;
• fresh apples, apricots and peaches;
• citrus, kiwi and papaya;
• nuts and seeds;
• garlic;
• turmeric;
• ginger root.

Possible complications and consequences

With acute infectious arthritis of the fingers in the absence of adequate treatment, the risk of development of purulent-septic complications threatening the patient's life increases.

The prolonged course of the disease threatens to result in irreversible deformation of the joints of the fingers, which lead to disability of the patient.

The most dangerous complications of arthritis of the fingers are osteomyelitis, osteolysis and necrosis of the bone tissue, followed often by generalized sepsis.

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Also reported are the serious side effects of prolonged use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

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In some patients who received COX-1 inhibitors in the injectable and oral form for a long time, there have been cases gastroduodenitis, enterocolitis and peptic ulcer due to regular irritation of the mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tract; less often met Nephropathy.

Forecast

The outcome of arthritis of the fingers depends on the nature of the primary manifestations and etiological form, the reaction to therapy, the age of the patient at the time of debut of the disease, as well as the presence and severity of the attendant pathologies. Early diagnosis and timely treatment increases the chances of recovery.

Prevention

In order to prevent arthritis of the fingers, it is necessary to monitor the state of health in general and promptly consult a doctor if signs of infection, metabolic disorders and other pathologies.

It is especially important not to allow the formation of chronic foci of infection, to give up alcohol and control nutrition.

Moderation in food with enough vitamins and minerals in the diet reduces the likelihood of arthritis and gout, especially when heavy meat and fatty foods are not abused.

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