Such a diagnosis as arthrosis of the fingers is mainly made to older people, and mostly women. This is explained by the fact that with age, the fair sex undergoes hormonal changes in the body and the production of collagen decreases. The disease is characterized by a decrease in the mobility of the fingers, and its chronic form leads to dysfunction of the hands and deformation of the joints. There is also damage to the articular bag. So what is arthrosis of the fingers? The symptoms and treatment of this pathology will be discussed in detail in the article.
Features of arthrosis of the joints of the fingers
This pathology mainly affects the elderly. Articular structures wear out over time, bone density decreases, cartilage thins, cracks, and bone outgrowths appear. An untreated disease contributes to the curvature of the fingers, the occurrence of severe pain, which increases with the load on the joints, movements becomelimited, stiffness appears. In advanced cases, a person cannot do elementary things: it becomes impossible to pick up a fork or unscrew the cap on a bottle.
Causes of pathology
The main cause of the pathological condition is considered to be a genetic predisposition. If someone in the family had such a disease, then it is likely that the next generation will also have it.
Another reason for arthrosis of the joints of the fingers is considered to be increased stress on this area. The risk group for the development of the disease includes such professions as a pianist, massage therapist and office workers. The work of the latter is associated with constant typing on the computer.
Provokes the occurrence of diabetes mellitus pathology, diseases of the endocrine system. The hormonal restructuring of a woman's body during menopause leads to a decrease in estrogen levels, as a result, moisture loss occurs, due to which cartilage tissue becomes thinner, and bones and joints become fragile.
The most common cause of the development of pathology are injuries of the wrist joints and flanks of the fingers, especially when an inflammatory process occurs. Alcohol abuse, smoking, frequent colds, weak immunity, radiation exposure, endocrine disorders, allergic reactions, infectious diseases (chlamydia) also lead to the onset of the disease.
Symptoms
If arthrosis of the fingers occurs, the symptoms of this disease may be different. When the fingers move, there is a crunch and aching pain, which after a while becomes chronic. There is a thickening of the joints, which is very noticeable from the side, and the affected area begins to swell. The periarticular muscles are almost always in a tense state. Such symptoms are typical for the initial stage of the disease, when there is a loss of elasticity of the articular capsule.
In the second stage, the cartilage becomes thin and deformed. There is constant pain, the movement of the fingers becomes limited, the affected area turns red, the body temperature rises. Puffiness begins to increase even more, and the finger or even the entire hand loses sensitivity.
The last stage of such a disease as arthrosis of the fingers is accompanied by a complete destruction of the cartilage, with severe pain, the fingers are deformed, and their length changes. Swelling and edema in the affected area pass into Bouchard's and Heberden's nodules. The formation of the first occurs at the extreme joints of the fingers, the second - at the middle ones. The joints and bones are deformed, the fingers practically stop moving. Instead of cartilage, growths appear on the periarticular bones.
If in this case the treatment of arthrosis of the fingers is not carried out, then complete immobilization of the hand is possible. The formed nodules often accompanies a disease such as rhizarthrosis, which affects the base of the thumb, the signs of whichresemble ordinary arthrosis.
Diagnosis of disease
To diagnose arthrosis of the fingers, the doctor examines the patient and palpates the affected area. To clarify the diagnosis, the doctor sends the patient for x-rays and blood tests. The resulting images clearly show bone deformity, narrowing of the gaps of the affected joints, osteophytes. Blood tests should be within normal limits, and if there are deviations, the doctor suggests the occurrence of other, more formidable diseases, such as arthritis.
Treatments
If there is arthrosis of the fingers, how to treat this pathology? The result will be much more effective when conducting complex therapy, which includes methods such as:
- physiotherapy;
- acupuncture, massage;
- medication use;
- traditional medicine;
- surgical treatment.
A wonderful effect is achieved when using ointments. They are able to eliminate pain, restore mobility, increase blood flow to the pathological area. Such medications include Diclofenac, Indomethacin, Voltaren-Emulgel, Dolgit-cream, Butadion.
At an early stage, there is still a high probability of a complete cure for deforming arthrosis of the interphalangeal joints and restoration of cartilage tissue. At the 2-3rd stage, the pathology becomes irreversible. In this case, the doctor prescribes conservative therapy aimed at preventingfurther tissue alteration and destruction.
Medicated treatment
If arthrosis of the joints of the fingers occurs, treatment is usually carried out with drugs that only a doctor should prescribe.
The initial stage of the disease is rarely treated with medication. Typically, the patient undergoes therapy with chondroprotectors (chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine), which help restore cartilage tissue and nourish it. It is very effective at the initial stage to carry out physiotherapy. Also be sure to take vitamins and minerals. With the help of warm compresses, pain is relieved.
The second stage of the disease is accompanied by severe pain, inflammation and deterioration of joint mobility. The doctor in this case prescribes non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs ("Ibuprofen", "Indomethacin", "Ketoprofen", "Butadion", "Diclofenac", "Piroxicam"), chondroprotectors and hyaluronic acid. Treatment of arthrosis is recommended to be carried out in a complex manner, so the course of therapy also includes the use of vasodilators. Basically, these are Pentoxifylline, Agapurin, Teonikol.
In the third stage, strong painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs, such as "Nise", "Fastum-gel", are usually already used. Surgical treatment is carried out when all of the above methods turned out to be ineffective, and the deformation of the cartilage tissue caused completeloss of mobility of the fingers.
Treatment at home
If arthrosis of the joints of the fingers occurs, treatment is also carried out in folk ways. But they will not be aimed at combating symptoms, but at strengthening immunity and restoring metabolism.
There are the following ways to treat the disease at home:
- exercise that gently warms up the joints and stretches the muscles;
- following a diet, but it is forbidden to starve;
- a visit to the bathhouse, the steam room of which activates metabolic processes and softens muscle tissue;
- the use of hirudotherapy, as the substances contained in the saliva of leeches thin the blood and eliminate pain;
- herbal treatment, but in this case, care should be taken, because simultaneous use with anti-inflammatory non-steroidal drugs causes a strong allergic reaction.
Preventive measures
To avoid such a formidable disease as arthrosis of the fingers, doctors recommend taking preventive measures, namely:
- do moderate exercise;
- keep your hands warm, prevent hypothermia;
- keep he althy eating.
Such preventive measures are the best remedy for finger pathology.
Conclusion
Thus, we found out what arthrosis of the fingers is, the symptoms and treatment of thisdiseases were also considered. This pathology occurs mainly in old age, when the body is already wearing out. This ailment causes discomfort, and subsequently severe pain. It is important not to start such a disease, and if all the doctor's recommendations are followed, a complete recovery occurs.
