Our hands work constantly - they help us to use ourselves, to perform tasks at home and at work, to do other useful things. You can do the most precise job with your fingers. All this is possible thanks to the joints. But when the finger joints hurt, we immediately look for reasons for it and treatment options. Such pains cannot be ignored and will not succeed because they directly affect life.
Why finger pain occurs - main causes
There are a number of factors that lead to the development of the disease, among them:
- damage to the immune system;
- chronic infections;
- change in hormone levels. This only affects pain during pregnancy and after childbirth;
- metabolic disorder;
- heredity. If there were people in the family who suffer from joint diseases, then this predisposition can be inherited;
- negative factors. Among them - often finding hands in cold water.
Pay attention!Pain syndrome can manifest in athletes who receive a lot of microtrauma. It can also be associated with professional characteristics.
Diseases that cause lesions
Let's list the main diseases that can cause pain in the finger joints.
Rheumatoid arthritis
This pathology can develop in both adults and children. Most women are susceptible to it, they have such a diagnosis 2-3 times more often. The place that suffers from this disease are small joints. A characteristic feature is the symmetrical gripping of both arms. Other symptoms that the doctor must see are:
- Swelling of the finger joints.
- Stiffness of finger movements is felt in the morning.
- The distal joints feel numb and cold.
- Accumulation of fluid in the joint capsules.
- A neoplasm appears under the skin. These are rheumatoid nodules.
- The fingers are curved and fan-shaped.
This disease is shown not only in the condition of the fingers, but can lead to complications on the internal organs, so the question arises: "what to do? " only in this case is relevant. First of all - see a doctor immediately!
Gout Arthritis
The cause of this disease is a violation of purine metabolism, which leads to salt deposition. In this case, it is important to understand why such a process develops. Men over the age of 40 suffer from it. Moreover, the prerequisites for defeat are: increased consumption of fatty foods, alcohol. Less commonly, gouty arthritis is one of the symptoms of leukemia.
Inflammation does not spread to all joints, it most often affects the thumbs. Symptoms are pronounced:
- night pains;
- the skin in the affected area becomes purple and swollen;
- the affected finger is very sensitive, impossible to touch, does not bend;
- pain occurs in seizures that occur after prolonged physical exertion.
Psoriatic arthritis
This is one of the complications of psoriasis. According to statistics, it occurs in 15%. Arthritis affects the distal phalanges, there is a feeling of excruciating pain. Strong edema develops, fingers become like sausages, skin becomes red.
Osteoarthritis
With this disease, dystrophic changes in cartilage occur. The reasons are different: injuries, metabolic disorders, hereditary factors, hormonal changes, occupational stress.
Pay attention!This lesion is especially common in the elderly.
Osteoarthritis is asymptomatic in most cases in the early stages. The disease develops slowly and gradually, so the question is often not asked how to alleviate the pain, because the syndrome is mild.
Arthralgia
These are pains in the finger joints that prevent a person from living fully. He cannot write normally, take even light objects, perform simple actions. All fingers, including the little finger, are affected. Pain syndrome can cause mechanical damage or inflammation. The first option is trauma, bruising, sprain. The second is a consequence of the development of the disease. In this case, the joint swells, reddens. Finding the answer to the question of what to treat is possible only after the final diagnosis.
Important!Problems with the joints of the hands can be a complication of past diseases, among which are: rubella, salmonellosis, worsening of sinusitis, tonsillitis, ARVI.
Vibration disease
This is an occupational disease that develops in people who are constantly working with hand tools that create vibrations. In this case, the disease can develop in several stages:
- First, there is pain, numbness, "tingling" in the fingers.
- Furthermore, the pain intensifies, with time the sensitivity of the skin decreases, including vibrations. There is a violation of vascular tone.
- Trophic complications develop in the last stage. This is fraught with the loss of both individual fingers of the hand and the amputation of the hand.
Panaritium
This sounding name indicates inflammation of the soft tissues of the finger. Occurs if the infection has penetrated through a cut, sting and so on. The first obvious sign is a strong throbbing pain. It gets worse at night, the skin swells, pus is released from the wound.
Methods for treating pain in the finger joints
You can learn how to relieve pain and heal yourself by a specialist. But for that you need to know which doctor is treating - whether it’s a rheumatologist or an orthopedist. But you will have to go to a surgeon if the disease becomes neglected.
The main task in the initial stages of treatment is to alleviate the manifestations of the disease. The measures to be taken depend on the nature of the pain. These include:
- If they occur as a result of inflammation, antibiotics, hormones, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed.
- If the lesions are dystrophic, the first step is cartilage regeneration. Chondroprotectors and auxiliary measures in the form of massage and physiotherapy are used for that.
Pay attention!Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can have a number of side effects, including nausea, vomiting, indigestion, diarrhea.
Remedy for joint pain
First aid for worsening rheumatoid arthritis are glucocorticosteroids. Their reception is combined with the use of special ointments that act as an anesthetic. After removing the aggravation, the body must be supported. Cytostatics are used for this.
What you need to know about chondroprotectors
These drugs are supplements that stimulate cartilage tissue regeneration.
Chondroprotectors stimulate the formation of the main component of cartilage, prevent the destruction of joint structures, activate the production of intra-articular fluid. They also have a pronounced anti-inflammatory effect.
Pay attention!In case of serious joint damage, chondroprotectors alone will not help - an integrated approach is needed.
Gymnastics, manual therapy
A set of special exercises is selected according to the severity of the condition and only after the removal of acute pain. All manipulations are aimed at optimizing the mobility of the joints, ensuring normal blood flow, metabolic processes. In this case, strong loads are not applied - this can lead to complete destruction of the tissue. If you feel pain, you do not need to stretch your fingers by force.
Regarding physiotherapy, standard localized methods are used:
- electrophoresis;
- microwave resonance;
- ampulse therapy;
- magnetic therapy;
- laser treatment.
The key to successful treatment will be not only strict adherence to medical recommendations and adherence to all recommended procedures, but also a healthy lifestyle.
Fatty, salty, spicy foods should be excluded from the diet. It is worth giving up alcohol and reducing the frequency of smoking.
Traditional medicine in the treatment of finger joints
Folk remedies for this problem are also used. But these drugs will not cure, but only temporarily relieve the pain.
Fat
Ointment can be prepared from propolis and oil. You have to take corn or sunflower. Ratio: one part propolis and three parts oil. The ingredients must be dissolved and mixed thoroughly. After cooling, pour into an opaque glass jar and use two to three times a day.
Helbebore vegetable ointment. To prepare it, you need:
- chopped twenty grams of corn (plants).
- twenty grams of honey.
- ten grams of vegetable oil.
- five grams of dry mustard.
Put all the ingredients in an enamel bowl and dissolve in a water bath. Stir until smooth. Cool, transfer to a glass jar, keep cool. Use at bedtime on affected areas.
Compresses
Treats with fruit vinegar. The soaked material should be applied to the affected areas for ten to fifteen minutes.
Another effective wrap is done like this:
- mix 1 part vodka;
- 1 part valerian tincture;
- put 2 pods of hot pepper in the mixture;
- keep the tincture in a dark place for at least 3 hours.
Use it by moistening a cotton swab and applying to the affected area several times a day.
Garlic juice is used for dressings and for swallowing with warm milk. In the spring you can make a tincture of lilac flowers. They should be crushed and insist on alcohol or vodka for 2 weeks. Then use to rub sore joints. Hands should be kept warm until the effect of the tincture is felt.
Conclusion
The causes of finger joint pain can vary, so treatment methods vary. Self-medication is not worth it. It is better to consult a doctor for qualified help - this will help avoid complications in the future.