Arthritis of the fingers

Inflammation of the small joints usually does not develop on its own, but is against the background of some common diseases. Arthritis of the fingers is a special symptom of rheumatoid arthritis, but it can also be one of the manifestations of other diseases. It is very important to seek timely medical help, identify the cause of the disease and start treatment to avoid serious complications and deformities. In this article you will find all the information you need to know about this disease.

General information about the disease

Arthritis of the fingers is inflammation of the metacarpophalangeal and interphalangeal joints of the fingers. The disease is common, at any age. According to statistics, women are more ill with them after 40 years. This is explained by the fact that, compared to men, women have a greater burden on their hands and fingers. Original finger arthritis code not determined according to ICD-10 M13.

Depending on the cause, the disease can only occur in the small finger joints, and can be combined with damage to the large joints. The onset of the disease can be acute, subacute and chronic, but then in many cases becomes protracted or chronic. The exception is arthritis of the fingers after trauma: with proper treatment, it ends with full recovery. But if treatment is not prescribed in a timely manner, it also requires a chronic process.

Causes of inflammatory processes in the finger joints

The cause of the disease can be different. Often, the small joints of the fingers are affected in rheumatoid arthritis - an autoimmune disease (with allergies to the patient's own tissues), which is based on hereditary predisposition. The starting point of disease onset is usually some kind of infection. Thereafter, after a while, genetically predisposed individuals develop arthritis of the fingers. In the future, other larger joints may be affected.

Another cause of inflammation of the small joints of the hands is psoriatic arthritis. It is also an autoimmune hereditary disease, in which the fingertip (distal) joint is particularly affected, with concurrent characteristic nail lesions. This usually occurs against the background of existing manifestations of skin psoriasis, but sometimes the symptoms of arthritis in the finger joints appear first.

Often, arthritis of the finger joints develops with gout. The disease has a metabolic (metabolic) origin - the exchange of uric acid salts is disrupted, they are stored in the articular and periarticular tissues, causing an inflammatory process.

Post-traumatic arthritis of the finger joints is sometimes professional in nature. It develops with persistent minor injuries on the hands of jewelers, seamstresses, hairdressers, and others. The inflammatory process is always supported by additional trauma and becomes chronic. After an acute injury (sports, domestic), acute arthritis can develop, which then disappears completely.

Other types of arthritis rarely cause damage to small joints. The provoking factors that contribute to the development of arthritis of the small joints of the hands are hormonal changes (adolescence, pregnancy, menopause), stress, frequent colds and allergic diseases, bad habits, and professional activities.

Symptoms of arthritis of the fingers

Symptoms can vary, depending on the nature of the inflammatory process (acute, subacute, chronic), as well as the clinical form of the underlying disease.

The first signs

The onset of the disease is slow in most cases. There is pain in the hands and stiffness of movement in the morning. Initially, such symptoms last on average no more than half an hour, and then pass. The pain was excruciating, constant, their intensity increasing slowly.

Less often, the onset is acute. Pain appears in one or more joints of the little finger, accompanied by redness and swelling of the surrounding tissue. Impaired joint function: difficult to bend and flex, sometimes impossible to do this due to pain.

With the onset of an acute illness, the general condition of the patient often suffers: fever, malaise, and headache appear. If the process develops inadvertently or chronically, there may be no general manifestations, the changes in the affected joint are also not very noticeable.

The most important thing to do when arthritis symptoms appear is to seek medical attention. The sooner this happens, the more likely it is to stop the inflammatory process at first.

Obvious symptoms

Obvious signs of hand arthritis in the chronic course include the appearance of edema and redness of the tissues around the affected hand area, as well as the involvement of other joints in the pathological process at the same time or vice versa. The emergence of new inflammatory foci can be accompanied by a slight rise in body temperature, increased pain and dysfunction of the affected joints. But more often rheumatoid occurs without general manifestations.

After some time, the inflammatory process can reduce in intensity, local inflammation and general symptoms decrease. After that, the process becomes chronic. Morning movement stiffness appears, the patient notices the feeling of tight gloves on the hands, which does not allow movement. Some time after waking up in the morning and the start of physical activity, this sensation diminishes or even disappears. The appearance of crepitus (friction and clicking) on the affected articular joint is also characteristic.

When patients do not receive treatment for arthritis, there is a replacement of exacerbation and remission with persistent pain and rapid formation of joint deformities (with rheumatoid arthritis) or thinning of the fingertips and shortening of them (with psoriatic arthritis). Arthritis of the thumb often arises with gout, experiencing severe pain, swelling, redness, then disappears without a trace, but with frequent recurrence, deformation and loss of joint function also develop.

Dangerous symptoms

Emergency medical attention is required for the following symptoms of finger arthritis:

• high body temperature (38 - 39 °) for 5 days or more;
• a sudden rise in temperature, increased inflammation and pain in the joints with pre -existing inflammatory processes - may indicate the beginning of suppuration;
• involvement in pathological processes of new small or large joints;
• the appearance of blackened tissue on the fingertips (necrosis) in psoriatic arthritis.

If such symptoms appear, you should immediately see a doctor.

What is the danger of this disease

The main danger of any type of chronic arthritis is the development of inflammatory processes, which eventually turn into degenerative-dystrophic with limb deformities and deformities. The longer the arthritis lasts, the higher the risk of complications.

The stage of the disease

Arthritis of the finger joints has 4 stages of development, depending on the degree of joint damage, which are detected during instrumental examination:

1. Early stage.If there are signs of severe or minor clinical inflammation on X-rays, you can see signs of inflammation in the form of expansion of the joint space. On ultrasound, you can see the presence of an increase in the amount of joint fluid. Symptoms may be pronounced or almost non -existent during chronic illness.
2. Progressive inflammation.On x-rays and ultrasound, signs of inflammation can be clearly seen. Articular cartilage is destroyed, in their place loose connective tissue is formed - pannus. This process takes a bumpy path (exacerbation-forgiveness) or continues to progress. Pain and stiffness increase.
3. Connective tissue ankylosis.The connective tissue of the pannus becomes rough, grows and connects the bone surfaces that make up the joint, as a result of which movement at the joint is limited. Defective fingers.
4. Bone ankylosis.Instead of connective tissue, bone tissue grows in the joint, causing complete instability of the joint and loss of its function.

Possible complications

If left untreated, arthritis of the hands and fingers will develop. The following complications may also occur:

• the development of purulent inflammatory processes with transition to tissues around the joints, the development of abscesses, phlegmon and sepsis;
• fingertip necrosis, shortening and inflammation of soft tissues;
• subluxation and dislocation of small joints;
• various types of joint deformities;
• complete loss of finger and hand function.

What to do with aggravation

With the increase of arthritis, the joints become sharply sore, the skin on them is reddened, swollen, movement of the fingers becomes impossible due to pain. To alleviate suffering, you need to:

• give your hands a slightly elevated position - this will reduce swelling;
• taking any drug from the group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)-Diclofenac, Nimesulide, Indomethacin, Ibuprofen; it will reduce pain and inflammation;
• apply on the skin of diseased joints any external agent from the group of NSAIDs - gels or ointments; Diclofenac emulsion helps a lot;
• see a doctor or call him at home.

With exacerbation, it is impossible to delay a visit to the doctor, it is very important to suppress the progression of the disease. It is impossible to do this alone.

How finger arthritis occurs in different clinical forms of the disease

The symptoms of hand arthritis and its nature depend on the disease that caused it to develop. Defeat of the small joints of the hand is most often found in rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic and gout. But it can also occur in other clinical forms of arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis

In most cases, arthritis begins slowly, invisibly. There is pain in the fingers. The nature of the pain is constant, aching, exhausting. In the morning after sleep, movement cramps appear, which can last up to 30 minutes or more.

After a while, the patient noticed that the fingers began to swell at the joints. Often, the overlying metacarpophalangeal and interphalangeal joints on the 2nd and 3rd fingers are affected. The defeat was symmetrical in both arms. The varying pain is permanent. Over time, characteristic defects of the fusiform finger appear.

Small and painless subcutaneous rheumatoid nodules appear on the skin of the fingers and elbows. The course of the disease is slow, progressive, accompanied by persistent pain, deformity and loss of articular function.

Psoriatic arthritis

In this disease, arthritis develops in the distal (terminal) interphalangeal finger joint against the background of pre -existing manifestations of psoriasis. But sometimes articular symptoms appear before or at the same time as skin symptoms. The disease in most cases begins acutely or badly with redness, swelling and pain in the joints of the little fingers. Lesions are usually asymmetrical, while the fingers resemble sausages.

The disease progresses with severe increase and decrease. Almost always, the nail plate is involved in a pathological process. Over time, deformities of the fingertips occur, they thicken, nails become thinner and also deformed, symptoms of thimbles appear - dotted indentations on the nail plate.

With prolonged disease, dislocation and subluxation of the small distal joint develops, as well as lysis (melting) of the fingertip bone (X-ray mark) and shortening of the finger.

Arthritis gout

Gout attacks begin severely, with the appearance of severe pain, swelling and redness in the affected joint area. Small joints are often involved. Typically, inflammation begins with the metacarpophalangeal joints of the first finger, and can then spread to the metacarpophalangeal and interphalangeal joints of other fingers.

The pain is very severe, the attacks can last from a few hours to a few weeks, and then it all goes away. But with frequent attacks with damage to the same joint, its function is disrupted.

Post -traumatic arthritis

This type of finger arthritis can develop against a background of acute household, industrial or sports injuries, proceed with subsequent complete healing, or (if no help is needed) become complicated by the addition of a purulent infection. Sometimes such inflammatory processes can become chronic, followed by deformation of the affected joint.

Initially, chronic post-traumatic arthritis of the fingers suffered minor injuries to the fingers that persisted. Often this happens to people from certain professions who do small jobs. Arthritis develops slowly, the most traumatized joints during work are affected. If you do not change jobs, persistent deformity occurs with finger dysfunction.

Other types of arthritis

With arthritis such types of reactive, infectious, idiopathic lesions on the small joints of the fingers are practically not found.

Diagnostics

Diagnosis is made based on the characteristic symptoms of the disease and confirmed by examination data:

• laboratory tests - reveal the presence of inflammatory processes, the presence or absence of infection, antibodies to infectious agents, rheumatoid factors;
• radiography - reveals bone changes in the joints;
• Ultrasound - the presence of an increased amount of exudate in the articular cavity is a sign of active inflammatory processes;
• MRI - changes in soft articular and periarticular tissues.

Without additional screening methods, it is impossible to determine an accurate diagnosis (and, therefore, to prescribe adequate treatment). Therefore, if pain occurs in the small joints of the fingers, you should see a doctor as soon as possible.

Finger Arthritis Treatment

After the final diagnosis is established, treatment of arthritis of the fingers is prescribed, which is performed by a rheumatologist (sometimes together with other specialists - surgeons, dermatovenerologists). It should be comprehensive, which aims to suppress the development of pathological processes and prevent violations of articular function. Complex treatments include:

• drug therapy;
• physiotherapy procedures;
• therapeutic gymnastics and massage;
• reflexology courses;
• folk medicine.

Drug therapy

The first task of drug therapy is to alleviate the condition of the sick person. For this, drugs of the NSAID group are prescribed, which relieve pain, inflammation and tissue swelling. Depending on the level of activity of the inflammatory process, the drug is prescribed in the form of injections (injections) or tablets for oral administration. In addition, drugs in this group are prescribed externally in the form of gels, ointments and creams.

The most effective NSAID is Diclofenac, but it irritates the walls of the gastrointestinal tract, making it impossible to take for a long time. Instead of Diclofenac, more modern drugs from the NSAID group are prescribed-Nimesulide, Celecoxib, etc. Such agents are used externally, Diclofenac ointment. The use of NSAID group drugs can provide great relief to patients.

Sometimes the inflammatory process is so significant that it is impossible to get rid of it with drugs of the NSAID group. In this case, glucocorticoid hormones are used - Prednisolone, Dexamethasone, etc. in the form of injections, in tablets or externally in the form of ointments. Intra-articular hormone injections into small joints are rarely performed.

To suppress the autoimmune process, drugs of the basic group are prescribed - Methotrexate, Sulfasalazine, Leflunomide and biological agents (Rituximab). The drug is selected by a rheumatologist and prescribed according to a special scheme for a long course.

To restore joint function, chondroprotectors are prescribed - drugs that restore joint cartilage tissue. They are also set for long courses.

Methods that improve blood circulation and metabolism in tissues - Pentoxifylline and others help restore tissue trophism.

As a strengthening agent, vitamins and minerals are prescribed that increase metabolism and help restore general balance in the body.

Physiotherapy procedures

Complex treatment of arthritis of the fingers necessarily includes physiotherapy procedures. They, like drugs, are selected individually, depending on the clinical form and activity of the pathological process. This can be electrophoresis with Hydrocortisone, UHF, laser or magnetotherapy, etc.

Massage therapy and exercise

Massage and rehabilitation gymnastics courses are prescribed in the period when the inflammatory process stops. They help improve blood circulation and metabolism in tissues, restoring the function of small joints. At home, you can do the following physical exercises to increase mobility:

• roll a small elastic ball on the table surface with the finger surface for one minute, actively involving the affected finger joint in the process;
• with the fingertips of one hand, touch the pad of the 1st finger of the opposite hand; start with the little finger and end with the index finger; repeat the exercise 10 times;
• set your hands so that the fingertips are slightly bent and touch the surface of the table; bend each finger in turn and press the table with it (like a piano key);
• repeat three times.

Doing such exercises should be done daily, gradually increasing the number of approaches.

Folk medicine

How to treat arthritis of the fingers with folk remedies should be told by a doctor. He also chooses the most appropriate technique. You can use decoctions and infusions of herbs for oral administration, and external agents:

• kefir compresses mixed with crushed lime at the rate of 50 g of lime per 75 - 100 ml of kefir; you should get a thick mixture, which must be applied once a day at night; for this, it must be applied on a napkin made of cotton material, rubbed on the sore spot, on top - polyethylene and insulation; so leave overnight; relieves swelling and pain perfectly;
• celery root inclusion; Place 20 g of crushed raw material (dried or fresh) in a thermos overnight, pour 200 ml of boiling water; the next day, drink 3 - 4 doses before meals; the course of treatment is 2 weeks; relieves pain and swelling well.

Surgery

This type of treatment for small joint arthritis is rarely used. With obvious treatment, unacceptable by conservative treatment, arthritis is sometimes performed synovectomy - the removal of a portion of the synovial membrane that produces a large amount of exudate.

In some cases, the joints are replaced with artificial ones, but this is a relatively rare operation.

The latest strategies for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis in this article.

Clinical approaches to arthritis of the fingers

In our clinic, patients are carefully examined using the latest laboratory and instrumental methods, including MRI, and only after that treatment is prescribed, which is selected individually for each patient.

The treatment features in our clinic are complex therapies including:

• modern Western treatment methods to eliminate the main manifestations of arthritis of the fingers;
• traditional oriental methods of treating diseases, making it possible to restore balance in the body, to establish contact of all organs and systems; this leads to the elimination of inflammation, swelling and pain in the joints and suppression of the progression of the disease.

The combination of Western and Eastern techniques makes it possible to relieve our patients quickly and painlessly, and then restore damaged joint function effectively. Clinicians have extensive experience in the treatment of arthritis of the fingers. You can find out more about treatment methods in our clinic on our website.

General clinical guidelines

Patients with arthritis of the fingers are advised to:

• lead a healthy, patient lifestyle; heal in a timely manner, eliminate all foci of infection, which can be a trigger in the development of arthritis;
• get rid of bad habits; eat properly, arrange sleep and wakefulness;
• in case of severe arthritis, do not load fingers, do not do housework, including washing dishes;
• during remission at home, do physical exercises for the hands; classes should be held daily;
• completely abandon self -treatment and adhere to the recommendations of the doctor in all matters.

Prevention of arthritis of the fingers

Prevention of arthritis is very important for people who have a genetic predisposition to the disease (close relatives of this pathology). To stay healthy, they should adhere to the following recommendations:

• you cannot load your hands with physical or long -term hard work, including at home;
• hypothermia must be avoided, hands should be avoided;
• living a healthy lifestyle, eating right, being angry;
• do appropriate sports, train every day;
• avoid prolonged stress.

Diet

Special nutrition is only required for gouty arthritis of the fingers. The patient's diet should not contain broth, offal, young meat, alcohol, sorrel, salads, concentrated tea, coffee, chocolate.

In other cases, it is enough to adhere to the principles of a healthy diet: eat lean meat and dairy products, fish (useful fatty sea fish), cereals, cereals, vegetables, fruits. Avoid high calorie foods, sweets, muffins, hot spices, fried, smoked foods. The food must be regular.

Arthritis of the fingers often develops unnoticed. It is very important to notice the pain in the fingers in a timely manner and see a doctor in a timely manner. But even if you miss time and there are obvious signs of arthritis, don’t despair: you can help at any level. It is a problem to cure a chronic disease completely, but it is very possible to stop its progression, relieve pain and improve your quality of life.