Elderly people often complain that their fingers hurt.This is due to various inflammatory processes, disorders and degenerative changes in the tissues of the joints, cartilage, ligaments and tendons, as well as the consequences of injuries.But there are also many diseases that cause similar symptoms at a younger age.
In this situation, it is important to recognize the cause of the pathology in time, so that the disease does not start, which can have serious consequences without proper treatment.
Common causes of pain
The causes of discomfort in the joints of the fingers can be divided into 3 groups:
- Pain caused by inflammation.They are most pronounced in the morning and after the hands have rested for a long time.Decreases with physical activity.There are symptoms such as reddening of the skin, swelling and stiffness when bending and straightening the fingers.
- Pain associated with disruption of cartilage and bone tissue structure.It is caused by age-related and hormonal changes, professional stress and genetic predisposition.
- Mechanical and post-traumatic pain.It is related to prolonged physical activity and the consequences of injury.
Diseases with such symptoms
Consider the most common inflammatory pathologies.
Rheumatoid arthritis
It can occur at any age and is more commonly diagnosed in women.The disease affects the joints of the middle and index fingers.It is characterized by swelling in the morning, stiffness of joint movements, aching pain that increases during the day and decreases in the evening.The skin in the area of the damaged joints becomes red and swollen.The development of pathology leads to damage to the larger joints of the hand and disruption of the functioning of internal organs.
Rheumatic arthritis is also characterized by symmetry: if the fingers of the left hand are affected, damage also occurs on the right side.Its characteristic sign is the formation of rheumatic nodules, deformation and curvature of the fingers.
Gout
Pathology related to metabolic disorders and the formation of excess uric acid salts.It is formed in people who eat foods with a high purine content (meat, broths, smoked and salty foods, strong black tea and coffee).The pathology begins with damage to the joint of the thumb - pain at night, after carrying heavy objects, stiffness of movement, the formation of a pineal seal over the joint, redness and swelling.
Psoriatic arthritis
It is a consequence of psoriasis and is characterized by an inflammatory process in all finger joints, accompanied by redness, swelling, stiffness of movement and a change in the appearance of the hand (fingers resemble sausages).The pathology is characterized by asymmetric changes: if pain occurs in the area of the little finger and index finger of the right hand, then the left middle and ring finger may be affected.A fájdalom a köröm phalanx területén lokalizálódik, és az ujjbegyek hajlításakor jelentkezik.
Reactive arthritis
With an infectious change in the body and the penetration of foreign microflora into the joints, pathology can occur, which is characterized by acute pain lasting several days, fever, chills and elevated temperature.Symptoms are more pronounced with multiple joint damage - polyarthritis.
Stenotizing ligamentitis
Damage to the annular ligament of the fingers.It develops as a result of diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and excessive physical exertion.It is characterized by painful damage to all joints except the little finger;there is difficulty in bending and extending the fingers, which requires effort.During extension, clicks occur due to a violation of the elasticity of ligaments and tendons.When the pathology worsens, swelling is observed, the skin turns blue and there is a feeling of numbness.Symptoms are most intense at night and in the morning.
Other inflammatory diseases
In addition, the causes of pain include:
- Arthralgia.It develops as a result of inflammation or mechanical damage.The fingers become red, swollen, and difficulties arise even when performing the simplest operations.
- Rheumatism.This is a complication after a sore throat.In addition to joint pain, disorders of the cardiovascular system also occur.
- Bursitis.Accumulation of fluid in the joint capsule, resulting in inflammation and swelling.When you press on the pad of the affected finger, you notice a sharp pain.The skin takes on a dark red hue and the temperature may rise.Pathology most often develops as a result of injury.
Other disorders that cause discomfort in the joints of the fingers can be tenosynovitis, osteomyelitis, de Quervain's disease, panaritium, etc.
Osteoarthritis
It is characterized by painful sensations caused by the destruction of joint cartilage and bone tissue as a result of metabolic disorders, hormonal imbalances, professional stress, consequences of injuries and genetic predisposition.
The disease develops gradually, affecting all fingers.The increase in pain is triggered by physical activity, the hands become numb and ache, and a characteristic squeaking sound is heard when the fingers are moved.External changes affect the shape of the fingers: due to the thickening of the middle part, they resemble spindles;in case of advanced disease, their curling can be observed.This clinical picture is most pronounced in the elderly.
Types of osteoarthrosis are rhizarthrosis (damage and deformation of the thumb joint) and polyosteoarthrosis (impaired functioning of the interphalangeal joints).
Cervical osteochondrosis
In the case of musculoskeletal disorders related to the cervical vertebrae, the nerve endings of the upper limbs are pinched.Pain in the joints of the hand may occur when turning the head, sneezing, or coughing.In its manifestation, it resembles an electric discharge moving along the hands.Patients experience numbness and stiffness when moving the hand.
The appearance of pain in the joints of the hand can be caused by mechanical injuries and injuries, including:
- Bruises, bites, burns, cuts.Damage to the periarticular or connective tissues occurs, during which the blood supply is disturbed or the nerve endings are damaged, causing pain.
- Dislocations.The most common is a dislocation of the thumb.Sharp pain occurs, the area around the protruding joint becomes red and swollen.
- Damage to the ulnar nerve.In advanced neuropathy, numbness of the affected limbs and impairment of motor functions occur.
- Tunnel syndrome.Damage to the joint of the index finger of the right hand during prolonged work at the computer.In case of long-lasting stress, the nerve endings can be pinched.
- Vibration syndrome.It is related to the professional activities of people dealing with vibration technology.The pathology goes through several stages: from pain and numbness to the complete loss of sensitivity of the fingers, which acquire a whitish tint due to insufficient blood supply to the vessels.
Who to contact and how to deal with it
If symptoms of pathology appear, the patient should consult a specialist (surgeon, traumatologist, rheumatologist, neurologist) or therapist to perform diagnostic tests and prescribe appropriate treatment.
Depending on the cause and symptoms of the pathology, the specialist will tell you what to do to eliminate the pain syndrome and restore the lost functions of the damaged organ.The system includes the use of physical and drug therapy, folk remedies, massage and therapeutic exercises.During treatment, it is important to follow a diet that limits the foods that trigger the development of the pathology.During the rehabilitation period, sanatorium-resort treatment is prescribed.
Pain relief methods
At home, in case of injuries and mechanical injuries to the joints, the patient is given first aid to the injured area for 2-3 hours with an ice pack or the affected surface is treated with an anesthetic (a product containing chlorethyl).In case of dislocations and non-displaced fractures of the limbs, it is important to immobilize them before the medical examination.
In case of inflammatory pathologies, antibiotics, hormonal drugs, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and glucocorticosteroids are used.
Chondroprotectors are used in diseases associated with disorders of cartilage and bone tissue.
In the case of minor inflammatory processes, local pain relievers and anti-inflammatory agents are used.
Preventive measures
Joint diseases can be treated if you see a doctor on time and follow the prescribed recommendations.The following will help prevent the development of pathologies: proper nutrition, absence of bad habits and reduction of physical activity of the fingers.A good effect can be achieved by performing a series of therapeutic exercises for the hands, massaging the limbs, relaxing and soothing baths with decoctions of herbs.