Pain in the joints of the fingers when bending is most often caused by age-related changes, as well as irreversible processes in the body that provoke negative manifestations and the development of an uncomfortable state in the patient. Such a pathology requires mandatory medical intervention, which includes all methods based on the causes of pain symptoms in the upper extremities.
Causes of pain
Fingers should be treated if the factors that provoked such a problem are identified. As a rule, doctors divide pain in the joints of the hand into 2 groups (mechanical and inflammatory).
Mechanical pain is accompanied by a local inflammatory process, which is slightly expressed, which "erases" the picture of the disease. Quite often, patients do not pay attention to such symptoms, in contrast to inflammatory pain. In this case, there is stiffness of movement in the morning, which can last more than 1 hour. Pain decreases slightly during physical activity.
We list the diseases that can provoke such symptoms.
Rheumatoid arthritis
With the development of rheumatoid arthritis, small joints are affected, but it is quite possible that internal organs and large joints may be involved in the pathological process. Rheumatoid pain is accompanied by swelling and redness of the metacarpal phalanx of the middle and index fingers.
With this disease, the fingers are very painful when bent, and a similar symptom is observed on the second hand. A characteristic symptom of rheumatoid arthritis is pain that occurs immediately after waking up, while the pain decreases in the evening.
Psoriatic arthritis
This disease primarily affects the skin, and pain appears mainly in the distal phalanges. With psoriatic arthritis, there is severe swelling of the fingers, which become bluish in color. In addition, with this disease it is quite difficult to straighten the thumbs.
Infectious arthritis
With infectious arthritis, there may be no systemic disorders at all, but it is characterized by the appearance of an acute attack of pain when bending a finger, which can last from 2-3 hours to 2-3 days. Chills and hyperthermia are sometimes present.
Gout
This disease is the most common, but in most cases, patients completely unexpectedly find out the true reason why the joints of the fingers hurt when bending, after clarifying the diagnosis. Most often the disease occurs in people over 50 years of age.
The main reason for the progression of gout is a violation of the metabolism of uric acid, which is quite difficult to remove from the body, depositing in cartilage and joints, creating a serious obstacle to their normal functioning. Characteristic signs of gout include burning, intense pain.
Osteoarthritis
Among the most common reasons for the development of osteoarthritis are hereditary factors, as well as disorders of metabolic processes in the body, activities associated with increased physical activity, etc. In most cases, osteoarthritis occurs among mature women, which is due to hormonal changes.
A characteristic symptom of the disease, in addition to excruciating pain in the joints of the hand, is the occurrence of swelling and subcutaneous nodules, which provoke deformation of the fingers and thickening of their middle part.
Stenosing ligamentitis
This pathological process may be similar in symptoms to arthrosis and arthritis, so X-ray examination is required to clarify the diagnosis. Clinical manifestations are quite typical: it is painful for the patient to straighten and bend the hands, and in some cases the clenched palm may become jammed. In addition, the extension of the fingers is accompanied by characteristic clicks.
Rhizarthrosis
If pain appears in the joint of the thumb, then, most likely, such a condition may indicate rhizarthrosis, which manifests itself as intoxication, previous infections and various types of injuries.
During the initial examination of the patient, the localization of pain is determined, which intensifies under specific loads (turning a key, rotating a door handle, opening a screw cap, etc. ). In the initial stage of development of the disease, the finger on the hand hurts when bending only after physical exertion, but the progression of rhizarthrosis leads to the fact that the pain begins to bother the patient even at rest. Gradually, deformation of the joint occurs with limitation of motor activity.
In addition to all of the above diseases, the development of carpal tunnel syndrome, which is most often diagnosed in young patients, can lead to unpleasant sensations in the area of the thumb or index finger. This is due to prolonged sitting at computers, during which the ulnar nerve is compressed, which in turn leads to the development of pain in the fingers.
Symptoms of pathology
Serious signs of the presence of diseases that can lead to a number of negative consequences are:
- nodular neoplasms in the tendon area;
- creaking of fingers when moving;
- pain on palpation of the hands;
- sharp, piercing pain and impaired fine motor skills;
- compaction in the bends of the fingers and hyperemia of the inflamed area;
- inability to squeeze the little fingers;
- local and local increase in body temperature;
- increased night pain in the arms;
- special attention should be paid if the finger suddenly becomes swollen and deformed.
If the patient discovers such manifestations, an urgent consultation with a doctor is necessary, who will carry out diagnostic measures and prescribe complex therapy to relieve pain symptoms and the inflammatory process.
Diagnostic methods
Patients who experience pain in the hands, especially after sleep, must undergo a course of therapy, but only after clarifying the reasons for the development of the pathological condition.
In this case, diagnostics involves the following methods:
Radiography
The most informative way to determine tumor-like neoplasms, various injuries and inflammatory processes in the joints of the fingers and hands is an X-ray examination.
Despite the high efficiency of radiography, it has a significant drawback - the inability to assess the condition of soft tissues
Ultrasonography
Using ultrasound, the presence of an inflammatory process in tissues is determined, and the consequences of joint injury are identified. This procedure is most effective for synovitis, arthritis, tendonitis, bursitis and arthrosis. In cases where the middle finger is numb and painful, it is possible to perform an ultrasound examination of the blood vessels to determine the disturbance of blood flow in the upper extremities.
CT scan
To obtain a more accurate picture of the pathology of bone tissue and joints, it is recommended to perform a CT scan, which takes 5-7 minutes and is well tolerated by patients. The difference between computed tomography and radiography is that the obtained information is displayed directly on the monitor screen, which allows you to obtain more reliable information.
Electrospondylography
A highly effective and universal method of examination is electrospondylography, which has been used in medicine relatively recently. This test can detect early damage to the area of the spine responsible for the functionality of the upper extremities, including the fingers.
MRI
Magnetic resonance imaging is rightfully considered an informative and accurate study, therefore it is often used in the diagnosis of various diseases, including joints. The pathological process is determined using electromagnetic waves, which form an image of tissue, the localization and degree of development of the inflammatory process.
In addition, blood tests (clinical and biochemical), urine tests for the presence of blood and protein, as well as joint puncture for persistent pain in the fingers are prescribed.
Important! It is necessary to take into account that fingers can hurt for various reasons, however, only a highly qualified specialist should correctly diagnose the disease and prescribe individual treatment for pain.
Treatment
If pain symptoms occur, the main therapeutic measures should be aimed at eliminating the causes of the development of the pathological process.
Complex therapy includes both drug therapy and treatment with folk remedies.
Drug treatment
To relieve the pathological process, the doctor prescribes the patient a course of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which, in addition to reducing inflammation, relieve pain symptoms and reduce tissue swelling.
For osteoarthritis, long-term use of chondroprotectors is recommended to nourish cartilage and prevent its further destruction. These drugs help prevent recurrence of the disease.
In cases where there is unbearable pain in the fingers and the inflammatory process is in an advanced stage, glucocorticosteroids are prescribed. They quickly relieve symptoms of inflammation and regulate metabolic processes in the body, thereby accelerating tissue regeneration.
If the main cause of painful symptoms in the area of the fingers is a bacterial infection, the doctor prescribes antibiotics and antibacterial agents, based on the severity of the symptoms and the body’s sensitivity to a group of such drugs.
Important! You should not self-medicate, as this may cause allergic reactions and side effects. At the beginning of therapy, restoration of damaged joints is required. And only in the calm stage is it recommended to resort to auxiliary methods (physiotherapy, hand massage, gymnastics, etc. ).
Physiotherapy
Pain in the joints of the hands indicates a violation of the functionality of the body as a whole and, in particular, the development of degenerative-dystrophic processes. That is why, first of all, it is necessary to limit physical activity and reduce physical stress on the joint.
Physiotherapeutic measures include resonance therapy, electrosleep and electrophoresis with the addition of novocaine. In addition, during the remission period, therapeutic exercises, the use of mud, hydrogen sulfide, and radon baths, as well as massage, including manual massage, have a positive effect.
Diet
Proper nutrition is of no small importance in preventing the occurrence of pain, since the body must receive a sufficient amount of microelements such as potassium, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, iron and vitamins, primarily through food.
Products that can reduce pain in the joints of the fingers when bending:
- Fish oil and flaxseed oil. These products contain large amounts of omega-3 fatty acids, which improve the condition of the vascular system and participate in the normalization of fat metabolism.
- Apple cider vinegar, as it enhances the removal of salts and participates in the process of alkalization of the blood.
- Radishes, lettuce and nuts.
- Egg yolk, juice and pomegranate fruit.
- Blackcurrant and fig.
- Ginger and cauliflower.
- Low-calorie cheeses and olive oil.
It is necessary to limit (and in some cases completely exclude from the diet) high-fat dairy products, sweet and high-calorie foods. Smoked meats, alcoholic drinks, coffee, strong tea, as well as products that contain oxalic acid.
Folk remedies
At the initial stage of the disease, pain can be dealt with using traditional medicine, for example, using a compress of kefir and chalk, diluted to a pasty state. Oatmeal, pre-boiled and slightly cooled, has a similar effect.
You can prepare a cream for massaging your hands from an equal amount of crushed bay leaves and juniper pine with the addition of softened butter to this powder. After thoroughly mixing the ingredients, the ointment can be used for its intended purpose.
In case of exacerbation of pain symptoms, it is recommended to mix 1 tbsp. a spoonful of olive oil with 5 drops of garlic juice, then drink the prepared mixture in the morning, 30 minutes before breakfast. The procedure should be repeated for 3-4 days.
Sudden, severe pain in the finger interferes with the performance of daily duties, causing unbearable suffering to the patient. Such manifestations should not be neglected, as they may indicate a number of serious diseases that can provoke pain symptoms.
Only early diagnosis and timely intervention by an experienced doctor make it possible to determine the etiology of the disease, on the basis of which the doctor decides how and with what to treat to obtain the most positive result. With timely intervention, the prognosis for full recovery is favorable.