Pain in the finger joints when bending is most often caused by age-related changes, as well as irreversible processes in the body that cause negative manifestations and the development of an uncomfortable condition in the patient. Such pathology requires mandatory medical intervention, which includes all methods based on the causes of painful symptoms in the upper extremities.
Causes of pain
Fingers should be treated if the factors that caused 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, slightly expressed inflammatory process, which "erases" the image of the disease. Very often, patients do not pay attention to these symptoms, unlike inflammatory pain. In this case, there is stiffness of movements in the morning, which can last more than an hour. Pain decreases slightly during physical activity.
We list diseases that can cause 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 are 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 subsides in the evening.
Psoriatic arthritis
This disease mainly affects the skin and the pain appears mainly in the distal phalanges. In psoriatic arthritis, there is severe swelling of the fingers, which become bluish. In addition, with this disease it is quite difficult to straighten the thumbs.
Infectious arthritis
In infectious arthritis, there may be no systemic disorders, 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. Shivering and hyperthermia are sometimes present.
Drop
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 old.
The main reason for the progression of gout is a violation of uric acid metabolism, 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 in middle-aged women and is due to hormonal changes.
A characteristic symptom of the disease, in addition to excruciating pain in the joints of the hand, is the appearance of swelling and subcutaneous nodules, which cause deformation of the fingers and thickening of their middle part.
Stenosing ligamentitis
This disease process can have symptoms similar to osteoarthritis and arthritis. A radiological examination is therefore necessary 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 can get stuck. In addition, the extension of the fingers is accompanied by characteristic clicks.
Rhizarthrosis
If pain appears in the thumb joint, most likely such a condition may indicate rhizarthrosis, which is manifested by 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, turning a door handle, opening a screw cap, etc. ). At the initial stage of development of the disease, the finger of 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 thumb or index finger. This is due to prolonged sitting at a computer, during which the ulnar nerve is compressed, which leads to the development of pain in the fingers.
Pathology symptoms
Serious signs of the presence of diseases that can lead to a number of negative consequences are:
- nodular neoplasms in the tendon zone;
- cracking fingers when moving;
- pain on palpation of the hands;
- sharp, piercing pain and impairment of fine motor skills;
- compaction of the finger folds and hyperemia of the inflamed area;
- inability to squeeze little fingers;
- local and local increase in body temperature;
- increased nighttime pain in the arms;
- Particular 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 measurements and prescribe complex therapy to relieve pain symptoms and the inflammatory process.
Diagnostic methods
Patients who experience pain in their hands, especially after sleep, should undergo treatment, but only after clarifying the reasons for the development of the pathological condition.
In this case, the diagnosis involves the following methods:
X-ray
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 effectiveness of radiography, it has a significant drawback: the inability to assess the condition of soft tissues.
Ultrasound
With the help of ultrasound, the presence of an inflammatory process in the tissues is determined and the consequences of joint damage are identified. This procedure is most effective in cases of synovitis, arthritis, tendinitis, bursitis and osteoarthritis. In cases where the middle finger is numb and painful, an ultrasound of the blood vessels can be performed to determine the disruption 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 lasts 5-7 minutes and is well tolerated by patients. The difference between CT and X-ray is that the information obtained is displayed directly on the monitor screen, which allows you to obtain more reliable information.
Electrospondylography
Electrospondylography, used relatively recently in medicine, is a very effective and universal method of examination. This test helps detect early damage to the area of the spine responsible for the functionality of the upper limbs, including the fingers.
MRI
Magnetic resonance imaging is rightly 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 a picture of the tissue, localization and degree of development of the inflammatory process.
Additionally, blood tests (clinical and biochemical), urine tests for the presence of blood and protein, as well as joint puncture in case of 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 pain treatment.
Treatment
If painful symptoms appear, the main therapeutic measures should be aimed at eliminating the causes of the development of the pathological process.
Complex therapy includes both drug treatment and treatment with folk remedies.
Medical 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.
In case of osteoarthritis, long-term use of chondroprotectors is recommended to nourish the cartilage and prevent its further destruction. These medications help prevent the disease from recurring.
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 fingers is a bacterial infection, the doctor prescribes antibiotics and antibacterial agents, depending on the severity of the symptoms and the body's sensitivity to a group of these drugs.
Important! You should not self-medicate, as this may cause allergic reactions and side effects. At the beginning of treatment, restoration of damaged joints is necessary. And only at 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. This is why it is first of all 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 period of remission, therapeutic exercises, the use of mud, hydrogen sulfide and radon baths, as well as massage, including manual massage, have a positive effect.
Diet
Good 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, mainly through l'food.
Products that can reduce pain in the finger joints 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.
- Cider vinegar, because it promotes the elimination of salts and participates in the blood alkalization process.
- Radish, lettuce and walnuts.
- Egg yolk, juice and pomegranate.
- 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 containing oxalic acid.
Folk remedies
At the initial stage of the disease, pain can be treated with traditional medicine, for example, using a compress of kefir and chalk diluted to a pasty state. Oatmeal, pre-cooked 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 by adding softened butter to this powder. After thoroughly mixing the ingredients, the ointment can be used for its intended purpose.
In case of exacerbation of painful symptoms, it is recommended to mix 1 tbsp. a spoonful of olive oil with 5 drops of garlic juice, then drink the mixture prepared 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 tasks, causing unbearable suffering for the patient. Such manifestations should not be neglected, as they can indicate a number of serious diseases that can cause painful symptoms.
Only early diagnosis and timely intervention of an experienced doctor makes it possible to determine the etiology of the disease, on the basis of which the doctor decides how and with what to treat to achieve the most positive result. With prompt intervention, the prognosis for full recovery is favorable.