Arthrosis of the joints of fingers and toes
Arthrosis of the joints of the fingers and toes is a joint lesion that is inflammatory or degenerative. If the distal interphalangeal joints most often suffer on the hands (although all joints without exception can be affected in a severe form of the disease), then on the leg the big toe is usually included in the pathological process (but sometimes the rest of the joints can also suffer).
This disease affects everyone: both men and women.
But more often the fairer sex still suffers. This is due to changes in a woman's body during menopause, when, against the background of a general hormonal imbalance, the normal blood supply and nutrition to the joints is disrupted. But if at the age of about 45 years and up to 60 - the group of patients with arthrosis consists mainly of women, then after 60 the number of men suffering from such a disease increases significantly. What is associated with natural age-related changes in the joints.
Content:
- Causes of arthrosis of the joints of the fingers and hands
- Symptoms of arthrosis of fingers and toes
- Stages of arthrosis of the joints of the fingers and toes
- Treatment of arthrosis of the joints of fingers and toes
Causes of arthrosis of the joints of the fingers and hands
There are the following reasons leading to the development of the disease, both on the hands and on the toes:
- Age over 60.
- Menopause in women.
- Immune system disorders. Occurring against this background, frequent ARVI.
- Previous trauma, such as fractures, dislocations, bruises.
- Genetic developmental abnormalities associated with disruption of the normal formation of joints.
- Working conditions that significantly increase the load on the joints of the arms and legs.
- Wearing the wrong shoes: high heels, out of season, too narrow toes, etc.
- Radiation.
- Diseases such as rheumatism, gout, diabetes mellitus, tuberculosis, rheumatoid arthritis.
- Aggressive environmental factors: living conditions in constant cold, increased vibration, etc. Unfavorable living conditions in general.
- Allergy.
- Anatomical features of the foot, in particular, protruding bones.
- Flat feet.
- Hereditary factors.
- Large body weight.
- Metabolic disorders in the body.
Symptoms of arthrosis of fingers and toes
You can suspect a patient has arthrosis of the toes or hands by the following symptoms:
- Soreness in the area of the damaged joint. Increased pain occurs when the hand or foot is exposed to stress. It acquires an aching character during a night's rest.
- When moving the fingers, especially with intense flexion, a characteristic crunch is heard in the area of the damaged joint.
- The appearance of seals, or nodules, they will be visible, even if you consider the hands from the side of the palms, and the legs from the side of the foot.
- Puffiness and constant muscle tension in the problem area.
- The mobility of the bone of the foot is often impaired.
- Violation of the normal position of the big toe.
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Stages of arthrosis of the joints of the fingers and toes
The disease has three stages of development, in general, they are characterized by the same signs of damage, both for the joints of the fingers and toes, with a slight difference:
- The first stage is characterized by mild pains that arise spontaneously, but they are of such intensity that a person does not pay attention to them. Although already at this stage there is a feeling of stiffness in the hand or foot.
- The next stage is characterized by an increase in painful sensations, which become regular, torment a person, both during the day and at night. The periarticular area is often edematous, the skin may turn red at times of exacerbation, and an increase in temperature is observed. A crunch is heard when moving. The muscles of the finger and sometimes the foot and hand can begin to atrophy. It is at this time that patients most often seek help from a doctor.
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If the disease is not treated, then in the future the pain will become more intense, it will haunt the person constantly, regardless of the time of day or physical activity. The fingers and toes are deformed and their length may change. As the cartilage breaks down, Heberden's and Bouchard's nodules will form. Mobility is severely limited. Secondary deformation is observed on the legs, that is, if at first only one finger was involved in the process, then the rest are subsequently deformed.
Treatment of arthrosis of the joints of fingers and toes
Treatment of this pathology is reduced to the following measures:
- Taking medications. To begin with, the doctor will prescribe anti-inflammatory nonsteroidal drugs to the patient. They are designed to have a depressing effect on the pathological processes occurring in the cartilage tissue. These drugs include: nimesulide, diclofenac, ortofen, and other drugs. Preparations from the group of chondroprotectors are designed to help the affected cartilage recover, it can be chondroxide, glucosamine and other agents.
- Physiotherapy treatments play an important role in the prevention and treatment of any arthrosis, including those of the fingers and toes. Shown are electropharesis, laser therapy, ozonokerite baths, paraffin wraps. In combination with drug treatment, such procedures will help the cartilage recover faster, the pain will recede, and the metabolism will accelerate.
- You cannot do without a therapeutic set of exercises, which will be selected by the doctor individually, taking into account the stage of development of the disease. Useful rotation with the feet and hands with varying degrees of intensity, rolling objects with feet, fingering the rosary with your fingers, etc.
- A gentle massage aimed at improving the blood supply to damaged cartilage and relieving muscle spasm.
- Surgical intervention, which consists in removing the damaged joint and all growths, and then replacing it with an artificial prosthesis.
- Do not forget also about folk remedies. A variety of compresses and wraps can be used only in the absence of allergies and after consulting a doctor. Wraps based on wax or honey, taking warm baths with decoctions of herbs will be useful.
- Compliance with a diet with the mandatory inclusion of alkaline foods: whey, sauerkraut, wild berries. Bone broth, dairy products, and rye bread will be useful.
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The combination of all possible methods of treatment and prevention of the disease, it is possible to ensure that arthrosis of the fingers and toes will cease to bother the patient, and the pathological processes will significantly slow down.
Author of the article: Kaplan Alexander Sergeevich | Orthopedist
Education: diploma in the specialty "General Medicine" received in 2009 at the Medical Academy. I. M. Sechenov. In 2012 completed postgraduate studies in Traumatology and Orthopedics at the City Clinical Hospital named after Botkin at the Department of Traumatology, Orthopedics and Disaster Surgery.
