Finger arthritis
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Finger arthritis is one of the diseases that affect a large percentage of people, especially the elderly, and causes pain in the joints that may move the fingers not as usual, and in order to know more details about finger joint infections, we will explain everything you want to know about in this article … so follow us
Finger arthritis
Finger arthritis is one of the reactions that the body makes to determine the immune system in order to fight any injury in the body. Arthritis comes from an increase in fluid levels around the joint as a result of an increased supply of blood and nutrients to defend the body against infection, so the affected area increases in size and swells, causing pain and sores in that part.
Finger arthritis is a common disease that often affects the elderly, and there is more than one type of it, and we will get to know them in the following:
Rheumatoid arthritis
It is one of the types of chronic infections that affect the body, and it is originally an immune disease because the body unintentionally attacks its cells, and rheumatoid inflammation affects more than one part of the body, including the joints, which causes destruction, erosion and wear in the affected part.
Rheumatoid arthritis may affect the joints, causing severe inflammation in them, which results in the patient feeling strong pain in this part of the body and may hinder joint movement at times and cause bone deformities and erosion.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis, or as it is called osteoarthritis, is one of the most common infections that affect a large number of people annually, osteoarthritis is the result of atrophy and erosion in the protective cartilage, which resembles the hard rubbery tissue at the ends of the bones of the body.
Degenerative arthritis causes pain in the joints as a result of bone exposure and friction in painful friction, this damage or atrophy affects more than one part of the body, but usually, erosion occurs in the joints of the hand, knee, hip, and spine.
Gout
Gout is one of the inflammations that affect the joints. It occurs as a result of an increase in uric crystals in the blood, and its percentage is higher around the joints, which causes swelling and pain that resembles needle poking. Gout usually affects the big toe, but in more severe cases, inflammation may occur in the other fingers as well.
Here are the symptoms of finger arthritis
It is possible for a person to feel some symptoms that suddenly appear on his fingers and feel some pain in the joints, it is important to refer to the specialist doctor for examination and treatment with the continuation of the pain, and in order to be more aware of the symptoms of arthritis, we offer you some signs that guide you to quickly consult your orthopedist, including:
- A person experiences pain in the joints of the fingers after exerting more effort than usual.
- Swelling begins to appear in the area of the finger joints, and a slight redness is seen in the surrounding area.
- The sensation of warmth in the joints of the fingers, followed by difficulty in moving them as a result of the stiffness that afflicted them.
- The appearance of some deformities in the finger as a result of the erosion of part of the protective cartilage tissue located at the ends of the bones.
Common causes of finger arthritis
There are more than one cause approved by doctors in the incidence of arthritis of the fingers, and according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the causes that may lead to finger arthritis are:
- Repeated injuries resulting from strenuous activities may put a person at risk for arthritis and damage to the tissues that separate the ends of the bones.
- Certain infections can cause finger joint inflammation and damage.
- Age plays an important role in developing arthritis, especially the joints of the fingers, as a result of the natural erosion of the cartilage that connects the ends of the bones.
- Smoking is a risk factor for developing arthritis, especially rheumatoid arthritis.
- Some statistics mention that more women than men suffer from arthritis.
Finger arthritis is a disease that affects different ages, but most of the time the elderly are exposed to it more, and therefore it is important for families with elderly people to notice that there are many symptoms of arthritis, and starting treatment early can help the patient get a speedy recovery.
What is the cause of pain in the joints of the fingers of the hand?
There are many reasons for pain in the joints of the fingers of the hand, some of which are related to diseases and others due to age. In this period, we present an overview of the causes of pain in the joints of the toes, which are as follows:
- Hand injuries: An injury in the hand can affect the joints and the pain felt by the person in that part of the body, hand joint pain may result from a bruise or wound to the fingers, as well as a fracture or damage to the muscles, and this occurs due to violent sports or the use of heavy tools.
- Infection with a specific disease: When a disease or infection affects the joints of the hand, it results in an increase in fluid around the joint, and thus pressure and swelling may occur in the area, which in turn affects joints and affects the fingers with severe pain, and the inflammation usually affects the thumb or the joint of the middle of the finger or the part near the nails.
It is important to know the diseases that may affect the joints of the fingers and cause pain in them, including:
- Osteoporosis.
- Atrophy of the protective cartilage tissue of the finger joints.
- multiple sclerosis.
- Rheumatoid arthritis.
- Systemic scleroderma.
- The presence of inflammation and swelling in the joints as a result of infection.
- Raynaud’s Syndrome.
- carpal tunnel syndrome
A person who feels pain in the joints of the hand for a long time and the pain increases over time despite resorting to rest and the onset of swelling and difficulty in using the fingers of the hand should consult a doctor immediately so that the symptoms do not worsen and the treatment is effective and its effect is felt faster.
Diagnosis of finger arthritis
The person’s attention to the symptoms that afflict him enables him to refer to the doctor faster, and thus the treatment will be more effective. If you notice redness around the fingers, swelling in the joints, and difficulty in moving the fingers normally, you should refer to the orthopedic consultant.
In the case of arthritis, the doctor requests a number of blood tests and X-ray examinations in order to verify the type of inflammation and determine the stage of cartilage erosion, and then determine with you the appropriate type of treatment according to the current condition.
What are the symptoms of finger inflammation?
Finger arthritis is one of the common diseases that cause the patient to suffer from pain and sometimes find it difficult to move the fingers normally, the person needs to pay attention to the symptoms of arthritis because early treatment for it may be an important factor in a faster recovery. Doctors explained that the symptoms of finger arthritis are as follows:
- Symptoms of inflammation start from a feeling of mild pain in the fingers, followed by what looks like burning in the affected area, and the pain intensifies with time.
- A person with arthritis of the fingers may find that the joint becomes warmer and hotter, and the area around it becomes red.
- The affected person may find that the joints of the fingers have significant swelling and severe pain with activities that require the use of the fingers.
- Joint stiffness and movement become more difficult, especially in the morning.
- The presence of a deformity and a change in the shape of the fingers as a result of atrophy and erosion of the cartilage separating the bones of the finger, and it may lead to a defect in the tissue that stabilizes the joint.
- In the advanced stages of arthritis, what looks like a grinding or a creaking sound may occur from the joints as a result of direct friction between the bones after the cartilage separating them has eroded.
- Sometimes bony bumps form in the area affected by arthritis.
What is the treatment for finger arthritis?
There are many questions about the disease of arthritis of the fingers, whether about what the disease is or its causes or symptoms that appear on patients and others, but the increasing question about methods of treating arthritis and the extent of its effects on patients and are there non-therapeutic drugs that can be followed to relieve joint pain when it is inflamed?
In cases of finger arthritis, doctors resort to x-rays and blood tests that determine the type of inflammation and at what stage of the disease is the patient in order to accurately diagnose and determine the most appropriate treatment for the case, here are the treatments used in cases of arthritis of the fingers.
Treatment in the case of finger arthritis is divided into two types, which are treatments that you can do at home and help you reduce pain, and the other type is drugs that work to reduce swelling that accompanies inflammation that affects the joints of the fingers.
Treatment without drugs
The patient can keep some instructions that help him reduce the pain he feels from arthritis in the fingers, which are:
- Getting more rest, especially after exerting a lot of effort, increases the feeling of pain.
- It is good to exercise regularly because it helps in more flexibility in the rubbery tissue that connects the ends of the bones.
- An arthritis sufferer can use a splint to relieve pressure on this part and help relieve pain.
- There are some foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as fish, especially salmon, and flax oil. Eating them regularly contributes to relieving joint pain associated with inflammation.
- Doctors sometimes restore physical therapy, which helps provide the joints with greater flexibility to bear the pressure on the joints from swelling.
Pharmacological treatments
According to the diagnosis of the case made by the orthopedic consultant in order to accurately identify the stage of the disease and the extent to which the degree of inflammation has affected the joints and cartilage between the ends of the bones are affected by inflammation has reached the appropriate drug for the patient and follows up with him the developments of treatment continuously. Here is the drug treatment used in cases of arthritis:
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), either topical or oral pills, can be used to reduce swelling in the joint.
- In some cases that do not respond to non-steroidal treatment, the doctor recommends injections of corticosteroids, which have the same effect in reducing swelling and thus reducing pain.
- Some types of arthritis in the fingers are due to immunological causes, so doctors recommend the use of disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs).
Does hot water treat arthritis?
A group of orthopedic doctors explained that the treatment of arthritis with water “Hydrotherapy” has proven effective in relieving pain and reducing symptoms associated with the disease, and most of them advised the use of this type of natural treatment in conjunction with the use of medicines in order for the patient to find greater effectiveness for them.
A patient with arthritis can resort to a sport such as swimming in order to practice water therapy because it helps him recover from the disease, the patient can use devices designated for walking or running, which are inside swimming pools and are supervised by physiotherapists.
There is more than one benefit provided by hot water therapy to the patient, including the following:
- Reducing pain: Water joint therapy works to relax muscles and regular blood circulation contributes to relieving pain.
- Ease of practice: Doing sports such as walking or using bicycles is somewhat difficult for arthritis patients, but practicing these activities underwater makes them easier and more effective in treating inflammation.
- Reducing injury: A patient with arthritis may be more susceptible to injuries resulting from exercise, but being underwater reduces the chances of this happening.
- Strengthening muscles: Swimming or exercising underwater helps to increase the stamina of the body, which increases muscle strength and fitness.
Can arthritis be cured?
One of the questions that come to mind with arthritis patients is, is there a possibility of curing arthritis? Unfortunately, arthritis is one of the “chronic” diseases, especially in the late stages of the disease. However, treatments work greatly to reduce the symptoms of the disease.
Arthritis occurs due to erosion or damage to the tissues at the ends of the bones, so it is difficult to fully recover from the disease except in certain cases, including:
- Some types of septic arthritis.
- Juvenile idiopathic arthritis.
