Finger Joint Pain: Causes and Treatment

Hand joint pain can be caused by muscle fatigue or it can be a sign of a dangerous systemic disease. Fortunately, the latter is less common. Most commonly, doctors are faced with injuries and problems with the ligamentous apparatus that respond well to local treatment. When hand joints are injured, the causes and treatments vary. For the treatment of hand lesions, it is very important for the patient to seek prompt help, especially if the fingers are deformed: the longer they remain in a forced position, the more difficult it will be to restore their function. In this article, we will discuss possible diagnoses of hand joint pain, what to do about it, and how to treat this condition.

Small joint pain in fingers: causes

Patients who experience numbness, clicking, or pain in their finger joints when bending, extending, or resting may have a variety of diagnoses.

"Fingers snapping, " also known as stenosing deligamentitis or Knowles' disease

One of the most common causes of hand pain. This is a benign pathology in which it is difficult to straighten the finger independently from a bent position. This disorder is common in both women and men and is associated with damage to the annular ligament of the hand. There is a feeling that the fingers are "stuck" in one position. Pain usually occurs in the joint of the middle finger of the right hand as well as the ring finger or thumb. For left-handers, the left hand is more likely to be affected.Risk factors include:

• Excessive fatigue of the wrist flexors. When working at a computer for long periods of time, driving long distances, carrying heavy bags, playing guitar, sustaining repeated blunt force injuries to the hands, or using tools that require a tight grip in the hand (such as construction).
• Metabolic disorders in the body: diabetes, decreased thyroid function - hypothyroidism.
• Smoking – Nicotine can damage small blood vessels and nerves.
• Have had an injury to the palm of your hand or the base of your finger.

hand injury

This includes fractures, fractures, joint dislocations, ligament and muscle ruptures and sprains. A condition called hammertoe is common. This finger is bent and it hurts when you try to straighten it. It differs from "snap of fingers" in the following features:

• The reason for the appearance. "Hammerfinger" is the result of an injury, for example, from a strong blow to the tip of an outstretched finger, such as being hit by a ball while playing basketball.
• Localization of buckling. The mallet finger flexes at the distal interphalangeal joint, which is the small joint of the finger closest to the nail. "Finger snapping" occurs when the proximal interphalangeal joint, the second joint of the finger from the nail, or the metacarpophalangeal joint connects the fingers to the palm itself.
• The mallet finger is often swollen, blue, and deformed, especially if the phalange bone is fractured.

Osteoarthritis

It is a degenerative dystrophic disease of the joints and is a common pathology in patients over 40 years of age, especially in women. The cartilage tissue that forms the joint is destroyed and the amount of fluid inside it decreases. As a result, the joints become "dry" and have reduced mobility. In later stages, the bones that form the joints are also destroyed, and "growths" - osteophytes - may appear on them. The interphalangeal joints of the fingers are usually affected. It is difficult for patients to make their hands into fists or hold heavy objects, which seriously affects daily life.

Rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis

These are autoimmune diseases. The metacarpophalangeal joints and proximal interphalangeal joints are most commonly affected. Because these diseases are systemic, meaning they cause changes throughout the body, the joints in the hands often become painful and swollen. In addition, such patients often experience other symptoms: weakness, fever, and loss of appetite. Severe rheumatoid arthritis may have extra-articular manifestations, involving the heart, lungs, eyes, blood vessels and other organs. Despite its name, psoriatic arthritis can occur without symptoms of the skin disease psoriasis.

Gout and pseudogout

Metabolic disorders, hard crystal deposits in joints. In gout, the purine metabolite uric acid is deposited in crystalline form. Purines are formed in the body and also come from food. Gout crystals can appear not only inside joints, but also under the skin and in tendons. The body mounts a severe inflammatory response to them. The symptoms of pseudogout are similar to those of gout, but are caused by the deposition of a different substance - calcium pyrophosphate. Both diseases can be treated with medication, although the medications are slightly different.

tumors and cysts

This is a very rare pathology; the vast majority of hand tumors are benign. Cysts may appear in bone tissue and joints. They can cause pain and, when they are large, impair the joint's range of motion.

Infectious diseases of fingers

The most common are: felon and its variant - paronychia. This is an infection of the periungual tissue. Other infections include:

• Cellulite - inflammation of the subcutaneous tissue,
• Lymphangitis - inflammation of the lymphatic vessels,
• abscess - a collection of pus,
• Osteomyelitis - inflammation of the bones.

Patients with hand infections often report previous minor trauma. If a person has a weak immune system, the risk of developing these diseases increases.

carpal tunnel syndrome

Caused by compression of the median nerve in the carpal tunnel, which is made up of the carpal bones, ligaments, and tendons. Women are more likely than men to develop this syndrome. Conditions that increase the likelihood of developing this disease: Thyroid disease, pregnancy, obesity, diabetes. Continuous work holding the wrist in an extended position for long periods of time often becomes a trigger. This is especially true for people whose careers involve assembling small parts (such as tailors or surgeons) or who work on computers. Symptoms appear on the fingers innervated by the median nerve: the thumb, index finger, middle finger and half of the ring finger adjacent to them. Often this is not just pain, but numbness, tingling, pins and needles, and sometimes weakness in the hand.

Palmar aponeurosis contracture or palmar fibromatosis

With this disorder, the fingers are unable to fully straighten; they are forced into a semi-flexed position, resulting in impaired hand function. First, dense connective tissue cords form in the palmar tendons, and then they are shortened. More commonly, the disease appears in men over the age of 50, and there is a clear genetic predisposition. As with many other hand conditions, diabetes, smoking, and occupational hazards increase the risk.The list of possible diagnoses for hand joint pain also includes some rarer conditions: vibration disease, vasculitis, and others. Given this diversity, it’s best not to delay contacting an expert.

symptom

Symptoms depend on the disease and what's causing it. The main symptom of problems with the joints and other structures of the hand is pain, but it is also important to evaluate all its characteristics:

1. The onset of pain may be acute or gradual.Diseases caused by degenerative changes and excessive fatigue of the ligamentous apparatus are characterized by a gradual onset, since the development of these processes takes time. Autoimmune diseases can manifest gradually or acutely. Gout and pseudogout worsen suddenly, reaching a peak of symptoms within a few hours. Trauma is also associated with severe pain.
2. Times and factors that cause pain to appear or worsen during the day.With carpal tunnel syndrome, your hands may hurt at night; with osteoarthritis, the pain is worse when you put pressure on the joint; with rheumatoid arthritis, the pain may occur in the first 30 days after getting out of bed or after long periods of inactivity. The pain is most noticeable within minutes.

In addition to pain, patients may notice other related symptoms, including:

• Characteristics of joint flexion and extension: "Flickers" lock the joint in a flexed state but can be carefully moved to an extended position, while "hammer fingers" and contractures prevent full extension. When you have rheumatoid arthritis, you can see thickening and deformation of your finger joints. If there are pathological changes in the ligament, nodules can be felt in its components.
• Joint stiffness and limited movement.
• With gout and autoimmune arthritis, patients may notice that their joints are red and swollen and feel warm to the touch—all symptoms of inflammation.
• If the nerves are damaged, numbness, goosebumps, tingling, and decreased sensitivity to heat, cold, and touch may occur.
• With vasculitis (inflammation of blood vessels), fingers often turn white or blue.
• With many diseases, weakness in the hands may be observed: this indicates damage to the nerves, which can also occur when there is an injury.
• General symptoms, such as weakness, fever, and unexplained problems with other organs, indicate that the disease is systemic. In these cases, it is best to consult a doctor immediately.

diagnosis

Diagnosis begins with consultation with an expert, who will ask the patient in detail about the patient's main complaints and whether there are concomitant diseases and genetic diseases. Afterwards, the doctor must examine the patient and palpate the hands. In some cases, these actions are sufficient to make a diagnosis. But to confirm and clarify this, additional research is needed. possible:

• Hand X-ray in various projections- The most commonly used and most readily available method for assessing the condition of bones and joints. Testing is needed if fractures, foreign bodies, developmental abnormalities, tumors or cysts are suspected, as well as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. X-rays show osteoarthritis as a narrowing of the joint space and the presence of bone growth (osteophytes).
• CT scan(CT). Used to better visualize complex fractures and assess joint condition.
• Ultrasound examination of soft tissues and joints of the hand. Allows you to visually see the condition of ligaments, tendons, nerve trunks and joints.
• MRI. This method provides clear layer-by-layer images of all hand structures. The main indications for use are ligament and tendon injuries.
• Neuroelectromyography. This method is necessary to evaluate the conduction of nerve impulses. It is used if carpal tunnel syndrome is suspected.
• blood test.The most common are:
  1. Metabolic markers - such as glycated hemoglobin and blood sugar in diabetes, as metabolic diseases can affect the condition of nerves, small blood vessels and ligaments.
  2. Tests to diagnose autoimmune diseases: erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, rheumatoid factor, cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies.

Which doctor should I contact?

Structural disorders of the hand, due to their great diversity, often require consultation with several types of specialists. Initially, you should consult a therapist if no actual injury occurred and a traumatologist if an injury occurred.Autoimmune diseases are treated by rheumatologists. Diagnosis and treatment of hand injuries and tumors are performed by orthopedic traumatologists and surgeons. For metabolic disorders, consultation with an endocrinologist is required. If you notice weakness and numbness in your hands, you should consult a neurologist.

How to relieve finger joint pain

Treatment can be surgical or conservative.

1. Surgical treatmentNecessary for hand suppuration as well as complex injuries. Open wounds also require surgical treatment. Any wound is a source of infection, and such patients require antibiotic treatment and debridement. Closed fractures can be treated conservatively. The fracture site is first rigidly fixed: 7-10 days for non-displaced fractures and 3 weeks for displaced fractures. Thereafter, the patient wears special orthotics on the hand until the bone has fully recovered - usually 4-10 weeks, sometimes longer.
2. Conservative treatmentIt is special for autoimmune diseases that affect the joints of the hands - it is based on drugs that suppress the immune response and is prescribed by rheumatologists. For musculoskeletal problems, systemic drug therapy is part of complex treatment. For hand joint pain, NSAIDs may be needed to relieve pain and inflammation. Local influence methods work well:
   • injectionCorticosteroids move into the joints of the hand and into the tendons. They are effective in relieving inflammation, but can have side effects and must be used strictly according to the indications.
   • Soft fixation of handUse orthotics or elastic bandages. The location of fixation depends on the diagnosis.
   • practiseHand muscles, experts will help you choose according to the pathological condition.
   • acupuncture.The method involves inserting a sterile needle into biologically active points, which reduces pain and improves joint mobility.
   • Shock wave therapy.In recent years, it has become increasingly popular in the treatment of ligament problems. Effectively and safely treat "finger snapping" and deformity osteoarthritis, reduce the possibility of recurrence, and improve joint mobility and overall hand function.
   • Intramuscular Theo Taping.This requires special tape to be placed on the hand, which helps stabilize the joint in a comfortable position. This way he recovers faster.
   • Laser Treatment.Reduces pain and aids in cartilage repair, which is extremely important in osteoarthritis.
   • Magnet therapy.Designed to reduce pain, inflammation and swelling.

result

Most patients with hand injuries and degenerative conditions, snapping fingers, and carpal tunnel syndrome are able to regain joint function and return to a normal lifestyle. Early consultation with a doctor, correct wearing of bandages, orthotics (if necessary) and compliance with prescribed recommendations play a leading role in the prognosis of the disease. If the hand joints are left untreated for a long time, they may become deformed and cannot be completely eliminated. As soon as you have questions about the condition of your hands, contact a specialist immediately, who will choose the necessary treatment for you.

prevention

• Address common risk factors.Metabolic disorders, smoking, and hormonal disorders increase the risk of musculoskeletal problems in the hands. Maintaining normal blood sugar is important, especially if you have been diagnosed with diabetes. Gout patients are advised to follow a special diet, and some patients are prescribed anti-gout medications. It can be helpful to check the status of your thyroid gland regularly. Decreased function can negatively impact the immune system and the body as a whole.
• If your risk for joint disease is increased, take care of your hands.For example, if your job requires excessive strain on your hands, try to get into the most comfortable position, don't bend your hands a lot, and give them a rest and a little warm-up. Wear special gloves for exercise and monitor the condition of your skin and nails to prevent infection from penetrating the hand tissues. Get regular preventive check-ups with your doctor.

Following the recommendations listed will help reduce the risk of problems with your hands.