Arthrosis of the small joints is a disease that destroys the cartilage layer between the joints.The disease affects the joints of the hands, fingers and feet.Osteoarthritis of small joints is less common than large joints.The disease often develops in old age.
Mechanism of disease development
Arthrosis begins with blood circulation disturbance in the subchondral layer of the periosteum.Due to this, cartilage nutrition deteriorates, loses elasticity, thins and cracks appear.The amount of synovial fluid decreases, inflammation of the joints occurs due to strong friction.
Progressive arthrosis is very dangerous.If the treatment of arthrosis of the hand or foot is not started on time, the joints begin to take unnatural, ugly forms and may lose mobility.
The disease often occurs in women during menopause.The hormonal level in the female body changes and produces less estrogen.Because of this, the body loses a lot of moisture, which makes cartilage and joints more fragile.
species
According to localization, arthrosis is of two types:
- joints of hands and fingers.
- Small joints of the foot, big toe.
Arthrosis of hand and finger joints
Arthrosis of the hands is often found in typists, pianists, programmers and secretaries.The disease affects the interphalangeal joints.In arthrosis of the fingers, the joint tissues dry out and shrivel.Small subcutaneous nodules often appear in the joints of the hands.As a rule, they do not disappear.
As the disease progresses, the bone tissue becomes denser and formations appear on it.They cause severe pain when moving the fingers.In advanced cases, the person loses the ability to move the hand and fingers.
Symptoms of the disease: cramping of the joints when moving the fingers, pain in the fingers after exercise, rings on the joints of the fingers, swelling of the periarticular tissues.
Arthrosis of the foot joints
Ballerinas, dancers, gymnasts, wrestlers and jumpers are susceptible to foot arthrosis.The disease affects the joints of the toes.Bone spurs appear on the small joint of the leg.Because of them, it is painful to move a person's leg.As the disease progresses, the deformation of the joints is very noticeable and the person is practically unable to move the leg.
Big toe osteoarthritis is the most common type of foot arthrosis.When the disease occurs, "bone" is formed in the area of the thumb joint.Osteoarthritis of the big toe occurs due to wearing tight shoes.
Symptoms of arthrosis of the foot: pain in the foot after physical activity, joint cramping during movement, joint size increase.When walking, a person limps and rests on the outer edge of the foot.
Causes
Arthrosis can be primary or secondary.
Primary arthrosis occurs due to joint cartilage tissue problems, namely:
- Genetic disorders in the cartilage tissue of the joints;
- hypermobility of joints;
- Dysplasia, flat feet, wide feet.
Secondary arthrosis is the result of joint damage and other diseases.Among its reasons:
- injuries, microtraumatization of joints;
- acute and chronic arthritis, synovitis;
- metabolic disorders, lack of calcium, phosphorus and other minerals;
- gout, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis;
- Diabetes and other diseases of the endocrine system.
risk factors
Risk factors for the disease include:
- hereditary predisposition;
- heavy physical work, heavy load on finger joints;
- overweight, excessive alcohol consumption;
- wearing uncomfortable tight high-heeled shoes for a long time;
- lifeless lifestyle;
- Hypothermia of the legs.
If your work often puts stress on the joints of fingers and toes, or you have loved ones who suffer from arthrosis of fine joints, you should think about prevention.We will talk about this at the end of the article.
symptoms
Among the signs of arthrosis of the small joints of the feet, fingers and hands:
- pain in the hands and feet, they either subside or reappear;
- Movement of fingers or toes causes pain;
- Swelling of joints, bending and straightening with "cramp";
- The tissues surrounding the joint are inflamed;
- the shape of the joints changes - they thicken, Heberden's and Bouchard's nodes appear;
- The sensitivity of the fingertips decreases.
Stages of arthrosis of small joints
There are three stages of the disease.
- The first stage of the disease is accompanied by periodic pain in the joints of the fingers or toes during active movement or work.The pain disappears after rest.Joints may begin to crack and swelling may develop near them.
- The second stage of arthrosis.The disease progresses, the pain becomes stronger and permanent.Finger movement causes pain.Heberden's and Bouchard's nodes are formed in the joints.Their appearance is accompanied by burning and pain.After a few months, the redness and swelling will disappear and the nodules will harden.
- The third stage of arthrosis of fine joints is the most serious.Fingers and toes are deformed and movement is almost impossible.The areas of the affected joint become red and swollen.Sharp joint pain is felt not only during movement, but also at rest.A person walks with difficulty, going up and down the stairs becomes a challenge for him.
diagnosis
If you notice the symptoms of arthrosis of small joints, do not delay the visit to the orthopedist.The disease is curable at an early stage.In the second and third stages, you can only slow down its development.
A comprehensive examination will be required to diagnose arthrosis of small joints.With its help, the doctor will determine the cause of the disease and prescribe an effective treatment.The first appointment is made by neurologists and orthopedists.They accurately diagnose arthrosis of the joints of the hands and feet using the following methods:
- MRI.Magnetic resonance imaging
- Ultrasound examination (ultrasound)
- Densitometry
- Electrocardiography (ECG)
- Daily ECG monitoring
- Comprehensive medical examination of the body (examination)
- Bioimpedance analysis of the body within the "smart weight loss" program
- Laboratory research
How to treat arthrosis of small joints
An integrated approach is the best way to fight the disease.Our doctors treat arthrosis of fine joints with non-surgical methods.They stop the development of the disease and heal the body as a whole.
The primary doctor prescribes an individual course of treatment for the patient, taking into account the cause of arthrosis, condition, age, gender and body characteristics of the patient.Treatment of arthrosis of fine joints of feet, hands and fingers will take a maximum of one and a half months.Procedures are performed 2-3 times a week to the patient.Joint pain will disappear after the first week of treatment.The course of treatment consists of the following procedures:
- Percussion-vibration therapy on the device
- High intensity magnetotherapy
- Isometric kinesotherapy using the Pilates method
- Resonance wave UHF therapy
- Fermatron injections
Treatment of arthrosis of fine joints in clinics relieves pain and inflammation in the joints.The patient's blood circulation and cartilage nutrition are improved, the destruction of cartilage tissue and joints is stopped.Our doctor will give you advice on what you can do on your own to prevent the disease.
Prevention
Doctors at the Health Seminar recommend preventing joint problems:
- more walking, running, swimming, water aerobics, skiing;
- Don't get cold;
- control your weight;
- prevent joint damage;
- Walk in comfortable shoes.
Regarding nutrition, we recommend following the following principles:
- Eat more avocado, grapefruit, kiwi;
- limit the consumption of tomatoes and legumes;
- Include cartilage, gelatin, garlic in the diet;
- eat less fatty and fried meat, sugar, chocolate, coffee, cookies;
- give up smoking and alcohol;
- Drink at least two liters of water a day.
therapeutic massage
To prevent arthrosis of hands and fingers, do the following exercises:
- Rub your palms together.
- Rub the fingers of one hand with the fingers of the other first from the base towards the nail and in the opposite direction.
- Bend and straighten your fingers 10 times without making a fist.
- Press your palms tightly and press the fingers of one hand over the fingers of the other hand.
- Separate your hands and continue to press your fingers together.