Rheumatoid arthritis is a severe joint disease of an autoimmune nature. This disease affects women 5 times more often than men. About 1-2% of the total population suffers from rheumatoid arthritis - mostly people over 30 years of age.
With rheumatoid arthritis, small joints are most often affected (they usually develop symmetrical bilateral damage). These may be the joints of the feet, hands, intervertebral joints of the neck, knee or wrist joints. The disease provokes their persistent deformation and dysfunction; as the disease progresses, partial destruction of the articular cartilage occurs.
The cause of rheumatoid arthritis still remains unclear. It is believed that the impetus for joint inflammation is a malfunction in the human immune system. Factors that increase the likelihood of developing arthritis include:
Rheumatoid arthritis of the hands, knees, and feet develops unnoticed for a long time.
A person can still feel well and lead a normal lifestyle, while antibodies accumulate in the body, attacking the joints and causing inflammatory reactions.
The following symptoms are typical for rheumatoid arthritis of the joints:
If you notice these symptoms, you should consult a general practitioner or rheumatologist as soon as possible. Many patients attribute these symptoms to age-related changes or self-medicate, only to consult a doctor in cases where stiffness and pain in the joints prevent them from moving their limbs normally.
Fingers with rheumatoid arthritis of the hands may acquire a spindle-shaped shape. In advanced stages of rheumatoid arthritis of the hands, a person is unable to fasten buttons or hold a glass of water in his hands.
Late stages of rheumatoid arthritis are characterized by damage to peripheral nerves, lungs, kidneys, heart and other internal organs. Therefore, in addition to consultations with a rheumatologist, it may be necessary to undergo examination by a cardiologist, gastroenterologist, pulmonologist, etc.
First, the doctor asks the patient in detail about his complaints and performs an examination. If rheumatoid arthritis is suspected, a biochemical blood test (to identify signs of inflammation), determination of the level of rheumatoid factor in the blood, and radiography of the joints that are bothering the patient are prescribed. Athroscopy and magnetic resonance imaging of the joints are also performed.
It is impossible to completely recover from this disease. Modern medications and treatment methods relieve symptoms of the disease, minimize complications and inhibit the progression of the disease, but cannot completely cure it.
Some medications will have to be taken for a long period of time. And since some medications have side effects, treatment must be carried out under the supervision of a doctor (often throughout life).
Treatment for rheumatoid arthritis is aimed at pain relief and inflammation, as well as improving impaired joint function or preserving those functions that remain (with long-term rheumatoid arthritis). In addition, immunosuppressants and cytotoxic drugs are used. Chondroprotectors will help stop the degeneration of cartilage and joints.
If rheumatoid arthritis of an infectious nature is detected, a course of appropriate antibiotics and corticosteroids is prescribed. In severe cases of the disease, sleep disturbance and irritability may appear. To improve the patient's mental state, sedatives are prescribed. In order for a person to have the opportunity to sleep, sleeping pills are used.
To effectively treat rheumatoid arthritis, it is necessary to combine drug therapy with physical therapy and a healthy lifestyle. To strengthen the entire body and restore proper metabolism, vitamins are used: the most effective of them are thiamine and vitamins B, E and D, as well as brewer's yeast, antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids. These vitamins can not only be purchased at the pharmacy, but also obtained from sunflower seeds, walnuts, liver, salmon meat, cod liver, fresh fruits and vegetables.
Surgical treatment methods are used when it is necessary to correct pronounced joint deformities or if conservative treatment does not have a positive effect. During surgery, the affected joint tissue can be removed or even joint replacement can be performed.
Treatment for arthritis of the fingers can be successful if it is started in a timely manner and carried out comprehensively. In addition to tablets and injections, pain-relieving ointments, anti-inflammatory creams, rubs and tinctures are used.
Rheumatoid arthritis of the hands in the remission stage is treated with physiotherapeutic methods, which are selected individually in each case. Electrophoresis is used, with the help of which antibiotics and other drugs are administered through the skin in the area of the affected joints. Also, for arthritis, low-frequency pulsed currents, hydrotherapy, and mud applications are used.
When detecting rheumatoid arthritis of the hands, knees, feet, etc. You should not self-medicate. It is necessary to strictly follow all the recommendations of the rheumatologist. Before using folk remedies for the treatment of arthritis, such as compresses, herbal decoctions, etc. Be sure to consult with your doctor and use them only in combination with the main therapy.
Provide yourself with proper rest. Do not lift heavy objects, do not make sudden movements, do not run or jump. Do physical therapy and stretching daily.
In order to reduce the likelihood of developing rheumatoid arthritis, engage in some kind of sport and strengthen your body. Monitor your body weight, reduce sugar and salt intake to a minimum, and stop drinking alcohol and smoking tobacco.
Avoid hypothermia and joint injuries. Do not suffer from a cold on your feet, cure infectious diseases in a timely manner.
Arthritis is a collective name for inflammatory joint diseases. Most often it affects small joints. According to statistics, up to 15% of the population suffers from hand arthritis today. As the disease develops, the cartilage covering the joint becomes thinner, the ligaments undergo pathological changes, and as a result the joint becomes deformed and loses the ability to make the necessary movements. Almost every one of us has encountered elderly people with crooked fingers disfigured by disease. This is arthritis that affects the hands; it brings suffering in the form of pain and deprives a person of the ability, for example, to independently hold a cup or fasten a button.
The photo shows a hand affected by arthritis: the finger joints are swollen, the skin over them is slightly reddened
The causes of the disease may be:
The disease can occur in acute or chronic form. The consequences of chronic arthritis are no less dangerous than those occurring in an acute form, but it is sometimes possible to detect it and begin treatment only at a stage when complete restoration of the joint is no longer possible.
Common symptoms of hand arthritis include:
Competent diagnosis is an important condition for effective treatment of any disease. When examining a patient with suspected arthritis of the hands, visible symptoms are first identified, then an x-ray examination of the hand joints is performed and tests are prescribed:
Comprehensive treatment of arthritis necessarily includes drug therapy.
To reduce pain, relieve inflammation and swelling, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (diclofenac, ibuprofen, ketoprofen and its derivatives, movalis, indomethacin, piroxicam) and corticosteroids (prednisolone, dexamethasone, betamethasone, methylprednisolone) are prescribed.
To stop the destruction of joint cartilage tissue, the patient may be prescribed chondroprotectors containing glucosamine sulfate, chondroitin sulfate, organic sulfur (methylsulfonylmethane), and a complex of cetyl and fatty acids (celadrin). Penicillamine, cytostatics and sulfonamides are used as drugs that act on the cause of the disease.
Physiotherapeutic treatments help reduce stiffness, inflammation and pain, and help maintain the functionality of hand joints. What are these procedures:
Massage and rehabilitation exercises help maintain and increase the range of motion in the joints of the hands Another way to treat arthritis is nutritional correction. The diet should contain foods rich in vitamins E, D and antioxidants: liver, fish, vegetables and fruits, nuts, bran.
The radical method of treating advanced forms of the disease is surgery. A prosthesis is installed in place of the destroyed joint of the hand, or the bones of the hand are fixed in a stationary state. The last option is called arthrodesis and is used to relieve the patient of pain.
To avoid serious complications or surgery, it is necessary to consult a doctor in time and begin therapy. Arthritis of the hands of the first and second degrees in most cases is completely cured.
Arthritis is an inflammatory disease that primarily affects small joints. Therefore, damage to the hands by this disease is not uncommon. Many people believe that crooked, thickened fingers are a sign of old age. But arthritis of the hands can appear at any age. After all, this disease is caused in most cases by infection. If several joints are affected, they speak of the development of polyarthritis.
A feature of inflammation of the joints of the fingers is that the disease progresses quickly and leads to complete immobility of the hand. The patient loses not only his ability to work, but also the ability to care for himself in everyday life. Therefore, the main thing is to detect the disease in time and begin its treatment. If you follow all the doctor’s recommendations, you can stop the destruction of your joints.
People over 50 years of age are most susceptible to inflammatory joint diseases, because at this time metabolic processes slow down, blood circulation is impaired, and cartilage wears out. Most often, women suffer from arthritis, which is associated with hormonal imbalances and a large load on the fingers.
People with bad habits, leading an unhealthy lifestyle or being overweight are at risk. Hereditary predisposition plays an important role in the development of the disease. In addition, arthritis of the fingers is considered an occupational disease of seamstresses, jewelers, tennis players, and people who work on computers.
All this leads to malnutrition of cartilage tissue, microtrauma of joints and the development of inflammation. And the following factors can provoke it:
You can suspect the development of hand arthritis if you experience pain in the hand after overexertion
To start treatment on time, you need to know the symptoms of arthritis well. They vary slightly in different forms of the disease, but there are common signs. If you consult a doctor when the first symptoms appear, the inflammation can be quickly relieved and bone tissue destruction can be prevented.
Arthritis of the fingers can be acute or chronic. Acute most often occurs when infection enters the joint cavity. The chronic course of the disease occurs after injuries, with metabolic disorders, or in people whose hands are exposed to increased stress.
If one joint is inflamed, it is said to be ordinary arthritis, but on the hands, almost all the small joints of the fingers are usually affected. This is the so-called polyarthritis.
In addition, there are several types of disease depending on the cause of its occurrence.
If the disease affects only the thumb, they speak of the development of rhizarthritis
This disease requires mandatory consultation with a doctor. Only after diagnostic procedures and determination of the cause of the inflammatory process can the correct treatment be prescribed. The prognosis for recovery depends on the patient’s efforts. You need to not only apply the treatment methods prescribed by your doctor, but also make changes to your lifestyle:
After examining and determining the cause of the disease, the doctor prescribes a special diet, exercise regimen, drug therapy and additional treatment methods.
In most cases, arthritis must be treated with special medications. You cannot choose them yourself, guided by advertising or the advice of friends. All medications are prescribed by a doctor depending on the nature of the inflammatory process, the type of arthritis, and the stage of the disease. Usually several groups of drugs are used.
Anti-inflammatory ointments can relieve arthritis symptoms
Treatment for arthritis of the hands should be comprehensive. In addition to tablets and ointments, physiotherapeutic methods must be used:
Therapeutic gymnastics plays a very important role in the treatment of arthritis. It needs to be done regularly. For example, the following exercises: rolling a ball with the palm of your hand, clenching your fingers into a fist, alternately raising your fingers, fingering a rosary, and others. The main thing is that gymnastics does not cause pain and helps to cope with stiffness in movements.
In complex therapy of the disease, traditional treatment is often used. There are many methods: rubbing, compresses, ointments for joints, but they can be used after consultation with a doctor.
Finger exercises effectively help relieve pain and restore joint mobility
It is believed that arthritis needs to be treated throughout life. During the period of remission, when you do not take pills or use ointments, you must adhere to certain rules.
In severe cases, arthritis leads to severe deformation of the hand and complete loss of performance.
When the disease develops in older people or after an injury, its main unpleasant consequence is curvature of the fingers and deformation of the hand. This leads to loss of performance and disability of the patient. It is also dangerous when arthritis becomes chronic. In this case, pain occurs periodically, and the process of destruction of bone tissue proceeds unnoticed.
Only timely treatment can stop the progression of the disease. Serious complications are possible when arthritis reaches its final stage. In this case, not only joints are affected, but also the nervous system, blood vessels, and kidneys.
It is believed that it is impossible to completely cure arthritis. But if you consult a doctor in a timely manner and follow all his recommendations, you can maintain your ability to work and reduce the frequency of attacks. When fighting this disease, it is very important that the patient constantly takes care of the health of his joints.
Arthritis of the hands is an inflammatory process localized in the corresponding joints. Arthritis of the hands and fingers is a common condition. According to the latest data, this disease affects every seventh inhabitant of the planet. In most cases, women are affected, almost five times more often than men. Doctors explain this by the fact that women, due to the nature of their professional and everyday activities, are more often engaged in small manual labor. Arthritis usually affects the metacarpophalangeal and interphalangeal joints.
This disease occurs with inflammatory changes and, as a rule, is secondary, that is, a consequence of an existing disease. For example, arthritis of the hands is observed in rheumatic, infectious and metabolic disorders. The disease is socially significant, as it often leads to a person losing the ability to work and self-care and becoming disabled.
Symptoms of the disease may vary depending on what caused it.
But there are general signs that are characteristic of arthritis of the hands of any etiology:
The pain that a person experiences when performing any actions with his hands. At the initial stage of the disease, it may be mild, but as pathogenesis develops, the discomfort becomes stronger. At first, the pain appears only in the morning, after a person has remained motionless for a long time, and after 30 minutes it disappears. Often patients call the pain that occurs in the joints of the fingers an aching, which clearly indicates its nature. Sometimes it may be accompanied by a burning and tingling sensation;
Reaction of joints to changes in weather, as well as changes in atmospheric pressure;
Stiffness of the hands, inability to move the fingers, this symptom is especially pronounced in the morning, immediately after waking up. The sensation is similar to that of a narrow glove being put on your hand. Often, in order to perform basic self-care actions, a person needs to first develop his hands and fingers;
The skin on the knuckles and around the joints affected by the disease becomes red, hot to the touch, and stretched;
Swelling and swelling form around the joints. This makes the hands look like pillows, the fingers thicken;
The body temperature rises locally - in the place where the diseased joint is located. But sometimes, for example, with infectious or rheumatoid arthritis, the general body temperature may increase, and fever is often observed;
Joints with arthritis of the hands are affected symmetrically;
As you move your fingers, you may hear a characteristic joint creak—crepitus. It should not be confused with regular clicking sounds, which are normal;
Subcutaneous nodules may appear;
Sometimes there is a loss of body weight associated with the inflammatory process occurring in the body, as well as rapid fatigue and weakness. More often, similar symptoms are observed with rheumatoid arthritis. The arms become spindle-shaped.
The following reasons can be identified as the main factors leading to arthritis of the hand joints:
Age. The older a person is, the more his joints wear out, the nature of the damage is mechanical. In addition, with age, metabolism slows down somewhat; nutrients do not reach the cartilage in the required volume (due to poor circulation). In women, hand arthritis occurs due to the fact that hormonal changes occur in their body during menopause, which negatively affects the condition of joint and bone tissues;
One of the common causes of arthritis in the hands is a previous injury. These could be bruises, fractures, cracks. They, of course, heal over time, but damage remains on the joints, which after years resemble arthritis;
Working conditions affect the incidence of hand arthritis. Thus, this pathology is considered an occupational disease of seamstresses, jewelers, tennis players and all other people whose activities involve the fact that the fingers and hands are constantly under tension;
Hereditary predisposition. Scientists have found that if blood relatives suffered from arthritis, then their descendants are likely to also be susceptible to this disease;
Decreased immunity can cause inflammation of small joints;
A previous infectious disease. Often, damage to the joints of the hand occurs after a person has had a sore throat, the causative agent of which is streptococcus or staphylococcus. Especially often, such complications occur against the background of improper treatment of the disease. But the cause of inflammation can also be a common ARVI, as well as hypothermia;
Diseases such as psoriasis, rheumatism, sexually transmitted infections, lupus erythematosus, diabetes mellitus, gout, tuberculosis - all this can cause arthritis of the hands and fingers;
Stress should not be ignored as a factor influencing the occurrence of the disease.
There are several stages of development of arthritis of the fingers and hands, each of which has its own symptoms:
The first stage is characterized by the fact that there are no obvious signs of the disease. However, knowing what you should pay attention to, you can already at this stage suspect arthritis on your own and consult a doctor. When the disease begins to affect the hands, a person is unable to perform simple actions in the morning - turn on the water or gas. At the same time, stiffness goes away very quickly, so patients often do not seek medical help;
The second stage is characterized by the formation of bone erosions, the signs of the disease become brighter. The joints of the fingers begin to ache, crackle and swell; a person experiences difficulties not only in the morning, but also during the day. Due to the fact that it becomes more difficult to perform professional activities, people at this stage more often consult a doctor;
The third stage is determined by joint deformation. The hands are always affected symmetrically, the pain in the fingers becomes very severe. Most of all, it torments a person in the morning, the skin turns red, the local temperature rises, and movements are constrained. These signs may not go away until the patient takes pain medication;
Fourth stage. The articular cartilage grows together, it becomes impossible to move the fingers, and even the simplest self-care skills are lost. The person becomes helpless and is assigned one of the degrees of disability.
If we look at the classification, we can count up to 10 varieties of this disease.
The most common types of arthritis in the hands are:
Infectious arthritis is the result of an infection entering a joint, which can be transmitted through blood or directly;
Metabolic arthritis, which can also be called “gouty”. The cause is the accumulation of uric acid salts near the joints. Most often occurs systemically;
Rheumatoid arthritis. In most cases, it begins precisely with small joints, which include the joints of the fingers. Subsequently, the disease affects larger joints;
Post-traumatic arthritis is the result of damage to bone tissue and articular cartilage. The inflammatory process is often delayed;
Depending on the location of the inflammation, hand arthritis can be proximal, middle or distal;
You may come across the name “rhizarthritis” - this is the definition of arthritis that affects only the thumb;
Secondary arthritis, which occurs as a reaction of the body to immune disorders, allergic reactions or somatic diseases.
The earlier the disease is detected, and the more strictly the patient adheres to all medical recommendations, the more favorable the prognosis for recovery. Even in cases where it is not possible to recover completely, a person experiences a stable remission, during which he can live and work fully. Joint mobility will remain for a long time. A person may not become disabled until the end of his life and will be able to provide for himself independently, as well as work at any job until retirement. Thus, the prognosis directly depends on the patient himself, or rather on how he follows medical recommendations.
Found an error in the text? Select it and a few more words, press Ctrl + Enter
Before starting treatment, you need to remember the following rules, which will make any therapeutic regimen more effective and will make it possible to forget about the disease for a long time:
You should forget about self-medication. All, even seemingly the most proven methods of treating sore joints of the hands, must be previously agreed upon with the doctor;
The load on sore finger joints should be minimal. If this cannot be done due to professional activities, then it is necessary to go on sick leave, at least for the duration of the exacerbation of the disease. Housekeeping responsibilities should be delegated to close people as much as possible;
Perform daily exercises that your doctor recommends. They need to be done competently, effortlessly and only during the period of remission;
All prescriptions of the attending physician must be carried out unquestioningly;
It is prohibited to lift heavy objects or make sudden movements with your hands;
Rest at night should be complete and be at least 8 hours;
If necessary, you need to purchase special devices that make life easier for people with arthritis;
You need to strictly adhere to the chosen diet, do not take breaks during the holidays;
Every day you need to drink the amount of water recommended by your doctor.
Since most often arthritis of the hands occurs systemically, and many joints are involved in the pathological process, from small to large, it will not be possible to do without medication. If therapy is carried out according to doctor's instructions, side effects can be minimized. Moreover, modern drugs for the treatment of arthritis are developed taking into account the latest advances in medicine.
Drug treatment of hand arthritis is carried out using the following drugs:
When the disease is in the acute phase, taking NSAIDs is necessary. Drugs in this group include diclofenac, ibuprofen, ketonal, and ibuclin. They will help relieve inflammation and swelling somewhat, as well as reduce pain, which will immediately have a beneficial effect on the patient’s well-being;
Preparations that are based on chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine. But you should be prepared for the fact that you will need to take them over a long period of time. The minimum duration of therapy is 3 months. In the future, the appropriateness of the appointment is determined by the patient’s well-being. Such a long treatment period is due to the fact that the hyaline cartilage of the joints of the fingers and hand is restored slowly;
Agents that promote vasodilation. Taking them is necessary to ensure that the joints receive adequate nutrition from the blood. It is impossible to ensure this process with narrowed vessels. Trental, Teonicol, Actovegin are prescribed as such drugs. They are available in the form of injections, which are administered intramuscularly or intravenously, at the discretion of the doctor. A single course consists of 10 injections;
If arthritis is bacterial in nature, then its therapy is impossible without the use of systemic antibiotics. These can be penicillins, as well as macrolides;
To optimize joint nutrition, vitamin complexes are prescribed, sometimes supplemented with calcium supplements;
If the disease does not respond to the above therapy, then corticosteroids or antimalarials may be prescribed. But doctors try to avoid these drugs, since their effect is short-lived and there can be many side effects;
For external use, a variety of ointments containing NSAIDs are prescribed. This can be fastum-gel, voltaren and others. The advantage of local treatment is that it does not (unlike tablets) irritate the gastrointestinal tract.
The need to undergo physiotherapeutic procedures is dictated by the fact that the treatment of hand arthritis must be carried out in a complex manner. Physiotherapy procedures open up a lot of possibilities, help improve the metabolic process and stop the destructive effect of the disease on the joints.
Ultrasound treatment, electrophoresis, massage, quartz treatment and acupuncture have been successfully used. Since the hand joints are in close proximity to the surface of the skin, targeting them with any of these procedures will be most effective.
Electrophoresis is carried out using a special apparatus. The joint is exposed to current of different frequencies. This improves blood circulation, relieves pain and promotes the regeneration of cartilage tissue. Using electrophoresis, various drugs are delivered to the joint, for example dimexide, analgin, novocaine, etc.
Electrophoresis cannot be performed if:
There is a built-in implant that falls under the treatment area;
There are skin diseases.
Ultrasound is no less popular in the treatment of hand joints. It helps relieve spasms, restore mobility to the fingers, and reduce pain. However, this method of treatment can be used only when the acute stage of the disease has passed, since exposure to ultrasound affects the degree of vascular permeability. Although this method is highly effective, it also has a number of contraindications, for example, menopause, coronary heart disease, vegetative-vascular dystonia, hypertension and other diseases.
Thus, ultrasound therapy and electrophoresis are considered the most effective for arthritis of the fingers and hands. These are the two most commonly used methods of auxiliary therapy for hand arthritis in modern domestic medicine. Although other countries adhere to other methods. So, in China, acupuncture is used to treat arthritis of the hands. However, only complex therapy can relieve a person from pain and inflammation in the joints.
During the acute period, anti-inflammatory drugs and painkillers are prescribed. The form can be any: injections, ointments, tablets. Selected individually for each patient.
When a period of remission begins, the swelling subsides, the pain subsides, and the joint itself is not inflamed, then it is necessary to actively begin to restore the joint and, at the same time, eliminate the cause of the arthritis. If inflammation begins against the background of gout, then purine metabolism in the body should be normalized, which will reduce the level of uric acid. To do this, you must follow a diet. With rheumatoid arthritis, it is necessary to normalize the functioning of the immune system as a whole. It is at the stage of remission that a course of physiotherapy is prescribed.
If the patient seeks help too late, when the phalanges of the fingers have fused, then endoprosthetics will be necessary.
This procedure is effective in treating most joint diseases. But it is prescribed when other methods of therapy do not give the desired effect. Before replacing even a small finger joint with a prosthesis, the patient is fully examined. Each artificial joint is developed individually, taking into account the physiological characteristics of a person.
The goal of endoprosthetics is to restore the functionality of the hands. After the operation, the person will be able to perform self-care activities. However, this procedure has significant disadvantages - high cost and long rehabilitation period.
How does endoprosthetics of fingers occur?
An incision is made on the dorsolateral surface of the hand, then the articular capsule is opened;
The heads of the bones are removed, just like the phalanges of the fingers, but usually not completely, but partially. The doctor makes the decision;
Dentures are installed in widened channels.
After a successful operation and completion of a rehabilitation course, a person will be able to restore motor activity in their hands and significantly improve their quality of life. He will also no longer be tormented by long-term pain caused by hand arthritis in the final stages.
However, there are a number of contraindications to endoprosthetics surgery:
Acute or chronic osteomyelitis;
Any skin infections until they are completely cured;
Pathologies of the cardiovascular system (meaning severe forms in which a person cannot tolerate anesthesia);
If earlier the problem of replacing a native joint with an artificial one could not be resolved due to the fact that the prosthesis was often rejected by the body, now orthopedic surgeons in most cases carry out the operation successfully. The joints themselves are made of special materials that have increased strength and at the same time take root well in the human body.
There are certain foods that can relieve the symptoms of arthritis. These include:
Sea fish with high fat content. These may be representatives of the salmon family, tuna, sardines;
Fresh fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin C. These include papaya, kiwi, peaches and oranges.;
We should not forget about apples, which contain elements that help relieve inflammation in joints and restore cartilage tissue;
Nuts and seeds. Preference should be given to almonds. But it is important that the nuts are not salted, since salt in large quantities is prohibited for people with arthritis;
Foods like ginger and turmeric will not only reduce inflammation, but also help reduce pain;
Garlic is great for dealing with inflammation. But don’t get too carried away with it, as it irritates the stomach. It is better to consume a few cloves of garlic with your main meal;
Cereals such as millet, buckwheat, oatmeal and rice.
Sometimes doctors insist that a patient with hand arthritis switch to a completely vegetarian diet. At the same time, heat treatment of vegetables and fruits should be kept to a minimum. It is not necessary to exclude animal products from your diet forever; you only need to do this for a week until the acute phase of the disease passes. During this time, substances that have a destructive effect on cartilage and bone tissue will be eliminated from the body to some extent.
However, there are foods that it is important to abstain from consuming at all times: both during an exacerbation and during remission.
These include:
Hot peppers, tomatoes, eggplants and pumpkin. These vegetables can provoke an attack of pain. Especially if the hand arthritis was caused by gout;
All foods containing saturated fat. These include fatty meats and delicacies, offal, baked goods with margarine;
Chocolate, cocoa, gingerbread, cookies, condensed milk;
For those people who suffer from arthritis of the fingers, certain nutritional rules have been developed.
If you adhere to them, the diet will be effective and will definitely have a positive effect:
The daily diet should be divided into 3 main meals and 3 snacks. In this way, it will be possible to regulate blood sugar levels, and, importantly, the level of purine acids, which cause deposits to form on the joints of the hands;
You cannot consume a large amount of food at one time, and also starve;
Body weight should be controlled. If you have excess pounds, you need to lose them. But this process must take place under medical supervision;
You need to drink enough water, which the doctor can calculate based on how much the person weighs;
You can drink not only ordinary, but also alkaline mineral water, if there are no contraindications to this.
There are special exercises aimed at developing sore fingers and hands. But they must be performed during the period of remission and in such a way as not to cause harm to health.
Several effective exercises to restore the function of hand joints:
Exercise 1. “Fist”. Warm-up, which consists of clenching your hands tightly into a fist. In this case, the thumb should be on top of the other four. You should press it on your fingers and remain in this position for at least half a minute. After this, the fist unclenches and the fingers spread as wide as possible to the sides. The exercise must be done with both hands synchronously. You need to repeat up to 4 times. An important limitation to performing the exercise is the occurrence of painful sensations. If discomfort occurs, the activity must either be stopped completely or the intensity of the compression reduced;
Exercise 2. “Rosary beads.” Alternately, you need to touch the pads of each of the remaining fingers with your thumb. You should start with the index finger, stopping at the little finger and working your way back. Perform at least 5 times;
Exercise 3. “Fan”. The palms must be pressed firmly against any flat surface, but without resting on them. Try to tense your hands and spread your fingers out to the sides as wide as possible. Repeat 5 times, try to perform as if a tight elastic band was put on your fingers, the resistance of which must be overcome;
Exercise 4. “Piano”. The hands remain in the same position as in the previous exercise. In this case, you must alternately try to lift your finger up, while leaving the adjacent fingers on the table. Do not bend them at the joints. Repeat 3 times for each brush;
Exercise 5. “Pendulum”. To do this, you also need to leave your hands on the table, your fingers rise up one by one, but at the same time they will need to be moved in different directions - twice, and then the same number of times in a circle;
Exercise 6. “Claws.” To do this, you need to leave your hands in the same position, bend and straighten your fingers, pulling them towards your palm. But you need to do it not one by one, but with all five fingers at once;
Exercise 7. “Pencil”. You need to take a pencil, place it on a flat surface and roll it from your fingertips to the base of your palm. The same exercise must be performed while holding the pencil suspended in a vertical position. It is better if it has ribbed edges rather than a smooth surface;
Exercise 8. “Ball”. The ball must be placed on a flat surface and rolled back and forth with your fingers. You can diversify the exercise by rolling the ball in a circle. It is better if it is a special massage ball with small ribbed spikes. Thus, it will be possible to achieve a massage effect and improve blood supply to the hands.
No person can completely protect themselves from a disease such as arthritis, but there are preventive measures aimed at reducing the risk of the disease.
To do this, you need to adhere to the following recommendations:
Every infectious disease must be treated to the end, without self-medication and promptly seeking help from a doctor;
Take vitamin and mineral complexes designed to provide joints with nutrients in full;
Strengthen the body with the help of hardening procedures, adhere to a healthy lifestyle;
Try to avoid sudden fluctuations in weight, control body weight and get rid of extra pounds in a timely manner;
Eliminate or sharply limit the consumption of alcoholic beverages, get rid of such bad habits as smoking;
Author of the article: Muravitsky Igor Valerievich, rheumatologist
Rheumatoid arthritis of the hands, photos of which will be presented below, is scary because if you do not start treating it on time, the joint will completely collapse. The consequences can only be corrected by surgery. As you know, any disease significantly complicates life, so there is no need to provoke its occurrence. This is why prevention exists, although many do not follow it.
Arthritis mainly affects the joints of the arms, hands, and ankles. Moreover, each type is characterized by an individual approach to treatment. Doctors often advise exercising, eating healthy foods, and avoiding hypothermia from a very early age. A disease called rheumatoid arthritis is a consequence of advanced arthritis.
The disease itself is an inflammation of the joints of the hands. In this case, the likelihood of disease in the small joints of the fingers is very high. Women are most often affected by this pathology, since they are less active than men. According to statistics, the disease is affecting more and more people of different ages and races. Now, according to the Ministry of Health, arthritis affects every 7th person.
The photo of a hand affected by rheumatoid arthritis looks very unattractive. The photo is not pleasant, but this can happen to anyone if you do not monitor your health. Swollen and crooked fingers make it impossible for you to continue your previous lifestyle. In addition, women running a household are not allowed to take pathology to extremes. Inflammation of the joints requires long-term complex and surgical treatment. Housewives in this case will have to suspend their activities.
First of all, when you live your normal life, antibodies enter your body. Gradually accumulating in the joints of the hands, fingers, legs, and neck, they combine and destroy their tissues. The disease progresses rapidly and is almost asymptomatic, especially in the chronic course of the disease.
Acute arthritis, unlike chronic arthritis, is caused by loss of appetite, pain in the affected area, fever and insomnia. The fingers, in turn, become swollen and red. If you notice at least one of the signs, then immediately visit a doctor.
The pathology subsequently affects other vital organs. For example, problems with the lungs, kidneys, heart and nerves may occur. Some people don’t even realize the insidiousness of this joint disease. Therefore, don't wait for rheumatoid arthritis to go away on its own (it won't), see a rheumatologist. Only he will be able to distinguish this disease from other similar ones. First, the doctor will listen to you, ask several standard questions, then prescribe a blood test (immunological and biochemical). In order to accurately determine the degree of development of arthritis, magnetic resonance imaging of the joints is prescribed. After the entire examination, the specialist prepares a comprehensive treatment, which includes medications, traditional medicine, therapeutic exercises, physiotherapy and other effective treatment methods.
Do you feel sharp pain in your joints and fatigue in the morning? Has it become difficult for you to carry out loads that you previously could withstand calmly? Have there been any changes to your hands? Please note that you may suspect inflammation of a joint.
The provoking factors are clearly formulated and defined, so you have the power to prevent the disease. So, the following actions give impetus to the development of joint diseases:
Many people mistakenly assume that they know how to treat a sore throat, flu, colds, or acute respiratory infections on their own. However, when taking known drugs against bacteria, the symptoms are muffled and you feel an improvement in your overall health. What happens in the body? Bacteria, which over time have developed immunity to many antibiotics, begin to settle in the organs after taking them. Depending on individual physiological signs, diseases of the liver, kidneys, and lungs may occur. Inflammation of the prostate gland in men and the occurrence of rheumatoid arthritis in women are possible. Of course, all this can be prevented even at the stage of a common cold. Therefore, do not rush to prescribe certain medications to yourself. Look at the photo of hands affected by the disease - this is what self-medication leads to.
As for a sedentary lifestyle, women are more susceptible to this. By nature, men are physically more active and stronger than the weaker sex. The female gender prefers sedentary work (in the office, for example). Among other things, they do not engage in any sports or morning exercises. By the way, because of this, ailments appear not only with the joints, but also with the spine. The fact is that when we sit, the organs begin to stagnate, the muscles gradually atrophy, and deformation occurs in the joints. Under sudden loads (even minor ones), fractures and various types of injuries can occur.
Everyone knows about the harmful consequences of drinking alcohol, cigarettes and drugs. They can simultaneously provoke the progression of several ailments, the treatment of which will take a lot of your time.
There are several symptoms that characterize the presence of rheumatoid arthritis.
After you are convinced of the presence of pathology (through examination), a course of treatment is drawn up in accordance with the period of development of the disease. At the same time, treating rheumatoid arthritis at all stages (periods) is equally difficult.
The first period (acute) is characterized by frequent and intensifying pain in the affected area. Treatment consists of the use of anti-inflammatory drugs (non-steroidal or hormonal), taking into account the individual tolerance of the patient. The doctor may also prescribe tablets and ointments that eliminate inflammatory processes in the body and relieve pain.
During periods of remission (second stage), the signs of rheumatoid arthritis are blurred, but the disease can be determined by the necessary examinations. How to treat this stage? First of all, we need special drugs aimed at stopping the destructive process that affects the joints of the hands. Additionally, physiotherapy is recommended. Electrophoresis, ultrasound, massage, exercise therapy will benefit you.
It is necessary to include foods containing vitamin C in the diet, and physical exercises must be performed regularly to achieve better results. Go to the pool, do special exercises in the water that your doctor will recommend.
There is also the last, most dangerous stage of rheumatoid arthritis. Here antibiotics, therapies, massages are no longer effective. At this stage, the joint is completely destroyed and surgical intervention is necessary. The purpose of the operation is to replace the affected arm joint (hand, ankle).
Traditional medicine for treating inflamed joints includes the following remedies: potatoes (raw compresses from them), vinegar solution (weak), pine balm, bay leaf (decoction), ointment made from apple cider vinegar, turpentine and chicken eggs.
Compresses made from red wine and mustard powder will also significantly ease the condition.
The diet of a patient with rheumatoid arthritis should consist of fermented milk and dairy products, fresh fruits and vegetables, herbs and various cereals (oatmeal, buckwheat, millet). Avoid smoked foods, marinades, fatty foods, as well as coffee, strong tea, chocolate, and ice cream.
The following measures are used to prevent the disease.
By following preventive measures, you will protect yourself from this terrible disease. Be healthy!