Crooked, knotty, stiff fingers, crooked palm, pain when trying to make a fist. A condition when even simple writing becomes difficult work - all this is arthrosis of the hands. This is exactly how the advanced form of this disease manifests itself. But before reaching it, arthrosis goes through several stages, which are not so noticeable and do not cause so much concern to the patient. What are these stages?
In the photo - damage to the hand by arthrosis
Arthrosis of the hands is a degenerative destructive disease of the interphalangeal joints of the fingers, developing mainly in the elderly. People aged 55–70 years are diagnosed 20 times more often than other age groups. And out of the number of patients, for every 10 women there is only 1 man. However, not everyone has the same chance of getting sick. “Prisoners” of arthrosis of the hands most often become:
those whose parents, grandparents suffered from joint diseases - the main reason here is a hereditary predisposition;
workers in agriculture and a number of professions where work involves significant stress on the hands;
people with congenital defects in the anatomy of the joints and ligaments of the hands;
patients with rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, diabetes.
Arthrosis of the hands in women during menopause is caused by the same reasons as osteoporosis - a decrease in the synthesis of estrogen by the ovaries (female sex hormones).
Symptoms of carpal arthrosis depend on its stage. The onset of the disease is imperceptible, and the development is slowly progressive, so the patient may not pay attention to the discomfort in his hands for years and not even think about examination and treatment. And at this time, arthrosis can gain strength and sooner or later it will make itself felt - often in an already advanced form.
In the initial stage, arthrosis of the hand reveals itself as a crunching sound in the fingers when flexing and extending. Pain in the joints, not severe at first, occurs periodically - during magnetic storms, after active work, etc. The nature of the pain is aching, dull and bursting, acute pain attacks are atypical for this type of pathology.
Already at this stage, you can see a slight swelling of the interphalangeal joints of the fingers, which also appears periodically.
The pain during this period becomes constant, its intensity increases. It is most disturbing at night. There is a burning sensation and pulsation in the joints of the fingers. At the same time, where there was previously swelling, compactions form - Heberden's nodes (growths of bone tissue). Most often, these nodules appear symmetrically on both hands.
At the second stage of arthrosis, you may notice a slight deformation of the fingers. Patients also begin to worry about limited mobility in their arms.
At the last stage of the disease, the cartilaginous surface of the interphalangeal joints is almost completely destroyed. Bone growths (Heberden's nodes) enlarge and merge with each other, causing curvature of the fingers and severe limitation of mobility. Ankyloses often develop (fusion of the bone surfaces of the joints, leading to their complete immobility).
Severe aching pain in the fingers becomes a constant symptom. And in those joints where the cartilage is completely destroyed and ankylosis has developed, there may be no pain, but there is no movement at all.
Treatment of carpal arthrosis depends on its phase.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (ibuprofen, diclofenac and others) are taken simultaneously with chondroprotectors.
If complications develop, when inflammation (arthritis or synovitis) can join a long-term dystrophic process, therapy with corticosteroid hormones (hydrocortisone, cortisol, etc.) is carried out.
Drug treatment is carried out until pain disappears and other symptoms significantly decrease.
Alternative treatment will be much more effective if used in the early stages of the disease. The sooner you notice symptoms, the sooner you should be examined and, if necessary, begin therapy. Here are a few simple recipes that, according to reviews, have helped many patients.
At night, cook a thick porridge from half a glass of rolled oats flakes (without salt, sugar or other additives). After it has cooled a little, add 1 full tablespoon of honey and stir. Apply the porridge to the sore joints, wrap with a bandage and put on fabric gloves. After 7–8 hours, rinse off and lubricate your hands with cream.
Reduction of pain and other unpleasant symptoms with this treatment go away in about a week.
Mix honey, glycerin, medical alcohol and iodine in equal proportions. Let the composition brew for 24 hours and use it to rub sore joints. Can be used up to two times daily, no more often. Rubbing has a strong anti-inflammatory and warming effect, effectively relieving pain.
In case of joint diseases, it is important to provide cartilage tissue with good nutrition. This can be done by including red salmon fish, nuts and vegetable oils in your diet as sources of polyunsaturated fatty acids. B vitamins and folic acid are useful for joints; there are many of these substances in sprouted cereals, wholemeal bread, beans, fermented milk products, white cabbage, bananas, and lentils. And you should completely avoid alcohol and high-calorie foods.
Treat your hands with care and monitor their health - then no arthrosis will take you by surprise.
Arthrosis is a common pathology that mainly affects the elderly population. Arthrosis of the hand is rarely affected; pathology usually occurs in those joints that undergo heavy loads, for example, the knees. Today we will look at what is arthrosis of the hands and why is it dangerous?
With this disease, degenerative-dystrophic changes occur in the joint, and arthrosis of the hand occurs more often in women after menopause, since the fair half of the population is more often engaged in minor manual labor.
The disease develops slowly, and pronounced symptoms appear when the cartilage tissue has already been significantly damaged. The disease is difficult to treat and gradually leads to irreversible dysfunction of the joint and disability. To avoid such consequences, it is necessary to begin treatment for arthrosis of the hands as early as possible.
Symptoms of arthrosis of the hands depend primarily on the stage of the disease. Since the pathology develops slowly, there are 3 stages of the disease. Arthrosis of the hand joints can slowly develop over many years, and signs of arthrosis of the hands will appear only after retirement age. In most cases, the disease manifests itself by the age of 70.
At the first stage of the pathology, there is no pain, but patients feel a peculiar crunch when bending and straightening their fingers. This is due to damage to cartilage tissue. Over time, pain appears; at first it is weak and occurs after active work with the affected joints, but gradually intensifies. Treatment of arthrosis of the hands of the 1st degree must be started as early as possible in order to avoid serious consequences.
At the second stage of the disease, patients complain of constant pain, which becomes much more intense when the weather changes, after working with their hands. In addition to crunching, stiffness appears in the affected joints when moving, and it becomes difficult for the patient to work with the affected arm, especially in the morning after a long rest.
Arthrosis of the hands of the second degree is manifested by swelling around the affected joint and gradual deformation; characteristic seals form on the joints, which are called Heberden’s nodes. During periods of exacerbation, which often occur during magnetic storms and weather changes, throbbing pain appears, the affected joint turns red and swells more.
The location of Bouchard's nodes is the lateral surface of the proximal joints of the hand, which is why the fingers acquire a fusiform, ugly shape. Nodules develop gradually, almost painlessly.
At the third stage of the disease, almost complete destruction of cartilage tissue and its replacement with bone is observed. As a result, the joint stops hurting and moving, and irreversible dysfunction of the joint occurs. At the last stage, small Heberden nodes unite, and severe deformation of the fingers appears. Treatment for grade 3 arthrosis of the hand is only surgical, otherwise the function of the articulation cannot be restored.
The exact cause of arthrosis of the hands is unknown, but doctors usually associate the pathology with monotonous manual labor, which is why women are more susceptible to the disease. Since the pathology develops gradually, arthrosis is diagnosed in 95% of cases in people over 55 years of age.
The following negative factors that affect the human body can provoke diseases:
Often, pathology develops due to the influence of several negative factors at once. With age, new diseases appear, excess weight occurs, and physical activity decreases.
Before you begin treatment for arthrosis of the small joints of the hands, it is necessary to make a correct diagnosis. In the final stages, arthrosis of the hands can be identified from a photo, as characteristic nodules appear on the fingers. But even deforming arthrosis of the hands is difficult to correctly diagnose at the initial stage, since the symptoms are very similar to other joint diseases.
To identify arthrosis of the small joints of the hands, you must first consult a general practitioner. The specialist will conduct an examination and, if necessary, refer the patient to a specialist, for example, an arthrologist, rheumatologist or orthopedist.
An experienced doctor will be able to quickly identify joint pathology based on the patient’s complaints; the specialist will also take an anamnesis and conduct an external examination. To confirm the diagnosis, the patient will be sent to undergo a series of tests, these are blood tests, urine tests, x-rays of the hands, ultrasound and other procedures if necessary.
Patients who have experienced joint pain are interested in how to treat arthrosis of the hands. Therapy for the disease is long-term and complex. Arthrosis is a chronic pathology, and it will not be possible to completely get rid of it, but if the patient follows the doctor’s recommendations for life, the destruction of the joints will stop.
During the period of exacerbation, it is necessary to limit the motor activity of the diseased joints; you should not carry weights in your sore hand, sew, knit, or type on a computer. Treatment of arthrosis of the joints of the hand should be accompanied by taking medications; we will consider which tablets are best to take for arthrosis of the hand below.
In complex treatment, patients are prescribed physiotherapeutic procedures, which must be completed in the clinic. Physiotherapy perfectly relieves pain, improves blood circulation in tissues, and it is very useful to combine such treatment with massage. And after the acute pain is relieved, patients are prescribed therapeutic exercises.
Let's look at how to treat arthrosis of the hand with medications. Typically, patients are prescribed the following types of drugs:
Often, an infection joins a weakened body, and other chronic pathologies become aggravated; in this case, the patient is referred to specialized specialists, where specific treatment is prescribed.
When the disease just begins to manifest itself, patients do not really want to go to the hospital; here the question arises of how to treat arthrosis of the hands at the initial stage at home. I would like to note right away that it is still recommended to visit a specialist. The doctor will be able to identify the stage of the disease and stop the destruction of the joint, and also make an accurate diagnosis.
At home, it is recommended to limit the load on sore joints during an exacerbation; to relieve pain, you can use traditional medicine recipes, as well as buy ointment at the pharmacy with a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory substance, and apply it according to the instructions.
To reduce joint damage, you need to eat right, avoid spicy, fatty, fried and sweet foods. It is also recommended to take vitamins, eat more fruits and dairy products, and reduce the amount of red meat in the diet.
During the period of remission of the disease, you need to perform exercises to strengthen the muscles and improve blood circulation in the tissues of the joints. Gymnastics for arthrosis of the hands with video will help prevent further destruction of the joints and improve their function.
Examples of effective exercises for arthrosis of the hands:
If gymnastics causes pain, you should stop doing the exercises and consult a doctor, as this condition is a sign of further destruction of the joint. Loads should be increased gradually so as not to injure the affected cartilage even more. It is also recommended that during exercises you use not only your hands, but the whole body, since physical education is an excellent measure for the prevention of arthrosis of the joints of the whole body.
Another important question: how to treat arthrosis of the hand at an advanced stage, when irreversible changes have occurred. In this case, no medications or exercises will help, so doctors prescribe surgical treatment for the disease.
Ossified cartilage cannot be returned to its previous state, so the surgeon performs partial or complete removal of the cartilage tissue and replaces it with a special endoprosthesis. The prosthesis is made of strong and hypoallergenic materials; it allows the hand to return to normal function for a period of 15 to 30 years.
The operation is performed strictly according to indications; due to the possibility of complications, it is not permitted for everyone. After the procedure, long-term rehabilitation begins; first, the hand is immobilized, and after tissue healing, physical therapy and physiotherapy are indicated. The recovery time after hand replacement surgery is 12-15 weeks.
In the complex treatment of arthrosis of the hands, it is often recommended to use traditional medicine recipes. Many patients note that thanks to folk remedies, the doctor allowed them to give up harmful painkillers. But you shouldn’t fully rely on such recipes; they only have a symptomatic effect and cannot stop the destruction of joints.
For arthrosis, it is recommended to use the following remedies:
The most important role in treatment is the prevention of arthrosis of the hands. It should be carried out constantly in those people who have already been diagnosed with this pathology, and if a person constantly works with his hands, his joints undergo a heavy load, he is also recommended to follow preventive measures to prevent the development of arthrosis.
You can reduce the risk of destruction of the joints of your hands by following these helpful tips:
Prevention of joint diseases in general lies in caring for them. The patient should provide joints with rest, regular movement, good nutrition and warmth.
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You've probably seen, especially in older women, calloused hands with deformed, knobby fingers and protruding bumps on them. They say about such people - worn-out hands. These signs may occur in those who have been diagnosed with arthrosis of the finger joints.
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Arthrosis of the fingers is much less common than similar pathology in the knee, shoulder or hip joints.
This disease can be found in those who have worked hard all their lives, often overcooled their hands, and subjected their hands to constant dynamic loads.:
Another reason is genetic predisposition:
Deformations in the joint occur unmotivated. Inside, some pathological process simply turns on, depleting the structure of the cartilage tissue of the joint and leading to its gradual destruction.
Trauma can also lead to arthrosis, especially damage to the wrist joint.
Estrogen deficiency in menopausal women leads to bone resorption, which also contributes to arthrosis
Many people mistakenly call arthrosis arthritis, although arthritis is a much more serious disease.
Both pathologies begin with the small joints of the hands or feet, and then the larger ones are affected.
A mixed form is very often observed - arthrosis-arthritis, when joint deformation is accompanied by inflammation..
In any case, if the joints of the hands suddenly begin to change without reason, this may serve as an indicator that serious pathological processes have begun in the skeletal system.
Arthrosis of the wrist joint is more often diagnosed, mainly of traumatic origin.
From the picture below you can understand how complex the structure of the hand is, and how many joints are in it.
Arthrosis of the hand can be nodular:
Separately, rhizarthrosis is distinguished - damage to the metacarpophalangeal and metacarpal joints of the thumb.
Before treatment, it is especially important to differentiate the disease, that is, to weed out the worst option - arthritis.
Arthrosis of the wrist joint, which has arisen seemingly for no reason, can lead to such a suspicion: the patient cannot remember either falling on the hand or any load on it.
Your doctor will likely order a rheumatoid test, an immunological blood test that can detect C-reactive protein, rheumatoid factor, and a marker called antistreptolysin. The presence of these elements in the blood confirms rheumatoid arthritis.
X-ray diagnosis of the hand can reveal arthrosis by:
The disease rarely requires pain medication.
The main condition for treatment is to eliminate the cause that provoked the disease itself.:
Arthrosis of the radial joint requires mandatory protection of the hand with a special orthopedic wristband during periods of possible stress.
In the first stages, metabolism in the joint can be improved with the help of chondroprotectors - artificial substitutes necessary for the connective tissues of chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine
But overestimating the capabilities of these drugs - prescribing them in the last stages or incorrect short-term use - leads to unreasonable disappointment of the patient with these really good, albeit expensive, drugs
At the last stage, already with a deficiency of synovial fluid, intra-articular injections of hyaluronic acid are effective
Physiotherapeutic treatment improves blood circulation and nutrition of the joint:
You can use self-massage:
It is not difficult to completely restore JOINTS! The most important thing is to rub this into the sore spot 2-3 times a day.
Arthrosis of the hand, the symptoms of which will be presented below, is characterized by simultaneous damage to several joints, namely the phalanges of the thumbs and the interphalangeal elements of the hands.
As a rule, this disease is accompanied by pain, especially with mechanical rhythm. In other words, the patient may experience quite strong discomfort during forceful loads on the joints. As for the state of passivity and rest, in this case the patient notes a significant decrease in pain.
Quite often, patients with such an advanced disease as arthrosis of the hands turn to doctors. Treatment of this disease should be carried out immediately after detection. After all, untimely therapy can easily cause aggravation of the condition of inflamed joints, as well as progression of the pain syndrome.
It is quite possible to detect the presence of such a disease based on the following signs:
If a patient has arthrosis of the small joints of the hands, then his fingers may change, become deformed, become short, etc. This is a clear sign of the disease, and therefore the patient should immediately consult a doctor.
There are several reasons why a person can develop a disease such as arthrosis of the joints of the hands. It should be noted that the disease occurs not only in older people, but also in very young people. The following reasons may contribute to this:
Treatment of this disease is quite complex and takes a lot of time. After contacting a doctor, the latter is obliged to prescribe complex therapy, otherwise it will not give a positive result.
As a rule, having made a diagnosis, the doctor prescribes the following medications to his patient:
When starting such drug treatment, you should not hope for a quick recovery. This is especially true for those who have advanced arthrosis of the joints of the hands.
Along with drug therapy, traditional methods are also actively used to treat this disease. The most effective and popular of them is the use of compresses made on the basis of ordinary salt and honey.
To prepare such a healing remedy, you need to mix the presented ingredients in one bowl in 1:1 proportions. Next, the resulting homogeneous mixture must be applied to a linen rag, and then immediately applied to the damaged joints, carefully wrapping it with a bandage. As a rule, such compresses are left overnight and removed in the morning after sleep.
In addition to honey and salt, clay is actively used for non-traditional treatment of this disease. To do this, apply warm product to the damaged areas and leave it on for about 25 minutes.
Arthrosis of the hands, the treatment of which involves the use of folk remedies, also goes away safely thanks to warm baths with the addition of hay dust. To carry out such procedures, it is necessary to pour boiling water over 3 or 4 small handfuls of the mentioned herb, close the container tightly and let it stand for some time. Thus, the broth should cool to a temperature of 31-33°C. After these steps, the liquid needs to be poured into a bath of warm water. By the way, the patient can leave the hay dust or pass it through a fine strainer. The duration of such treatment sessions should be no more than half an hour. It is recommended to carry out these procedures every other day or two.
Arthrosis of the hands, the treatment of which is based on drug therapy in combination with traditional methods, goes away much faster if the patient performs special exercises daily. It should be noted that such exercises are almost always prescribed by doctors together with medications and healing baths and compresses. These exercises do not require much stress on the fingers and do not take too much time from the patient. In this regard, even an elderly person can perform them.
The first thing that doctors always advise their patients who have been diagnosed with arthrosis of the hands is to constantly drum on a hard surface (for example, a table) with injured fingers. To understand how to correctly carry out this exercise, we will describe its essence in more detail. To do this, a patient with arthrosis of the hands needs to sit comfortably on a chair near the table, and then place his outstretched arms on it. In this case, the hands should be relaxed as much as possible. In this position, the patient does not need to drum his fingers very hard on a flat and hard surface. It is recommended to repeat this exercise several times a day throughout the treatment of the disease.
If the patient has the opportunity to take advantage of the help of people around him, then doctors prescribe regular percussion massage. During such therapeutic measures, the assistant should place the patient's hand on his lap, and then press it well with his own hand. In this position, the massage therapist should begin to apply light blows to the sore joints with a free hand (through his own palm). It should be noted that the first sessions must be carried out carefully and as carefully as possible. It is recommended to constantly monitor the condition and pain in the patient’s hands. As the patient recovers, it is advisable to make these procedures longer and apply the blows harder and harder (it is just important not to overdo it).
Thus, by following all the doctor’s instructions for taking medications and using folk remedies, performing massage and doing exercises every day, the patient is able to recover very quickly and forever forget what arthrosis of the hands is.
Arthrosis of the hand and its treatment with folk remedies is a very fascinating and interesting “science”, because diagnosing and curing the disease is not so simple.
The disease brings not only physical suffering, but also significant cosmetic defects. In advanced stages, a significant loss of performance occurs, which disrupts a person’s usual way of life.
The causes of arthrosis are not fully understood. A specific list of predisposing factors has been identified that, under certain conditions, provoke the onset of the disease. Let's list just a few of them:
People associated with increased load on the hand are practically defenseless against the disease - pianists, programmers, office clerks.
Only if comprehensive treatment is started in the early stages can the disease be eliminated with minimal consequences. Traditional medicine, in tandem with traditional treatment methods, gives good results. Let's look at the most effective recipes.
A compress of thick oatmeal is a good way to relieve pain.
In folk remedies, compresses are actively used on the phalangeal joints. It is useful to make them from ordinary “school” chalk. Chop the chalk thoroughly and pour in any fermented milk product. Store-bought cream is best. From the listed products, a warm, mushy mixture is made, which is applied to the suffering joints, covered with parchment and thoroughly insulated.
Fern leaves will bring relief. They need to be bandaged to the limb for 10-12 hours.
Cabbage juice is suitable for a compress and is used immediately after squeezing.
Take 4 tbsp. spoons of turpentine and ammonia, mix them well. Beat 4 fresh chicken eggs into this mixture. It is not recommended to rub joints with this mixture for more than 5 days.
Take equal amounts of natural May honey, pharmaceutical iodine solution, glycerin and medical alcohol. Mix the ingredients thoroughly and after a few hours the “ointment” can be used for rubbing.
Heat 40 grams in a water bath. honey, 10 gr. fresh mustard powder, 20 gr. vegetable oil. When the mixture becomes semi-liquid, add 40 grams to it. cinquefoil ground into powder. Mix thoroughly and leave in a warm place for a few minutes. Sore joints need to be rubbed several times a day.
In early spring, dig up 100 gr. nettle roots, wash thoroughly and dry. Peel 6 large cloves of garlic. Pour half a liter of vodka over all ingredients and leave for 7-10 days. Use for rubbing interphalangeal joints.
Next, put 4 liters of water on high heat, which, after boiling, is mixed with 1 kilogram of fresh horseradish roots. There is only 10 minutes left to cook. When the liquid has almost cooled, strain and add honey. Store the decoction in the refrigerator. 100 g is enough for 1 dose. liquid and 1 spoon of cottage cheese. Use 3-5 times a day.
Brew 1 tbsp. spoon of lingonberry leaves and drink the decoction throughout the day. Lingonberries also help well with arthritis. You need to eat as many of them as possible during the season. Instead of lingonberries, currants are also suitable. It is prepared in the same dosage.
We remind you that any folk remedy is used only after a correct diagnosis has been made and as an addition to drug treatment. Consult your doctor before using new prescriptions, because self-medication is unacceptable!
Deforming arthrosis of the hands is a disease of the small bones of the hand, leading to the gradual destruction of the cartilage layer between the joints. Arthrosis is a slowly progressive disease that leads to irreversible changes in the joints, is difficult to treat and in its final stages makes life very difficult.
One of the causes of arthrosis is a violation of metabolic processes, which is most often observed in old age. In addition to age-related changes, provoking factors for the development of the disease can be:
— Injuries to the hands;
- Long-term, constant stress on the hands, which is observed when performing physical work;
— Congenital anomalies in the development of the structure of the bones of the hand;
— Rheumatoid arthritis, gout, endocrine diseases.
The appearance of the following symptoms may indicate that small bones are undergoing deformation:
— Pain in the hand that appears when performing physical work.
- Crunching in joints when moving;
- Swelling of the phalanges of the fingers;
- Feeling of tension in the muscles of the hand.
This disease can lead to such sad consequences.
Arthrosis of the small joints of the hands has three stages of disease development.
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With arthrosis of the hand, the pathological process most often involves the interphalangeal joints of the second, third and fourth fingers. This disease is more typical for people in certain professions - typists, seamstresses.
The diagnosis is made based on examination, tests and x-rays. At the first stage, a slight narrowing of the interarticular space is noticeable on x-ray. In the second stage, the image may show a picture of the formation of bone growths around the joint. The third stage is the complete closure of the joint space, deformation of the entire joint, while the patient’s hand mobility is almost completely lost.
A sick person needs to know that degenerative changes in a joint that have begun cannot be changed, but the process of their destruction may well be under control. By contacting a doctor when the first clinical signs appear, it will be possible to stop the process of cartilage destruction, which will stop the disease at the first stage, maintaining full movement and ability to work. Comprehensive treatment of arthrosis includes:
- Pain relief. Patients usually go to the clinic when pain occurs, so the doctor’s task is to relieve pain with analgesics.
— Suspension of the process of destruction of cartilage tissue. For this purpose, chondroprotectors are prescribed; this group of drugs must be taken for a long time, sometimes up to several months. Chondroprotectors are necessary for every sick person, as they do not allow further development of deformities and stop the destruction of cartilage tissue.
Arthrosis of the interphalangeal joints of the hands in the last stages of the development of the disease with a pronounced inflammatory process, severe pain and deformation can be treated with corticosteroids. At the onset of the disease, it responds well to treatment with physiotherapy, laser therapy, and therapeutic exercises. To relieve pain, you can also use medicinal ointments with active analgesic and anti-inflammatory components.
During the treatment period and throughout the life of a patient with arthrosis, it is recommended to include certain dishes in the diet. First of all, it is jellied meat, cooked from the legs, ears, and bones of animals - the collagen and gelatin contained in them strengthen the strength of cartilage tissue and improve blood circulation. For arthrosis, the consumption of lactic acid products is also indicated. Exacerbation of the disease can be caused by drinking alcohol, so many patients give up alcohol in the early stages. Patients' diets should include as many fresh vegetables, herbs, and fruits as possible. In the absence of diseases of the internal organs and after consultation with a doctor, therapeutic fasting can be carried out. For a patient with arthrosis, it is important to receive a sufficient amount of vitamins and antioxidants; vitamins A, E, and C are considered the most important for cartilage tissue.
In the treatment of deforming arthrosis of the interphalangeal joints on the fingers, along with prescribed medications, massage and special gymnastics are indicated. To carry them out, you can contact a specialist, or you can perform some exercises yourself. Self-massage includes:
- Light rubbing of all fingers, the hand itself and the forearm;
— Kneading the palm and fingers. For these purposes, you can use a suitable size rubber ball.
Rubbing is performed with the fingertips of the other hand in circular and stroking movements. Ease of movement is ensured by massage oil purchased at the pharmacy. You can also prepare it yourself by mixing olive oil with sesame oil and adding vitamin A in a solution of 10 ml.
Inflamed hand joints need periodic rest, so patients need to alternate physical activity with periods of relaxation. When performing various types of work, the hand should be rested every hour; during breaks, relaxing gymnastics can be performed. Doctors note that the inflammatory process in the first stage rarely progresses to subsequent ones if the patient undergoes the entire course of treatment and constantly performs the recommended exercises.
In conjunction with the course of treatment prescribed by the doctor, you can use folk recipes - various self-prepared ointments, rubs, compresses. For small joints of the hand, you can use baths with hay dust. A small amount of leftover hay is poured with boiling water and hands are kept in tolerably hot water for about 20 minutes. It is recommended to perform the procedure daily. Instead of hay dust, you can take coltsfoot grass, strings, and larkspur root.
A honey-salt compress helps relieve pain and inflammation. Honey in the required amount is mixed with salt, tampons are soaked in the mixture, they are applied to damaged joints, bandaged and left overnight. Warm clay with medicinal ingredients can be applied to inflamed joints; this product is sold in pharmacies. It is recommended to use brewed leaves from young birch internally. A decoction of birch leaves cleanses the blood and improves metabolic processes in the body.
Treatment of arthrosis of small joints is a long process that requires compliance with certain working conditions, vitamin complexes, and preventive medications throughout life.
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The symptomatic picture of arthrosis of the hands directly depends on the stage of advanced disease.
The first stage of the disease is practically asymptomatic for a long time. Periodic pain appears. It worsens briefly after intense physical exertion, then becomes almost unnoticeable or goes away altogether. During this period, the synovial membrane begins to collapse, and the periarticular muscles are gradually involved in the process.
The appearance of a rough and loud crunch, restriction of movement in the joint are signs that manifest the beginning of the second stage of the disease. The pain syndrome is already permanent, the pain becomes intense and disrupts the general condition of the person. Visible irregularities in the shape of the joint appear, the wrists as a whole become different in size, which is well illustrated by the photo.
In the third stage, the muscles lose their ability to contract and the ligaments become shorter. This makes movement very difficult and changes the axis of the fingers. The area above the bone joints becomes red and swollen, which only increases the rate of destruction of the joint.
Among the folk remedies for oral administration, a mixture of horseradish, calcined cottage cheese and natural honey is suitable. It is quite easy to prepare specific cottage cheese. It is necessary to add calcium chloride to 1 liter of milk, which is sold in every pharmacy and has a cheap price. The milk will immediately begin to turn into curd, but you need to give it time to set. Then all that remains is to drain it in a small colander or cheesecloth.
Take half a glass of freshly prepared apple juice daily. Sweet and sour apples are good. You need to drink at every meal. To prevent the destruction of tooth enamel, you need to brush your teeth immediately. Apple juice can be successfully replaced with apple cider vinegar. Three times a day you need to drink a glass of water with a spoon of vinegar.
Carefully compact dry wood lice into a container of any size and fill to the top with vodka. Leave for 2 weeks. For one dose, 1 full tablespoon, 3-4 daily, is enough.
Arthrosis of the interphalangeal joints of the hands is a chronic disease. It is impossible to completely recover from it, but contacting a traumatologist, orthopedist, or rheumatologist at the first symptoms of arthrosis will help stop the progression of destruction of cartilage tissue. Arthrosis of the small joints of the hands is a rare pathology. It is considered “female”, which is associated with hormonal imbalances during menopause.
The causes of destruction of the interphalangeal joints of the hands in primary arthrosis are:
For secondary arthrosis:
Depending on the manifestation and development of arthrosis of the small joints of the hands, there are 3 degrees of the disease: I, II and III. Each has its own characteristics. At stage I of arthrosis:
At stage II of arthrosis of small joints:
Stage III hand arthrosis:
Treatment of deforming arthrosis of the hands should begin with a consultation with a doctor who will develop an effective treatment regimen. The technique is determined by a specialist, but to make a diagnosis you will need to undergo the following examinations:
When prescribing drug treatment for arthrosis of small joints of the hands, the specialist must provide a wide range of effects, taking into account the stage of destruction of hyaline cartilage, the presence/absence of inflammatory processes, and the physiological characteristics of the patient’s body. The doctor determines the form of the drug (rectal suppositories; film-coated tablets; injections). Depending on the stage of arthrosis, different drugs are prescribed.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). They relieve pain well and reduce inflammation in the small joints of the hands. Depending on the main substance in the composition, the following drugs are found:
Drugs that dilate blood vessels - Teonicol or Trental. Necessary for improving blood flow, relieving spasmodic syndrome, treating circulatory disorders of the joint. It is not recommended for use by people with low blood pressure or bleeding.
Chondroprotectors are medications that restore damaged cartilage in the small joints of the hands. To see the real effect, a very long course of treatment is required - from 100 to 150 days a year with a six-month break for 3-4 years. Pharmacies offer both single preparations - Dona (Italy, glucosamine), Structum (France, chondroitin sulfate), and complex ones - Teraflex, Chondroitin Akos, Chondroxide, etc.
Ointments, creams, gels:
Injections into the interphalangeal joints of the hands. They are not always prescribed with reason, but the effectiveness of the effect is the highest of all drugs. For arthrosis, injections are used:
Classical medicine is aimed at treating the symptoms of arthrosis of the joints of the hands. A distinctive feature of homeopathy is the restoration of the entire body, its balance. Before prescribing, an experienced homeopathic doctor draws up an extensive picture of the patient’s condition, taking into account the time factor, the effects of heat, cold, weather changes, psycho-emotional mood, the influence of physiological factors, etc.
For the treatment of arthrosis of the joints of the hands with classical homeopathy, the following drugs are used:
Classical medicine borrowed the experience of homeopathy to treat arthrosis. The complex drug Heel, called Zeel T, relieves inflammation, relieves pain, and has the ability to stimulate the production of chondrocytes. In combination with Traumeel S ointment, the product effectively combats the destruction of small joints of the hands, regenerating tissue and reducing swelling.
In the treatment of arthrosis of the joints of the hands, local hand baths made of ozokerite show excellent results; paraffin wraps that stimulate increased blood flow and have a warming effect. After pain relief, doctors actively use physiotherapeutic procedures:
There are areas of medicine that help get rid of pain from arthrosis of the joints of the hands using non-traditional treatment methods:
Massage of small joints of the hands will help stimulate vascular blood flow in case of arthrosis, stop stagnation processes, and tissue atrophy. By doing the following exercises yourself, you will get rid of muscle spasms surrounding the collapsing joint:
Therapeutic exercises for the hands accelerate the movement of lymph, which contributes to the disappearance of swelling and inflammation. It strengthens muscles, prevents the fusion of bone tissue in the affected joint, and helps treat arthrosis. Suitable for this:
Properly organized nutrition, an abundance of microelements and vitamins in foods are a positive factor in the treatment of arthrosis of small joints of the hands. When choosing a diet, pay attention to the following points:
Traditional methods of treating arthrosis are effective if they complement properly selected medication and physiotherapeutic treatment. Warming compresses, baths, and rubbing sometimes work better than ointments, without causing allergic or chemical reactions. At the initial, first stage of arthrosis of the small joints of the hands, they will help you stop taking some medications, especially NSAIDs.
Here are some recipes for preparing decoctions for the treatment of arthrosis of small joints of the hands:
A massage using honey will help relieve pain, reduce spasms, improve skin condition, nourishing small joints damaged by arthrosis with useful substances and microelements. Rub the honey-salt mixture (5:1) into the knuckles with gentle circular movements. The massage procedure takes from 10 to 15 minutes. Then wrap the brushes in a cotton towel and leave for half an hour. Rinse off the composition.
Sanatorium-resort treatment is indicated for people suffering from arthrosis at least once a year. Small joints of the hands respond well to physiotherapeutic procedures, therapeutic exercises, and non-traditional methods. Limit the load associated with fine motor skills during your stay in the sanatorium. It’s good to undergo reflexology, put your nervous system in order.
The procedure for treating arthrosis of small joints of the hands is a long process, sometimes taking several years. The cost of drug therapy varies depending on:
To prevent the development of arthrosis of the small joints of the hands, adhere to the following recommendations:
Daily physical exercises aimed at enhancing the motor activity of the small joints of the hands are mandatory for the complex treatment of arthrosis. By performing them at least 2 times a day for 10-15 minutes, you take care of the health of your hands and the prevention of destruction of the interphalangeal cartilage. For this activity you will need small rubber balls. How to correctly perform a set of exercises for arthrosis, what to pay attention to, watch the video from YouTube:
In the early stages of the disease, degeneration of cartilage tissue occurs almost asymptomatically; pain and swelling, as well as deformation, occur already at stages 2-4. Therefore, treatment of arthrosis of small joints of the hands begins immediately with complex therapy, which includes not only the use of medications, but also physiotherapeutic, manual methods, gymnastics and massage.
Gymnastics for treating the problem in question is extremely simple and can be easily done at home on your own:
The following physiotherapeutic techniques also help well:
Massage helps restore joint nutrition and mobility. It consists of first warming up the surface of the skin being treated, increasing local blood circulation, and then thoroughly kneading the joint. You can perform similar procedures yourself, you just need to make sure that the massage does not cause attacks of pain.
The described section of medicine offers the following drugs to reduce the severity of the inflammatory process, pain, and restore the balance of the production of synovial fluid and cartilage tissue:
Before purchasing one or more of the listed remedies, it is important to consult with a professional homeopath so that the doctor assesses not only the degree of damage to the joints, but also the condition of the entire body.
When the pathological process is localized in the area under consideration, the same treatment regimen is used as for other types of arthrosis:
Conservative treatment works better and faster if combined with physiotherapy and manual intervention.