Arthrosis of the small joints is a disease that destroys the layer of cartilage 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 a disruption of blood circulation in the subchondral layer of the periosteum.Because of this, the nutrition of the cartilage deteriorates, it loses its elasticity, becomes thinner and cracks appear on it.The amount of synovial fluid decreases, due to strong friction, inflammation of the joints occurs.
Progressive arthrosis is very dangerous.If the treatment of arthrosis of the hand or foot is not started in time, the joints begin to take on unnatural, ugly shapes and may lose mobility.
The disease often occurs in women during menopause.Hormone levels change in a woman's body and less estrogen is produced.Because of this, the body loses a lot of moisture, which makes cartilage and joints more fragile.
Species
Depending on the location, arthrosis is of two types:
- hand and finger joints.
- small joints of the foot, big toe.
Arthrosis of the joints of the hands and fingers
Hand arthrosis is often found in typists, pianists, programmers and secretaries.The disease affects the interphalangeal joints.In arthrosis of the fingers, joint tissues dry out and crack.Small subcutaneous nodules often appear in the joints of the hands.They usually don't disappear anymore.
As the disease progresses, bone tissue becomes denser and growths 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: creaking in the joints when moving the fingers, pain in the fingers after exercise, seal on the finger joints, swelling of the periarticular tissue.
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 joints of the feet.Because of them, it is painful for a person to move his foot.As the disease progresses, the deformation of the joints is very noticeable, and the person practically cannot move the foot.
Osteoarthritis of the big toe is the most common type of foot arthrosis.When the disease occurs, a "bone" is formed in the area of the thumb joint.Osteoarthritis of the big toe is caused by wearing tight shoes.
Symptoms of arthrosis of the foot: pain in the foot after physical activity, creaking in the joints when moving, increase in the size of the joints.When walking, the person limps and leans on the outer edge of the foot.
Causes of occurrence
Arthrosis can be primary and secondary.
Primary arthrosis occurs due to problems with the cartilage tissue of the joint, namely:
- genetic disorders in the composition of articular cartilage tissue;
- joint hypermobility;
- dysplasia, flat feet, wide feet.
Secondary arthrosis is the result of joint damage and other diseases.Among his reasons:
- injuries, microtraumatization of joints;
- acute and chronic arthritis, synovitis;
- metabolic disorders, lack of calcium, phosphorus and other minerals;
- gout, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis;
- diabetes mellitus and other diseases of the endocrine system.
Risk factors
Risk factors for developing the disease include:
- hereditary predisposition;
- hard physical work, heavy load on finger joints;
- overweight, excessive alcohol consumption;
- long-term wearing of uncomfortable tight shoes with a high heel;
- sedentary lifestyle;
- foot hypothermia.
If your work often puts stress on the joints of the fingers and toes, or you have relatives who suffer from arthrosis of the small joints, consider prevention.We will talk about it at the end of the article.
Symptoms
Among the signs of arthrosis of the small joints of the feet, fingers and hands:
- pains in the hands and feet, either disappearing or returning;
- moving fingers or toes causes pain;
- joints swell, bend and straighten with a "crunch";
- the tissues surrounding the joint become 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 pains in the joints of the fingers or toes during active movement or work.The pain goes away after rest.Joints may begin to crack, and swelling may form nearby.
- The second stage of arthrosis.The disease progresses, the pain intensifies and becomes constant.Moving the fingers causes pain.Heberden's and Bouchard's nodes form in the joints.Their appearance is accompanied by burning and pain.After a few months, the redness and swelling disappear, and the nodules become hard.
- The third stage of arthrosis of small joints is the most difficult.Fingers and toes become deformed and almost impossible to move.The area around the affected joint becomes red and swollen.Sharp pain in the joints is felt not only during movement, but also at rest.A man has difficulty walking, climbing and descending stairs becomes a challenge for him.
Diagnostics
If you notice symptoms of arthrosis of the small joints, do not delay the visit to the orthopedist.The disease is curable in the early stages.In the second and third stages, you can only slow down its development.
A comprehensive study will be required to diagnose arthrosis of the small joints.With his help, the doctor will determine the cause of the disease and prescribe effective treatment.The first examination is performed by neurologists and orthopedists.They accurately diagnose arthrosis of the joints of the hands and feet using the following methods:
- MRI.Magnetic resonance
- Ultrasound examination (ultrasound)
- Densitometry
- electrocardiogram (ECG)
- Daily ECG monitoring
- Comprehensive medical examination of the body (control)
- Bioimpedance analysis of the body as part of the "Smart Weight Loss" program.
- Laboratory research
How we treat arthrosis of small joints
An integrated approach is the best way to deal with the disease.Our doctors treat arthrosis of small 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 characteristics of the patient's body.Treatment of arthrosis of the small joints of the feet, hands and fingers lasts at most one and a half months.The patient undergoes procedures 2-3 times a week.Joint pain will disappear after the first week of treatment.The course of treatment consists of the following procedures:
- Percussion and vibration therapy on the device
- High intensity magnetic therapy
- Isometric kinesiotherapy using the Pilates method
- Resonant wave UHF therapy
- Fermatron injections
Treatment of arthrosis of small joints in clinics relieves pain and inflammation in the joints.The patient's circulation and cartilage nutrition are improved, and the destruction of cartilage tissue and joints is stopped.Our doctor will advise you on what you can do yourself to prevent the disease.
Prevention
Doctors at the Health Workshop advise you to avoid joint problems:
- walk more, run, swim, water aerobics, skiing;
- don't get too cold;
- track your weight;
- avoid joint injuries;
- walk in comfortable shoes.
When it comes to nutrition, we recommend that you adhere to the following principles:
- eat more avocado, grapefruit, kiwi;
- limit the consumption of tomatoes and legumes;
- include cartilage, gelatin, garlic in your 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 the hands and fingers, do the following exercises:
- Rub your palms together.
- Rub the fingers of one hand with the fingers of the other, first in the direction from the base to the nail and in the opposite direction.
- Bend and straighten your fingers 10 times without making a fist.
- Press your palms together firmly and press the fingers of one hand onto the fingers of the other.
- Separate your palms and continue to press your fingers together.