Osteoarthritis of small joints is a disease that destroys the cartilage layer between joints.The disease affects the joints of the hands, fingers and feet.Osteoarthritis of small joints is less common than that of large joints.The disease often develops at an advanced age.
Mechanism of development of the disease
Osteoarthritis 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 elasticity, becomes thinner and cracks appear.The amount of synovial fluid decreases, due to the strong friction the joints become inflamed.
Progressive arthrosis is very dangerous.If treatment of arthrosis of the hand or foot is not started on time, the joints begin to take on unnatural and ugly shapes and may lose mobility.
The disease often occurs in women during menopause.Hormone levels change in the female 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:
- joints of the hands and fingers.
- small joints of the foot, big toe.
Osteoarthritis of the joints of the hands and fingers
Osteoarthritis of the hands is often found among typists, pianists, programmers and secretaries.The disease affects the interphalangeal joints.With arthritis of the fingers, the joint tissues dry out and crack.Small subcutaneous nodules often appear in the joints of the hands.They usually never disappear again.
As the disease progresses, the bone tissue becomes denser and growths appear on it.They cause severe pain when moving the fingers.In advanced cases, a person loses the ability to move their hand and fingers.
Symptoms of the disease: crunching of the joints when moving the fingers, pain in the fingers after exercise, seals on the joints of the fingers, swelling of the periarticular tissues.
Osteoarthritis of the foot joints
Ballerinas, ballet dancers, gymnasts, wrestlers and jumpers are prone to osteoarthritis of the feet.The disease affects the joints of the toes.Bone spurs appear on the small joints of the foot.Because of them, it is painful for a person to move his foot.As the disease progresses, the deformation of the joints becomes very noticeable and the person is practically unable to move the foot.
Osteoarthritis of the big toe is the most common type of osteoarthritis of the feet.When the disease occurs, a "bone" is formed in the area of \u200b\u200bthe thumb joint.Osteoarthritis of the big toe occurs due to wearing tight shoes.
Symptoms of foot arthrosis: pain in the foot after physical activity, creaking of the joints during movement, increase in the size of the joints.When walking, a person limps and rests on the outer edge of the foot.
Causes of onset
Osteoarthritis can be primary or secondary.
Primary arthrosis appears due to problems with the cartilaginous tissue of the joint, namely:
- genetic disorders in the composition of articular cartilage tissue;
- joint hypermobility;
- dysplasia, flat feet, wide feet.
Secondary osteoarthritis is the result of joint damage and other diseases.Among his reasons:
- injuries, microtraumatization of the 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 the disease include:
- hereditary predisposition;
- heavy physical work, heavy load on the joints of the fingers;
- overweight, excessive alcohol consumption;
- long-term wearing of uncomfortable and narrow high-heeled shoes;
- sedentary lifestyle;
- hypothermia of the feet.
If your job often puts strain on the joints of your fingers and toes, or you have relatives who suffer from osteoarthritis of the small joints, you should think about prevention.We'll talk about it at the end of the article.
Symptoms
Among the signs of arthrosis of the small joints of the foot, fingers and hands:
- pain in hands and feet, subsides or recurs;
- moving your fingers or toes causes pain;
- the joints swell, bend and straighten with a “creaking” sound;
- the tissues surrounding the joint become inflamed;
- the shape of the joints changes: they thicken, Heberden and Bouchard's nodes appear;
- The sensitivity of the fingertips decreases.
Stages of small joint arthritis
There are three stages of the disease.
- The first stage of the disease is accompanied by periodic pain in the joints of the fingers or toes during active movement or work.The pain disappears after rest.Joints may begin to crack and swelling may form near them.
- Second stage of arthrosis.The disease progresses, the pain intensifies and becomes constant.Moving your 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 small joint arthritis is the most serious.The fingers and toes become deformed and are 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 person walks with difficulty, going up and down the stairs becomes a challenge for him.
Diagnostics
If you notice symptoms of osteoarthritis of small joints, do not delay a visit to an orthopedist.The disease is treatable at an early stage.In the second and third stages you can only slow down its development.
To diagnose arthrosis of small joints, a comprehensive study will be necessary.With its help, the doctor will determine the cause of the disease and prescribe effective treatment.The initial appointment is carried out by neurologists and orthopedists.They accurately diagnose arthrosis of the joints of the hands and feet using the following methods:
- magnetic resonance imaging.Magnetic resonance imaging
- Ultrasound examination (ultrasound)
- Densitometry
- Electrocardiogram (ECG)
- Daily ECG monitoring
- Full body medical examination (check-up)
- Bioimpedance analysis of the body as part of the "Smart Weight Loss" program.
- Laboratory research
How we treat osteoarthritis of small joints
An integrated approach is the best way to deal with the disease.Our doctors treat osteoarthritis of small joints with non-surgical methods.They stop the development of the disease and heal the body as a whole.
The general practitioner prescribes an individual course of treatment for the patient, taking into account the cause of arthrosis, the condition, age, gender and characteristics of the patient's body.Treatment of arthrosis of the small joints of the foot, hands and fingers will take a maximum of 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-vibration therapy on the device
- High intensity magnetotherapy
- Isometric kinesitherapy with the Pilates method
- UHF resonance wave therapy
- Fermatron injections
Treatment of arthrosis of small joints in clinics relieves pain and inflammation in the joints.The patient's blood circulation and cartilage nutrition are improved, and the destruction of cartilage tissue and joints is stopped.Our doctor will advise you what you can do yourself to prevent the disease.
Prevention
The doctors at the Officina della Salute recommend avoiding joint problems:
- walk more, run, swim, do water aerobics, ski;
- do not overcool;
- monitor your weight;
- avoid joint injuries;
- walk with comfortable shoes.
When it comes to nutrition, we recommend sticking to the following principles:
- eat more avocados, grapefruits, kiwis;
- limit the consumption of tomatoes and legumes;
- include cartilage, gelatin, garlic in the diet;
- eat less fatty and fried meat, sugar, chocolate, coffee, biscuits;
- quit smoking and alcohol;
- drink at least two liters of water a day.
Therapeutic massage
To prevent arthrosis of the hands and fingers, perform the following exercises:
- Rub your palms together.
- Rub the fingers of one hand with those 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 tightly and press the fingers of one hand onto the fingers of the other.
- Separate your palms and continue to press your fingers together.