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.
The mechanism of disease development
Arthrosis begins with a disturbance of blood circulation in the subchondral layer of the periosteum.Because of this, the nutrition of the cartilage deteriorates, it loses its elasticity, it becomes thinner, and cracks appear on it.The amount of synovial fluid decreases, and the joints become inflamed due to the strong friction.
Progressive arthrosis is very dangerous.If the treatment of arthrosis of the hands or feet is not started in time, the joints take on an unnatural, ugly shape 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 fragile.
Species
Depending on the location, there are two types of arthrosis:
- joints of hands and fingers.
- the small joints of the foot, the big toe.
Arthrosis of the joints of the hand and fingers
Arthrosis of the hands is often found among typists, pianists, programmers and secretaries.The disease affects the interphalangeal joints.With arthrosis of the fingers, the joint tissues dry out and crack.Small nodules often appear subcutaneously in the joints of the hand.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: crackling in the joints when moving the fingers, pain in the fingers after exercise, sealing of the joints of the fingers, swelling of the periarticular tissues.
Arthrosis of the joints of the foot
Ballerinas, dancers, gymnasts, wrestlers and jumpers are prone to foot arthrosis.The disease affects the joints of the toes.Bone spurs appear on the small joints of the foot.They make it painful to move your legs.As the disease progresses, the deformation of the joints becomes very noticeable, and the person practically cannot move his legs.
Big toe osteoarthritis is the most common type of foot arthrosis.When the disease occurs, a "bone" forms in the area of the thumb joint.Big toe osteoarthritis occurs due to wearing tight shoes.
Symptoms of arthrosis of the foot: leg pain after physical exertion, creaking of the joints when moving, increase in the size of the joints.When walking, the person limps and rests on the outer edge of the foot.
Causes of occurrence
Arthrosis can be primary or secondary.
Primary arthrosis occurs due to problems with the articular cartilage tissue, namely:
- genetic abnormalities 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.The reasons for this include:
- injuries, microtraumatization of joints;
- acute and chronic arthritis, synovitis;
- metabolic disorders, lack of calcium, phosphorus and other minerals;
- gout, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis;
- diabetes and other diseases of the endocrine system.
Risk factors
Risk factors for the disease include:
- hereditary predisposition;
- heavy physical work, heavy load on the finger joints;
- overweight, excessive alcohol consumption;
- wearing uncomfortable tight, high-heeled shoes for a long time;
- sedentary lifestyle;
- hypothermia of the foot.
If your work often stresses the joints of the fingers and toes, or if you have relatives who suffer from arthrosis of the small joints, it is worth thinking about 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:
- pain in the hands and feet, which either subside or recur;
- moving fingers or toes causes pain;
- joints swell, bend and straighten with a "pop";
- the tissues surrounding the joint become inflamed;
- the shape of the joints changes - they thicken, Heberden and Bouchard nodes appear;
- The sensitivity of the fingertips decreases.
Stages of arthrosis of small joints
The disease has three stages.
- The first stage of the disease is accompanied by periodic pain in the joints of the fingers or toes during active movement or work.After rest, the pain subsides.Joints may crack and swelling may develop 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 nodules develop in the joints.Their appearance is accompanied by burning and pain.After a few months, the redness and swelling will disappear, and the nodules will harden.
- The third stage of small joint arthrosis is the most serious.The fingers and toes are deformed and it is almost impossible to move them.The area around the affected joint becomes red and swollen.Sharp pain in the joints can be felt not only during movement, but also at rest.The person has difficulty walking, going up and down the stairs is a challenge for him.
Diagnostics
If you notice symptoms of arthrosis of the small joints, do not delay the visit to the orthopedist.It can be cured in the early stages of the disease.In the second and third stages, you can only slow down your progress.
A comprehensive examination will be required to diagnose arthrosis of small joints.With its help, the doctor determines the cause of the disease and prescribes an effective treatment.The first appointment is made by neurologists and orthopedists.Arthrosis of the joints of the hands and feet is accurately diagnosed using the following methods:
- MRI.Magnetic resonance imaging
- Ultrasound examination (ultrasound)
- Densitometry
- Electrocardiogram (ECG)
- Daily ECG monitoring
- Comprehensive medical examination of the body (checkup)
- Body bioimpedance analysis as part of the "smart weight loss" program
- Laboratory research
How to treat arthrosis of small joints
An integrated approach is the best way to treat 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 treatment for the patient, taking into account the cause of arthrosis, its condition, age, gender and the characteristics of the patient's body.Treatment of arthrosis of the small joints of the feet, hands and fingers takes up to one and a half months.The patient takes part in procedures 2-3 times a week.The joint pain disappears during the first week of treatment.The treatment process consists of the following procedures:
- Percussion-vibration therapy on the device
- High intensity magnetic therapy
- Isometric kinesiotherapy using the Pilates method
- Resonance wave UHF therapy
- Fermatron injections
Clinical treatment of arthrosis of small joints relieves joint pain and inflammation.The patient's blood circulation and cartilage nutrition improve, and the destruction of cartilage tissues and joints stops.Our attending physician will advise you on what you can do on your own to prevent the disease.
Prevention
Doctors at the Health Workshop advise to avoid joint problems:
- walk more, run, swim, water aerobics, ski;
- do not overcool;
- watch your weight;
- avoid joint injuries;
- walking in comfortable shoes.
Regarding nutrition, we recommend following the following principles:
- eat more avocado, grapefruit, kiwi;
- limit the consumption of tomatoes and legumes;
- include cartilage, gelatin, garlic in your diet;
- eat less fatty and fried meat, sugar, chocolate, coffee, cookies;
- stop 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 from the base towards the nail and then in the opposite direction.
- Bend and straighten your fingers ten times without making a fist.
- Press your palms together tightly and press the fingers of one hand over the fingers of the other.
- Separate your palms and continue to press your fingers together.