Osteoarthritis 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 in large joints.The disease often develops in old age.
Mechanism of disease development
Arthrosis begins with blood circulation disruption in the subchondral layer of the periosteum.For this reason, the nutrition of the cartilage deteriorates, loses its elasticity, becomes thinner, and cracks appear on it.The amount of synovial fluid decreases, the joints become inflamed due to strong friction.
Progressive arthrosis is very dangerous.If the treatment of arthrosis of the hand or foot is not started on time, the joints begin to take on unnatural, ugly shapes and may lose mobility.
The disease often occurs in women during menopause.Hormonal levels change in the female body and less estrogen is produced.Because of this, the body loses a lot of moisture, which makes the cartilage and joints more fragile.
Species
Depending on the location, arthrosis is of two types:
- joints of hands and fingers.
- small joints of the foot, big toe.
Arthrosis of the joints of the hands and fingers
Arthrosis of the hands often occurs among typists, pianists, programmers and secretaries.The disease affects the interphalangeal joints.With arthrosis of the fingers, joint tissues dry and crack.Small subcutaneous nodules are often seen in the joints of the hands.Usually they no longer disappear.
As the disease progresses, bone tissue becomes denser and growths appear on it.They cause severe pain when moving your fingers.In advanced cases, a person loses the ability to move hands and fingers.
Symptoms of the disease: creaking in the joints when moving the fingers, pain in the fingers after exercise, seals in the joints of the fingers, swelling of periarticular tissues.
Arthrosis of the foot joints
Ballerinas, dancers, gymnasts, wrestlers and jumpers are susceptible to arthrosis of the feet.The disease affects the joints of the toes.Bone rods appear in the small joints of the foot.Because of them, it is painful for a person to move his leg.As the disease progresses, the deformation of the joints becomes very noticeable and the person is practically unable to move the leg.
Osteoarthritis of the big toe is the most common type of arthrosis in the feet.When the disease occurs, a "bone" is formed in the area of the thumb joint.Osteoarthritis of the big toe occurs due to 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, a person limps and sleeps on the outer edge of the foot.
Causes of occurrence
Arthrosis can be primary or secondary.
Primary arthrosis appears due to problems with the cartilage tissue of the joint, namely:
- genetic disorders in the composition of joint cartilage tissue;
- joint hypermobility;
- dysplasia, flat feet, wide feet.
Secondary arthrosis is the result of joint damage and other diseases.Among its 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 the disease include:
- hereditary tendency;
- heavy physical labor, heavy load on finger joints;
- overweight, excessive alcohol consumption;
- wearing narrow high-heeled shoes without discomfort for a long time;
- sedentary lifestyle;
- hypothermia of the legs.
If your work often puts stress on the joints of your fingers and toes, or if you have relatives who suffer from arthrosis of small joints, you should think about prevention.We will talk about this at the end of the article.
Symptoms
Among the symptoms of arthrosis of the small joints of the foot, fingers and hands:
- pain in the hands and feet, which either subsides or reappears;
- moving your fingers or toes causes pain;
- the joints are swollen, bent and straightened with "creaking";
- tissues around the joint become inflamed;
- the shape of the joints changes - they become thicker, 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 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 occur near them.
- The second stage of arthrosis.The disease progresses, the pain becomes stronger and permanent.Moving your fingers causes pain.Heberden's and Bouchard's nodes are formed 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 arthrosis of small joints is the most serious.Fingers and toes are deformed and movement is almost impossible.The area around the affected joint becomes red and swollen.Sharp pain in the joints is felt not only during movement, but also during rest.A person walks with difficulty, going up and down stairs becomes difficult for him.
Diagnostics
If you notice signs of arthrosis of small joints, do not delay a visit to the orthopedist.The disease is treated at an early stage.In the second and third stages, one can only slow down its development.
A comprehensive examination will be required to diagnose arthrosis of the small joints.With its help, the doctor will determine the cause of the disease and prescribe an 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:
- MRI.Magnetic resonance imaging
- Ultrasound examination (ultrasound)
- Densitometry
- Electrocardiogram (ECG)
- Daily ECG monitoring
- Comprehensive medical examination of the body (check-up)
- Bioimpedance analysis of the body as part of the "Smart Slimming" 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 main doctor prescribes an individual course of treatment for the patient, taking into account the cause of arthrosis, condition, age, sex and characteristics of the patient's body.Treatment of arthrosis of the small joints of the feet, hands and fingers will take a maximum of one and a half months.The patient undergoes procedures 2-3 times a week.After the first week of treatment, the pain in your joints will disappear.The treatment course consists of the following procedures:
- Percussion-vibration therapy in the device
- High intensity magnetic therapy
- Isometric kinesiotherapy using the Pilates method
- Resonance wave UHF therapy
- Fermatron injections
Treatment of arthrosis of small joints in clinics eliminates pain and inflammation in the joints.The patient's blood circulation and cartilage nutrition are improved, the destruction of cartilage tissue and joints is stopped.Our doctor will advise you on what you can do on your own to prevent the disease.
Prevention
In a health seminar, doctors recommend avoiding joint problems:
- more walking, running, swimming, water aerobics, skiing;
- do not overcool;
- monitor your weight;
- avoid joint injuries;
- walk in comfortable shoes.
When it comes to 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 low-fat and fried meat, sugar, chocolate, coffee, cookies;
- to give up smoking and alcohol;
- drink at least two liters of water a day.
Therapeutic massage
Do the following exercises to prevent arthrosis of the hands and fingers:
- Rub your palms together.
- Rub the fingers of one hand with the fingers of the other first from the base to the nail and in the opposite direction.
- Bend and straighten your fingers 10 times without clenching them into a fist.
- Press your palms tightly and squeeze the fingers of one hand into the fingers of the other.
- Separate your palms and continue to press your fingers together.