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 large joints.The disease often develops in old age.
Mechanism of disease development
Arthrosis begins with an interruption of blood circulation in the subchondral layer of the periosteum.Because of this, the nutrition of the cartilage deteriorates, loses elasticity, becomes thinner and cracks appear on it.The amount of synovial fluid decreases, due to strong friction, the joints become inflamed.
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 appears 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 cartilage and joints more fragile.
The types
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 is often found in typists, pianists, programmers and secretaries.The disease affects the interphalangeal joints.With arthrosis of the fingers, the tissues of the joints 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 you move your fingers.In advanced cases, a 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, seals in the joints of the fingers, swelling of the periarticular tissues.
Arthrosis of the leg joints
Ballerinas, dancers, gymnasts, wrestlers and jumpers are susceptible to foot arthrosis.The disease affects the joints of the fingers.Bone spurs 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 is very visible, and the person is practically unable to move the leg.
Osteoarthritis of the big toe is the most common type of arthrosis in the foot.When the disease appears, a "bone" is formed in the area of the big toe 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, cracking in the joints when moving, an increase in the size of the joints.When walking, a 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 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 predisposition;
- heavy physical work, heavy load on finger joints;
- overweight, excessive alcohol consumption;
- long-term wearing of uncomfortable tight shoes with high heels;
- sedentary lifestyle;
- hypothermia of the legs.
If your work often stresses the joints of the fingers and toes, or if you have relatives suffering from arthrosis of the small joints, you should think about prevention.We will talk about this at the end of the article.
Symptoms
Among the signs of arthrosis of the small joints of the foot, fingers and hands:
- pains in the hands and feet, they either subside or arise again;
- moving the fingers or feet causes pain;
- joints swell, bend and straighten with a "chew";
- the tissues surrounding the joint become inflamed;
- the shape of the nodes 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 pain in the joints of the fingers or feet during movement or active work.The pain subsides after rest.The joints may begin to crack and swelling may develop near them.
- 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 joint.Their appearance is accompanied by burning and pain.After a few months, the redness and swelling disappear and the joints become firm.
- The third stage of arthrosis of small joints is the most severe.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 joint is felt not only during movement, but also at rest.A person walks with difficulty, going up and down stairs becomes a challenge for him.
Diagnosing
If you notice symptoms of arthrosis of small joints, do not delay a visit to an orthopedist.The disease is curable 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 required.With his 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:
- MRI.Magnetic resonance imaging
- Ultrasound examination (ultrasound)
- Densitometry
- Electrocardiogram (ECG)
- Daily ECG monitoring
- Comprehensive medical examination of the body (check-up)
- Body bioimpedance analysis 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 using 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, gender and characteristics of the patient's body.Treatment of arthrosis of the small joints of the foot, hands and fingers will last a maximum of one and a half months.The patient undergoes procedures 2-3 times a week.Your joint pain will go away after the first week of treatment.The course of treatment consists of the following procedures:
- Device shock-vibration therapy
- High Intensity Magnetic Therapy
- Isometric kinesiotherapy using 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 on what you can do yourself to prevent the disease.
Preventing
Doctors at the Health Workshop advise to avoid joint problems:
- walk more, run, swim, water aerobics, skiing;
- don't get too cold;
- monitor your weight;
- avoid joint injuries;
- walk in comfortable shoes.
When it comes to food, 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 clenching into a fist.
- Press your palms firmly together and press the fingers of one hand over the fingers of the other.
- Separate your palms and continue to press your fingers against each other.