Pain in the finger during flexion is a fairly common phenomenon, which occurs mainly in older people. Diseases worsen the quality of life, since with the aggravation of the pathology it is difficult to perform the usual functions.
That is why if you experience pain, stiffness and problems with joint mobility, you need to visit a doctor for diagnosis and subsequent treatment.
Causes of pain
Many are interested, if there is pain in the finger during flexion, what it can be and what diseases and pathologies such manifestations indicate. With age or under the influence of various kinds of factors, negative permanent effects occur in the joints. This leads to numbness, discomfort. To get rid of the existing problem, it is necessary to correctly determine the cause of the pain when the fingers are bent and to eliminate the source of the lesion. Such a violation can occur as a result of pathologies and diseases such as:
- arthritis;
- sepsis;
- osteomyelitis;
- pathological dislocation;
- gout;
- osteoarthrosis.
It is very important to accurately determine the main cause of the occurrence of such a violation, since the feature of the treatment largely depends on this.
Inflammatory processes
If there is pain in the finger during flexion, what it can be and what problems it indicates, you definitely need to know, since the treatment feature depends on it in many respects. This is mainly due to the occurrence of inflammatory processes, in particular, such as:
- arthritis;
- bursitis;
- osteomyelitis;
- rheumatism.
Arthritis is an acute or chronic disease of the joints and adjacent areas. Characteristic signs are severe pain in the finger during flexion, swelling, crunching, limited mobility, fever.
Rheumatoid arthritis affects mainly small joints. It occurs at any age and manifests itself in the form of redness, swelling, hot skin in the affected area. Dense nodules are felt under the skin. Severe pain in the finger during flexion greatly restricts movement, which does not even allow you to bend your hand in a fist. The symmetry of the lesion is characteristic. Mostly painful sensations appear at night and in the morning.
Psoriatic arthritis refers to one of the manifestations of psoriasis. It is characterized by an inflammatory process that occurs immediately in all joints of the fingers, often near the nail phalanges. It is characteristic for him that the joints are elongated, deformed, and a swelling of the affected area is also observed. There is pain in the finger during flexion and extension.
Infectious and septic arthritis occurs when infected with viruses and bacteria. In addition, the defeat can be in the case of injury, sepsis. Such arthritis can damage one or several joints at once and it depends on the severity of the course of the disease. Among the characteristic signs, acute pain, as well as an increase in temperature, should be highlighted. Running arthritis manifests itself in the form of chills, severe intoxication, and fever.
Gouty arthritis occurs as a result of the deposition of salts in the articular tissues, which provokes severe pain when the thumb is bent. Then the pathology can spread to other joints. The affected area becomes edematous. An acute attack lasts for several weeks and manifests itself in the form of acute, burning pain, severe swelling and a local increase in temperature.
Osteomyelitis is a purulent-necrotic process in the joints and bone tissue. The disease can be triggered by pathogens. Symptoms appear almost immediately after the lesion and appear as sharp pain when the index finger is bent, and then the pathological process spreads to adjacent joints. As the disease develops, swelling is observed, a venous pattern forms on the skin, and at the same time, finger movements are somewhat limited.
Rheumatism is an infectious-inflammatory disease. Often, it is a complication of angina and may be accompanied by pathologies in the heart. Among the main symptoms, sharp pains in the finger, impaired mobility, swelling of the joints should be highlighted. In addition, there may be an increase in temperature and a rash on the skin.
Non-inflammatory processes
Pain during flexion of the fingers may be due to non-infectious processes in the body. Among such diseases, it is necessary to distinguish such as:
- osteoarthrosis;
- osteochondrosis;
- neuropathy.
Osteoarthrosis is a non-inflammatory pathology that leads to joint deformation. A similar disease leads to the destruction of articular cartilage. A similar manifestation is observed in women older than 50 years, as this is associated with a decrease in estrogen levels. Among the main reasons, it is necessary to highlight metabolic disorders, heavy loads, genetic predisposition.
This disease is characterized by the formation of nodules and edema under the skin, which eventually leads to deformation of the joints of the fingers. The movement is limited and runs with a crunch. Basically, there is pain in the fingers during flexion in the morning, as well as during exertion. Initially, discomfort is felt in the area of one joint, and then spreads to all fingers.
Cervical osteochondrosis is a disease characterized by dystrophic changes in the cervical spine, which provokes the deformation of the cartilage tissue and, as a result, the compression of nerve endings. Among the main signs, the presence of sharp, cutting pains should be noted.
Ulnar neuropathy occurs when a wrist joint is injured. As a result of the pathology, the joints of the fingers begin to hurt. If whitening of the fingertips joins the discomfort, then this may indicate the occurrence of Raynaud's syndrome.
Injuries
Often there is severe pain in the finger when flexing after a bruise and other types of injuries, in particular such as:
- dislocation;
- vibration disease;
- tunnel syndrome.
Dislocation of the finger is a very common manifestation that leads to pain in the fingers. Often there is a dislocation of the thumb. This is determined by bulging the phalanx from the joint, sharp pain, redness of the skin and a rise in temperature.
Vibration disease is a professional disorder. It has several stages of development. At the initial stage, finger pain, tingling, numbness periodically appears.
Then the vibrational sensitivity gradually decreases, the tone of the vessels changes, and the sensitivity deteriorates somewhat. Additionally, signs of vegetative-vascular dystonia are added. In the third stage, pain and sensory disturbance appear in the form of seizures, as well as vascular spasms and whitening of the fingers.
Tunnel syndrome is a professional pathological condition that mainly occurs during prolonged work at the computer. It manifests itself in the form of pain in the joints of the index finger.
Other reasons
There are also a number of other factors that provoke the occurrence of pain when the fingers of the left hand are bent, in particular, such as:
- infections
- joint load;
- injuries
- hormonal and metabolic disorders;
- heart diseases;
- stress;
- injuries
- genetic predisposition.
Stiffness in the morning, finger pain, and swelling indicate the onset of joint disease, which can be determined by a comprehensive examination. Pregnancy and the postpartum state can provoke pain and swelling of the joints.
This indicates joint diseases, calcium deficiency, pinched nerve endings. Finger pain may appear after exercise. Additionally, numbness, cramps and rapid fatigue may appear.
Diagnostics
When there is sharp pain when the fingers of the left hand or the right hand are bent, you must definitely go to the hospital, pass the required tests and undergo the recommended examinations in order to receive qualified help from specialists. Depending on the cause of the disease, its characteristic features and the complexity of the course, it may be necessary to consult specialists such as:
- rheumatologist;
- surgeon;
- neuropathologist;
- traumatologist;
- hematologist.
Pain during flexion of the thumb prevents full human life. To establish the cause of the disease, you need to go through a number of laboratory tests. Comprehensive diagnostics will determine the cause of discomfort and choose the most effective treatment methods. To make a diagnosis, doctors basically prescribe a number of laboratory tests, in particular, such as:
- general and biochemical blood analysis;
- Analysis of urine;
- additional studies to determine the content of uric acid.
For a complete diagnosis, you must undergo a number of special medical examinations. To determine the main cause of the onset of pain and to choose the most suitable treatment method, you need to undergo ultrasound, MRI, CT.
A painless and informative procedure is radiography. It helps to determine the presence of tumors, injuries, fractures and many other injuries. The disadvantage of this procedure is the inability to assess the general condition and possible damage to soft tissues, so an additional ultrasound diagnosis will be required.
An ultrasound scan will help determine the presence of inflammation in the tissues and establish the existing pathological consequences of the injury. If numbness of the hands is often observed, then an ultrasound scan will help determine circulatory disorders.
With constant severe pain in the joints, the doctor may additionally prescribe a puncture. This is a small operation, which implies a puncture of the synovial membrane and fluid sampling for analysis.
If you suspect scleroderma, psoriasis, lupus erythematosus, reticulosis, the doctor may prescribe a skin biopsy.
Treatment features
In the presence of pain in the fingers during flexion, treatment must necessarily be aimed at eliminating the causes that provoked such a violation. To eliminate the painful manifestations in almost all diseases, anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed, which act as analgesics and eliminate inflammation. These drugs include:
- "Nimesil";
- Diclofenac
- Ibuprofen
- "Indomethacin."
In addition, corticosteroids can be prescribed that are injected directly into the joint bag. If the inflammation is not very strong and the pain is moderate, then local painkillers with anti-inflammatory and analgesic qualities can be prescribed. With degenerative-dystrophic changes, therapy is prescribed with the help of chondroprotectors.
Also, physiotherapy can be prescribed as auxiliary methods. It helps to restore joint mobility after drug therapy. The use of alternative methods has a very good result, however, these funds are used as auxiliary and require prior consultation with a doctor.
Drug therapy
After performing a comprehensive examination, the doctor prescribes treatment with medications. When taking medication, you must strictly follow the instructions and instructions of the doctor, as this will avoid overdose and the occurrence of side effects or allergies.
Anti-inflammatory drugs are initially prescribed. They help reduce the intensity of pain, eliminate inflammation, swelling, and also normalize general well-being. Chondroprotectors contribute to faster restoration of cartilage, thereby avoiding aggravation of the disease and the occurrence of relapse. In particular, such drugs as Structum, Glucosamine, Don, Chondroitin are prescribed.
Corticosteroids have an anti-inflammatory effect, normalize metabolism, which contributes to a much faster recovery of affected tissues. Such drugs include Dexamethasone, Prednisolone, Metipred.
Strengthen the effects of medications will help special ointments. They accelerate the absorption of active components in the tissue.
Physiotherapeutic Techniques
For pain in the fingers during flexion, treatment is also carried out using physiotherapeutic techniques. These include magnetotherapy, electrophoresis, UHF, phonophoresis, amplipulse therapy, laser treatment. The doctor determines the number of sessions and the course of therapy purely individually.
To restore joint mobility, normalize metabolic processes and blood circulation, massage and therapeutic exercises are required. During the period of remission, it is recommended to conduct balneotherapy and manual therapy sessions. A very good result is provided by spa treatment. In addition, it is recommended to lead a healthy lifestyle, stop drinking alcohol and smoking, and follow a special diet.
Folk techniques
If there is pain in the finger during flexion, treatment with folk remedies has a very good result, however, before using them, you should consult your doctor to prevent the development of complications. With an exacerbation of inflammation, a gauze towel soaked in table or apple vinegar can be applied to the affected joint. This will help reduce burning sensation, pain and swelling.
A special role in eliminating inflammation and pain is played by compresses made on the basis of natural components. To prepare them, you can crush the boiled potatoes, wrap in gauze and apply to the affected area. The same effect has ordinary salt, preheated in a pan. Dry heat helps eliminate pain and reduce inflammation. Steamed oatmeal can be used as a compress.
Decoctions and infusions of medicinal herbs have a pronounced anti-inflammatory property, help normalize blood circulation and restore the mobility of the affected joints. Very well helps the infusion of lilac, which must be prepared in the spring. To do this, collect lilac flowers, pour them with vodka or alcohol and leave to infuse for 3 weeks in a dark place.
Inside, you can consume tea from berries and leaves of lingonberry. You need to drink it 2 times a day for 1 glass. A good result is an ointment prepared on the basis of propolis. To do this, mix it with vegetable oil and rub the mixture every day. Inside, you can also consume birch sap.
It is worth remembering that treatment with folk methods of pain in the fingers during flexion should be carried out only with the permission of the doctor.
Prophylaxis
A very important role is played by the prevention of the onset of pain. To do this, take the following preventative measures:
- avoid injuries;
- Do not carry heaviness;
- change the usual diet;
- monitor your weight;
- refuse to drink alcohol.
If you have to sit at a computer for a long time, try to take frequent, but short breaks in work. During rest, you need to warm up your wrists and hands. If minor finger pains appear, it is important to try to minimize physical activity.