The most functionally active parts of the body are, of course, the fingers. Without them, it is impossible to perform simple actions, for example, to raise an object or write a word. And so there is nothing worse than a situation where the joint of the finger hurts. This not only causes discomfort, but also creates a real problem. After all, a painful joint can significantly limit a person’s activity, therefore it is necessary to immediately seek medical help.
So, when do the joints of the fingers hurt?
Causes of Pain
Joint pain may indicate any developing disease. And in order to correctly diagnose, it is necessary to correctly characterize these sensations. The intensity of pain, its location and duration are important. Attention is also drawn to the accompanying symptoms. The main reasons that a finger joint pain is the following:
- rheumatoid arthritis;
- risartrosis;
- osteomyelitis;
- gout;
- septic arthritis;
- polyosteoarthrosis;
- stenosing ligamentitis.
Why do finger joints hurt?
Very often, when a pain syndrome occurs in the area of the joints of the fingers, a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis is made. This very serious disease is characterized by cartilage deformation. Also, with palpation under the skin directly on the joint, you can feel dense nodules. Pain of moderate severity can be observed both constantly and periodically. With rare exceptions, the pathological process develops symmetrically on both limbs.
Another disease associated with damage to the joints of the fingers of the hands is gout. This disease was known in the Middle Ages. With this diagnosis, deposits of salts in the joints are noted. As a result, the patient has swelling and redness in the area of the phalanges of the fingers. This leads to a partial restriction of joint mobility.
Often the cause of a joint pain in the finger is rhizarthrosis. This disease is not uncommon. It is detected in people whose profession is associated with a heavy load on the thumb. Rhizarthrosis is also characterized by a pronounced deformation of the bone and cartilage, which is clearly visible even without a special x-ray examination.
Infectious (septic) arthritis is caused by pathogenic microorganisms. Developing inflammation is very discomfort and provokes pain in the phalanges. The disease is almost always accompanied by fever, headache, weakness and fatigue. As a rule, septic arthritis is a complication after a viral respiratory infection, most often the flu.
Joint of the thumb hurts - what should I do?
If there is a pain in the joints of the phalanges, you must immediately consult a therapist. There are a number of diseases, the successful treatment of which directly depends on at what stage of the disease it started. The patient will need to take an x-ray of the fingers, as well as visit a surgeon and a rheumatologist. Treatment is prescribed only after receiving all test results and establishing an accurate diagnosis.