Small joint arthropathy is a disease that destroys the cartilage layer 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
Arthropathy begins with a disruption of blood circulation in the subchondral layer of the periosteum.Because of this, the nutrition of the cartilage deteriorates, loses its elasticity, becomes thinner and cracks appear on it.The amount of synovial fluid decreases, due to strong friction, the joints become inflamed.
Progressive arthropathy is very dangerous.If treatment for arthropathy of the hand or foot is not started in time, the joints begin to take on unnatural, ugly shapes and may lose their 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 more fragile.
Kind
Depending on the location, arthropathy is of two types:
- joints of hands and fingers.
- small joints of the foot, big toe.
Articulations of the joints of the hands and fingers
Arthritis of the hands is often found in typists, piano players, programmers and secretaries.The disease affects the interphalangeal joints.With finger arthropathy, the tissues of the joints dry out and crack.Small subcutaneous nodules often appear in the joints of the hands.They usually no longer disappear.
As the disease progresses, the 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: tingling in the joints when moving the fingers, pain in the fingers after exercise, seals in the joints of the fingers, swelling of the peri-articular tissues.
Articulations of the joints of the foot
Ballerinas, dancers, gymnasts, wrestlers and jumpers are susceptible to foot arthropathy.The disease affects the joints of the toes.Bone spurs occur in the small joints of the foot.Because of these, it is painful for a person to move his leg.As the disease progresses, the deformation of the joints is very noticeable and the person practically cannot move the leg.
Big toe osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis in the feet.When the disease occurs, a "bone" forms in the area of the thumb joint.Osteoarthritis of the big toe occurs due to the use of tight shoes.
Foot joint symptoms: pain in the foot after physical activity, tingling in the joints when moving, increase in the size of the joints.When walking, a person limps and rests on the outer edge of the foot.
Causes of appearance
Arthritis can be primary or secondary.
Primary arthropathy 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 arthropathy is a result of joint damage and other diseases.Among his reasons:
- injuries, minor joint injuries.
- acute and chronic arthritis, arthritis.
- 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 use of uncomfortable tight high-heeled shoes;
- sedentary lifestyle;
- hypothermia of the legs.
If your work often puts pressure on the joints of your hands and feet, or if you have relatives who suffer from small joints, you should consider prevention.We will talk about this at the end of the article.
Symptoms
Among the signs of arthropathy of the small joints of the foot, fingers and hands:
- pain in the arms and legs, either going away or coming back;
- Moving your fingers or toes causes pain.
- the joints swell, bend and straighten with a "squeak".
- the tissues surrounding the joint become inflamed.
- the shape of the joints changes - they thicken, Heberden's and Bouchard's nodes appear.
- The sensitivity of the fingertips is reduced.
Articulation stages 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 subsides after rest.Joints may begin to crack and swelling may develop near them.
- Second stage of arthropathy.The disease progresses, the pain intensifies and becomes constant.Moving your fingers causes pain.Heberden's and Bouchard's nodes form in the joints.Their appearance is accompanied by burning and pain.After a few months, the redness and swelling disappear and the nodules become hard.
- The third stage of small joint arthropathy is the most serious.Fingers and toes are deformed and almost impossible to move.The area around the affected joint becomes red and swollen.Acute pain in the joints is felt not only during movement, but also during rest.A man walks with difficulty, going up and down stairs becomes a challenge for him.
Diagnostics
If you notice symptoms of small joints, do not delay the visit to an orthopedist.The disease is curable at an early stage.In the second and third stages, you can only slow down its growth.
To diagnose arthropathy of the small joints, a comprehensive study will be required.With its help, the doctor will determine the cause of the disease and prescribe effective treatment.The initial appointment is made by neurologists and orthopedists.They accurately diagnose arthropathy of the joints of the hands and feet using the following methods:
- MRI.Magnetic resonance imaging
- Ultrasonography (ultrasound)
- Densitometry
- Electrocardiogram (ECG)
- Daily ECG monitoring
- Complete medical examination of the body (check-up)
- Bioimpedance analysis of the body in the context of the "Smart Weight Loss" program.
- Laboratory research
How we treat arthropathy of small joints
An integrated approach is the best way to deal with the disease.Our doctors treat arthropathy of the 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 the joint, condition, age, gender and characteristics of the patient's body.The treatment of arthropathy of the small joints of the foot, hands and fingers will last a maximum of one and a half months.The patient undergoes operations 2-3 times a week.Your joint pain will subside after the first week of treatment.The course of treatment consists of the following procedures:
- Shock-vibration therapy on the device
- High intensity magnetic therapy
- Isometric kinesiotherapy with the Pilates method
- Resonance wave UHF therapy
- Fermatron injections
Treatment of small joint arthrosis 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.
Prevention
Doctors at the Health Lab advise to avoid joint problems:
- walking more, running, swimming, water aerobics, skiing.
- don't get cold.
- watch your weight.
- avoid joint injuries.
- walk in comfortable shoes.
Regarding nutrition, 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.
- quit smoking and alcohol.
- drink at least two liters of water a day.
Therapeutic massage
To avoid arthropathy 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 making a fist.
- Press your palms together tightly and press the fingers of one hand into the fingers of the other.
- Separate your palms and continue to press your fingers together.