Osteochondrosis of the hand: causes and symptoms. Treatment of osteochondrosis

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Osteochondrosis is a disease that causes degenerative processes in cartilage tissue. This leads to the destruction of connective structures, which is manifested by pain. Osteochondrosis of the hands is one of the forms of the disease that causes discomfort. It manifests itself as an independent disease or against the background of another disease.

Osteochondrosis of fingers and hands

Causes of the disease

The appearance of osteochondrosis of the hands is associated with pinched arteries, which impairs blood flow. This is a sign that the disease is a manifestation of another osteochondrosis.

The disease affects the symmetrical joints of the limbs. In areas of the disease, the skin becomes red, and an accumulation of fluid forms near the source of inflammation. The manifestation resembles skin thickening. They are small in size, but can be seen with the naked eye.

Another cause of the disease is decompressed diabetes mellitus. Atherosclerosis also causes numbness in the hands due to clogged blood vessels. Other causes include infectious diseases, weak immunity and metabolic disorders

Osteochondrosis of the hand appears against the background of the following factors:

• hormonal disbalance;
• lack of nutrients;
• constant physical activity;
• hypothermia;
• injuries;
• hereditary predisposition.

The disease as a manifestation of cervical osteochondrosis

With osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, pinching of the spinal artery and nerve root endings occurs. This leads to loss of mobility of the limbs and the appearance of pain in them. The pathology causes pressure on the nerve processes near the 3rd and 5th vertebrae, which leads to numbness in the hands.

At the initial stage of cervical osteochondrosis, small joints in the hand and fingers are affected. Such manifestations are typical before the age of 25 years. As the disease progresses, more and more joints of the hands are affected, which causes constant aching pain and numbness of the limbs. In the absence of timely treatment, severe destruction and deformation of cartilage tissue occurs. This results in loss of the ability to move the fingers and hand.

Osteochondrosis of the hand: causes of the disease

Osteochondrosis usually begins to manifest itself clearly after the age of 50 years. However, the dystrophic process could begin its development in youth. It is impossible to name one single reason for the development of osteochondrosis. There are a number of factors that can directly or indirectly provoke osteochondrosis:

• sedentary lifestyle;
• excessive physical activity;
• injuries to bones and joints;
• professional sports;
• overweight;
• metabolic disease;
• bad habits;
• heredity.

To prevent osteochondrosis of any part of the spine, it is necessary to visit a doctor on time. Do not leave any changes in the functioning of the body unattended. A healthy lifestyle, balanced nutrition, and moderate physical activity contribute not only to the prevention of osteochondrosis, but also to improved well-being throughout the body.

Symptoms

Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the hands are divided into groups, depending on the form of manifestation:

• Periodic manifestation of symptoms. Numbness and pain in the limbs are not permanent. There is a temporary loss of sensitivity, the cause of which is a mechanical effect on the nerves. The pain syndrome becomes sharp when moving the fingers and hand. All this is typical for cervical osteochondrosis at the initial stage.
• Constant manifestation of symptoms. The pain syndrome has a constant aching character. Tingling and aching appears in the hands, the hand goes numb. This is a sign of severe destruction of cartilage tissue in the cervical spine.
• Symptoms appear at low temperatures. The pain becomes stronger during the cold season. The symptom has a dull aching character, which intensifies with prolonged exposure to cold. Hands turn pale due to poor circulation.
• Stiffness of movements. The symptom appears in the morning, after sleep, when the joints of the fingers have been in motion for a long time. The patient feels weakness and pain in the limbs. It goes away after a warm-up workout, but gradually intensifies. Redness of the skin near the joints is also characteristic.

Reasons for the development of hand chondrosis

Among the potential causes of the development of chondrosis of the hand joints is increased physical and shock-absorbing load. The disease is highly likely to develop in people engaged in work involving raising arms or performing monotonous movements. The risk group includes builders, painters, hairdressers, finishers, installers, etc.

It is also worth paying attention to risk factors that can provoke the destruction of cartilage tissue:

• maintaining a sedentary lifestyle without regular physical activity (physical inactivity);
• metabolic disorders in the body, leading to excess body weight;
• curvature of the vertebral column in the cervical and cervicothoracic spine;
• improper organization of sleeping and working spaces;
• smoking and drinking alcoholic beverages;
• joint injuries;
• incorrectly composed diet;
• insufficient consumption of clean drinking water during the day;
• wearing tight and uncomfortable clothes;
• uncontrolled use of certain groups of medications;
• some forms of anemia;
• deficiency of vitamins and minerals;
• osteoporosis, osteomalacia, through fractures and cracks of the heads of bones.

The reasons for the development of hand chondrosis may include inflammation, rheumatoid tissue lesions, systemic lupus erythematosus, ankylosing spondylitis, dislocations, etc. Only an experienced orthopedist can establish the exact cause and exclude it.

Pay attention to the structure of any joint in the upper limb. It is surrounded by a dense joint capsule filled with synovial fluid. The heads of the bones included in the articular capsule are covered with a synovial cartilaginous layer. It is designed to ensure ease of sliding of bone heads and protection from destruction. Synovial fluid is released when the cartilage tissue is compressed, and is absorbed when straightened. This is how cartilage joint tissue is nourished. If the synovial fluid for one reason or another changes its biochemical properties, then this process is disrupted.

Cartilage tissue undergoes a process of dehydration and loses its elasticity. It becomes unable to protect the bones. In some places, there is a divergence of cartilage tissue with exposure of areas of bone. They develop chips and cracks. Subsequently, they are filled with deposits of calcium salts, which creates rough bone growths.

Osteophytes further destroy the cartilaginous synovial layer. Thus, over time, complete immobility of the joint (contracture) or ankylosis can form. Chondrosis of the hand is a serious pathology that requires early diagnosis and timely initiation of treatment.

Diagnostics

The examination will help make the correct diagnosis

Osteochondrosis of the hand has similar symptoms to other diseases. Tingling and swelling appear when you stay in an uncomfortable position for a long time.

Pain in the hands is caused by angina pectoris. A distinctive feature is a feeling of discomfort in the chest and difficulty breathing.

Also have similar symptoms:

• atherosclerosis;
• inflammation of the radial nerve;
• lack of vitamin B.

Such diseases can be distinguished by hair loss in the affected area. Also, with inflammation, a burning sensation appears, and the pain radiates to the forearm.

To exclude other pathologies, the following is carried out:

• magnetic resonance imaging;
• radiography;
• Ultrasound;
• ECG;
• computed tomography.

A neuropathologist performs diagnostics. First, a visual inspection is carried out for the presence of unnatural formations, then additional procedures are prescribed. The examination is carried out for the right and left arms, even if symptoms appear in only one limb.

Treatments

To treat osteochondrosis of the fingers, methods are used that relieve pain, relieve inflammation and normalize tissue restoration.

In the initial stages, conservative treatment is carried out using medications and manual methods. If there is no effect from such therapy or when the disease has entered the acute phase, surgical intervention is used.

For conservative treatment, medications, vitamin and mineral complexes, external agents and physiotherapy are prescribed. To achieve a quick effect, treatment is carried out comprehensively.

Physiotherapy

When treating osteochondrosis of the fingers, the following is used:

• current therapy;
• electrophoresis;
• magnetic therapy;
• laser therapy.

The effect of physiotherapy eliminates foci of inflammation, normalizes muscle tone and stimulates blood flow to the affected area. During electrophoresis, current is applied to the affected area through special pads. After the procedures, massages are used to consolidate the effect of the treatment.

Medications

Treatment depends on the symptoms of the disease

For the treatment of osteochondrosis of the hands, the following is used:

• non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
• analgesics;
• warming ointments and gels;
• muscle relaxants;
• chondroprotectors.

If osteochondrosis of the fingers is a disease on its own, then the hand is treated. In the presence of cervical osteochondrosis, therapy is directed towards treating the underlying disease, and the limbs are treated with painkillers. Analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs relieve pain. Their action relieves muscle tension and eliminates foci of inflammation.

Effective means:

• "Meloxicam";
• "Voltaren";
• "Xefocam";
• "Ketoprofen";
• "Nimesulide";
• "Cereblex."

Among the muscle relaxants used to treat the hands are Mydocalm and Sirdalud. These remedies relieve muscle tension and spasms and have a warming effect.

Chondroprotectors are used to stimulate the regeneration of joint segments. The preparations contain chondroitin and glucosamine, which improve tissue nutrition and slow down the destruction of compounds.

Effective chondroprotectors:

• "Chondroitin sulfate";
• "Alflutop";
• "Dona";
• "Structum";
• "Arthra";
• "Teraflex".

Also, if necessary, hormonal agents are prescribed. Vitamin complexes are used to restore substances.

Exercises

To treat osteochondrosis of the hands, which is not associated with neck diseases, the following exercises are used:

• tapping the outer part of the palm clenched into a fist on a hard surface;
• hitting the surface with the knuckles of the thumb and index finger;
• hitting each other with fists using the side of the little finger;
• spreading the fingers of the right and left hands to cross them;
• hitting your knuckles against each other;
• flexion of the wrist.

Exercises are carried out regularly. In the morning they do a small exercise, and in the evening - a full-fledged complex. Each exercise is repeated 7-10 times. They can strengthen muscles and joints, relieve numbness and stimulate blood flow to the affected area.

If the source of the disease is cervical osteochondrosis, then gymnastics is also carried out for this area. The set of exercises depends on the stage of the disease.

Effective procedures:

• neck flexion;
• circular movements of the head;
• head tilts left and right.

Folk remedies

At home, natural remedies with an analgesic and warming effect are used to treat osteochondrosis of the fingers. To relieve symptoms, rub the brush with lemon. This stimulates blood flow and removes harmful substances from the affected area. The course of treatment is 30 days.

They also drink onion decoction to relieve pain. To prepare it, 2 onions with peels are poured with boiling water and simmered in a steam bath for 15 minutes. Afterwards, the product is infused for 20 minutes, filtered and drunk in a glass before meals. Take daily for 2 weeks.

Shilajit with honey has an anti-inflammatory effect. The product is used as a compress on the hand. Add 3 g of mumiyo to 60 g of melted honey and mix thoroughly. A cake is made from the substance and applied to the sore arm, securing it with a bandage or film. Keep for 2 hours.

Celandine ointment, which is used during a massage, helps relieve pain in the fingers. To prepare 120 g of the plant, pour olive oil and leave for 2 weeks in a cool room.

Chondrosis of the arm from shoulder to elbow and fingers

Chondrosis of the fingers may be associated with damage to the cartilage tissue in the interphalangeal joints. But most often, unpleasant sensations in the fingers are associated with damage to the cervical spine, brachial nerve plexus, and large nerves passing through the elbow and wrist joints. When these tissues are damaged, numbness occurs in the fingers. They lose the ability to make small movements. Pain syndrome appears. Based on the location of the pain, an experienced neurologist can determine how part of the autonomic nervous system has undergone compression and what disease most likely manifests itself in this way. Therefore, do not engage in self-diagnosis and treatment. Contact an orthopedist or neurologist. These doctors will be able to provide you with high-quality and timely medical care.

Chondrosis of the arm from the shoulder to the elbow can occur when both joints are simultaneously affected or when only one bone joint is destroyed. In the second case, the nature of the pain can be either ascending (for example, when the elbow joint is destroyed, pain in the shoulder) or descending, when a similar part of the upper limb hurts due to the destruction of the shoulder joint.

When carrying out diagnostics, if there are complaints of pain in the shoulder area, an X-ray examination of both joints of the upper limb is indicated. Only in this way will the doctor be able to make an accurate diagnosis.

Note! Pain with chondrosis of the cervical spine can also spread from the shoulder to the elbow. And if there is pain from the elbow joint to the fingertips, cubital tunnel syndrome is more likely to be diagnosed.