The wrist joint is one of the most important elements of the musculoskeletal system of the human body. This fragile joint is located at the junction of the hands and forearm bones. Most often, this area is subject to injury; degenerative changes are much less common here. Arthrosis of the wrist joint
– the disease is quite rare and can greatly reduce a person’s quality of life.
Constant loads and injuries provoke degradation of cartilage tissue, which is subsequently accompanied by pain and difficulty moving. osteoarthritis of the wrist joint
develops , causing serious discomfort. The mobility of the joint is sometimes reduced by half, which brings severe discomfort in the process of performing everyday, habitual manipulations.
Symptoms of arthrosis and osteoarthritis
It is difficult to recognize these diseases in the initial stages. Patients often do not pay attention to mild pain, and when it becomes severe enough, the disease is already advanced.
- Pain when moving, causing discomfort and serious inconvenience in everyday activities. This is one of the most characteristic symptoms of arthrosis and osteoarthritis of the wrist joint.
- Pain when trying to lean on the palm, bending the hand, or carrying heavy objects.
- In some cases, edema occurs and swelling appears in the affected areas.
- Crunching of joints, feeling of limited movements.
Symptoms and diagnosis of osteoarthritis of the hands
Osteoarthritis of the hands progresses slowly. At the initial stages of the development of the disease, patients may feel discomfort in the hands and fingers at the end of the working day. Over time, nodular thickenings of bone tissue appear in the area of the joints of the hand. They come in two types.
Bouchard's nodes affect the proximal joints located between the phalanges of the fingers. Seals are found on the back of the hand. When palpating the nodules, there is usually no discomfort. Sometimes the patient may experience mild pain. Bouchard's nodes, if left untreated, lead to limited movement of the joints of the hands.
Heberden's nodes are more common. They usually form at the distal interphalangeal joint. Most often, the seals are concentrated on the middle and index fingers. Less commonly, they can be found on the little finger and ring finger. With osteoarthritis of the hands, Heberden's nodes form on both hands. In most patients they are not a source of pain. Patients sometimes feel discomfort. Unpleasant sensations often bother women going through menopause.
A few years after the nodules appear, patients begin to experience pain. Symmetrical damage to the fingers is noted. Osteoarthritis affects the interphalangeal joints and the joints of the “base” of the thumb. Osteoarthritis of the metatarsophalangeal joint may develop. Externally, deformation of the joints becomes noticeable, they deviate from the axis, and subluxations form. From time to time, patients note swelling and swelling on the fingers and redness of the skin. The pain is accompanied by stiffness in the joints, discomfort occurs when performing flexion and extension movements.
To establish an accurate diagnosis, rheumatologists at the Yusupov Hospital prescribe an x-ray examination of the hand. X-rays reveal the following signs of osteoarthritis;
- Narrowing of the joint space with smooth, clear contours of the articulating bones;
- Marginal bone growths;
- Subchondral osteosclerosis.
In all stages of the disease, smooth, clear contours of the articulating bones are preserved, narrowing of the joint space and marginal bone growths are formed over a fairly long time. If indicated, a computed tomography scan is performed. Radiologists distinguish 4 stages of severity of the degenerative-deforming process in the joint:
- The first stage is characterized by a slight narrowing of the joint space without obvious signs of bone growths and cysts; moderate subchondral sclerosis may occur;
- In the second stage, a more pronounced narrowing of the joint space is determined, which may be uneven. There is pronounced subchondral sclerosis, and minimal marginal osteophytes can be detected;
- The third stage is characterized by a clear uneven narrowing of the joint space. Multiple osteophytes of significant size are visualized, subchondral sclerosis is pronounced;
- In patients with the fourth degree of osteoarthritis, the joint space is not visible at all; there may be signs of aseptic necrosis of the bones of the hand or phalanges of the fingers. Sclerotic changes are strongly expressed.
In clinical and biochemical tests, deviations from the norm are not detected. The pathological process is not accompanied by an increase in erythrocyte sedimentation rate, as is the case with arthritis.
Types and degrees of diseases
- Arthrosis and osteoarthritis of the 1st degree have not very pronounced symptoms and manifest themselves as minor pain after exertion, especially monotonous ones. As soon as the joints return to a state of rest, the pain disappears.
- The development of stage 2 of the disease is accompanied by the appearance of more pronounced problems - pain and discomfort that do not go away for a long time. A crunch appears in the joints, swelling in the phalanges. The patient tries not to make painful movements.
- The third degree is manifested by increased deformities, the appearance of deforming osteoarthritis, pain at rest, and limitation of movements. At this stage, the cartilage layer is almost completely destroyed, and bone growths may appear along the edges of the joints. Due to a decrease in motor activity, the tone of the muscles of the entire arm decreases.
Reasons for the development of arthrosis of the fingers
Joint deformation is one of the main symptoms that the patient not only feels, but also sees. This pathological change develops over quite a long time, therefore, it is very important to seek help at the first manifestations of the disease. Causes of development of arthrosis of the hands and fingers
I can be
- old age (60 years and older);
- professional loads on the hands and fingers;
- harmful production factors: cold, vibration and others;
- injuries: bruises, dislocations, fractures;
- hereditary pathologies of joints and connective tissues;
- various metabolic disorders;
- changes in hormonal levels, menopause;
- infectious and chronic diseases, etc.
Causes
Osteoarthritis can be primary - develop in a healthy joint, or secondary - develop in a joint that has already been affected by some disease. Factors that contribute to the occurrence of deforming osteoarthritis are the following:
- Gender – women are much more susceptible to developing arthrosis of the joints.
- Age - after 65 years, almost 90% of people have joint pathologies.
- Excess weight, endocrine disorders.
- Excessive load on the wrist joint. Physically hard work, professional sports.
- Advanced inflammatory processes in the joints.
- Heredity.
Causes of osteoarthritis of the hands
The cause of the development of osteoarthritis of the hands is considered to be age-related changes in the articular cartilage. Over time, the cartilage tissue in the joints becomes thinner and loses its elasticity. For this reason, the joints become unstable to physical stress.
Hormonal changes contribute to the occurrence of osteoarthritis of the hands. Therefore, the disease more often develops in women who are in menopause. During menopause, the amount of calcium in the body decreases. In order to prevent the development of osteoarthritis of the hands, it is necessary to eat well and take vitamin and mineral complexes prescribed by doctors.
The cause of osteoarthritis of the hands may be professional activities associated with monotonous movements of the fingers. When working at a weaving loom or on a computer, the joints of the hands experience increased stress, which causes microtrauma. They negatively affect the condition of cartilage tissue and lead to the development of osteoarthritis of the hands.
Metabolic processes in the body, including the production of collagen, are of great importance. It is disrupted in some endocrine diseases due to genetic pathology. When these processes are disrupted, osteoarthritis develops.
Treatment
In each case, the approach to how to treat the disease may be different. It depends on the degree of the disease, the reasons that caused it, the condition of the patient, and whether the right or left wrist is affected. Among the main methods:
- Exercises, special therapeutic exercises.
- Physiotherapy.
- Treatment with medications.
- Maintaining proper nutrition and daily routine.
- Wearing chondroprotectors that help the process of cartilage tissue restoration.
- Taking medications and injections to help restore cartilage.
When the disease reaches an advanced stage, the patient can only be helped with surgery and prosthetics.
It is important to understand that this disease is chronic, which means that treatment procedures will have to be carried out constantly. However, the earlier osteoarthritis of the wrist joint is diagnosed, the more timely therapy will begin and the less destructive changes in cartilage tissue will be. This determines the importance of contacting an orthopedist at the slightest sign of pathology in the articular area.
Treatment methods for arthrosis of the hands and fingers
The main goal of treating arthrosis of the fingers is to preserve the functionality of the joints and prevent further destruction of cartilage tissue. The conservative therapy regimen includes:
- optimization of the load on the hands and fingers;
- exercises for sore joints;
- prescription of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory and glucocorticosteroid drugs;
- injections of chondroprotectors;
- physiotherapeutic procedures (laser and magnetic therapy, ultraviolet radiation).
If the joints are severely damaged and their functions are impaired, the patient is referred for surgery, which involves replacing the damaged structures with endoprostheses.
Degenerative-dystrophic changes in the disease are considered irreversible .
However, competent treatment of arthrosis of the fingers and hands, as well as strict adherence to medical recommendations, allows the patient not only to slow down the development of the pathology, but also to maintain an acceptable quality of life for a long time. Our clinic provides effective treatment for this type of disease. We employ qualified doctors with practical experience in treating arthrosis. arthrosis
Recovery
Recovery is aimed at returning motor activity and joint functions. Rehabilitation mainly consists of performing gymnastics, therapeutic exercises, and also establishing a balanced nutrition system. Wearing fixing bandages and bandages to speed up the restoration of cartilage tissue also gives good results.
To prevent deforming osteoarthritis and other similar diseases - maintain normal body weight, avoid heavy loads, and be attentive to changes in health.
Types of disease:
Arthrosis of the hands, depending on the localization of the process, can be divided into two forms:
- Nodular. This pathology is characterized by the formation of nodular thickenings with bone density on the interphalangeal joints of the fingers (distal and proximal). Damage to the distal joints is called Heberden's nodes, and the proximal joints are called Bouchard's nodes.
- Rhizarthrosis, which affects the base of the thumb. The cause of this form of the disease is damage to the carpometacarpal joint of the thumb, as well as the metacarpophalangeal joint.
Arthrosis of the wrist joint may also occur, but this phenomenon is quite rare in clinical practice. In most cases, it is caused by injury (dislocation or fracture).
How to cope with hand joint disease
Almost every joint in the body is affected by arthrosis; the interphalangeal, metacarpophalangeal and metatarsophalangeal joints of the fingers and toes are most often affected. With arthrosis, structural changes occur - the articular membrane thickens, fluid accumulates in its cavity, and growths - osteophytes - appear on the surface.
What are the reasons for the development of the disease
Arthrosis is divided into primary and secondary. The first stage (idiopathic) is the cause of defects in the restoration processes and increased degeneration of the cartilage tissue of the joints. Secondary arthrosis occurs as a result of other pathological processes in the body or with partial destruction of the articular surfaces.
The main reason is age-related changes (wear and tear of interphalangeal cartilage). Every year, the symptoms of arthrosis intensify and appear more and more often due to environmental problems, bad habits and unhealthy diet. Other factors also contribute to the disease, such as:
- obesity, which, due to the load on the joints, leads to the rapid development of arthrosis;
- dysfunction of the endocrine system;
- hereditary predisposition;
- difficult working conditions.
Severe weakening of the surfaces of the joints, deformation of the bones leads to reformation and shifts of the entire hand, chronic inflammation and frequent pain. Changing the shape of the hand can lead to complete inability to move it.
Overdried and worn-out cartilage tissue begins to wear out over time due to its inability to withstand friction. Since joints cannot cope with their task under load, muscles, ligaments and bones take on all the work. In order to prevent further friction of the articular surface and increase its area, the human body begins the process of tissue compensation in the affected area, and osteophytes appear. These are bone growths that are spherical and sometimes even spiky.
What signs characterize the disease
Arthrosis of the joints of the hands is manifested by pain. It is not sharp, but periodic; later the pain begins to intensify and becomes constant, most often causing insomnia due to attacks of pain, especially at night. Because of this, there is stiffness in the movements of the fingers, and the destruction of the cartilage layer promotes friction of the bones, as a result of which arthritic bones are characterized by a specific crunch in the joint. This is not a light clicking sound, but a dull, rough crunch. This disease also changes the appearance of the hands. The development of a chronic form leads to the inability to move one or more joints.
At the fourth stage of the disease, which is considered the most severe form of the disease, they already talk about the irreversibility of the process. Stiffness of the hands develops to complete immobility, growths become visible to the naked eye, and unpleasant sensations arise even at rest, without performing various actions.
Features of treatment
When fighting arthrosis of the fingers in the primary stages, it is possible to completely get rid of the external symptoms of the disease. Therapy is multi-vector in nature - it includes not only drug treatment, but also physical influence, and sometimes occupational therapy.
arthrosis treatment
It begins with the exclusion of pain; for this, the arm is immobilized using a splint or orthopedic bandage, then analgesic ointments, creams or tablets are followed. A state of rest has a beneficial effect on cartilage and promotes its rehydration, that is, partial restoration of its elasticity and firmness.
In the last stages of arthrosis, surgical intervention can sometimes be performed according to medical indications. This usually involves flushing the joint, removing osteophytes, reconstructing the destroyed joint, stabilizing it, or endoprosthetics.
During physiotherapeutic treatment, patients are recommended therapeutic massage and self-massage, which helps combat muscle tension and spasms. Such massages improve metabolism in the hand and fingers, and also increase the amplitude of voluntary movements. For self-help with arthrosis of the fingers, it is enough to drum on the table, play with plush toys and finger the rosary.
Among folk remedies, ointments based on:
- beeswax;
- flax seeds;
- olive oil;
- propolis;
- extracts of medicinal herbs.
Doctors recommend a diet that prohibits salty foods, smoked foods, alcohol, food with artificial colors, steroids, and preservatives. The diet is not strict and has no major restrictions. As a rule, patients are recommended meals containing animal and vegetable fat, as well as other healthy ingredients. It is very important to take the daily amount of microelements and vitamins needed by the body, and also take a sufficient amount of water.
Prevention
Osteoarthritis of the joints has a detrimental effect on fine motor skills. This reduces a person’s ability to work and interferes with everyday life and at work; in the most advanced cases, the patient cannot even grab a mug or press buttons on the phone.
It is necessary to lead a healthy lifestyle. Our metabolism depends on how we treat our health, how much we eat, smoke, and get enough sleep, and this, in turn, has a huge impact on our joints.
Massage your hands regularly. It also affects blood circulation and joint condition, relieves tension and spasms. Enough:
- actively rub your hands together to warm your hands;
- Quickly straighten and bend your fingers 15-20 times without clenching your fist;
- clasp your finger with your hand and rotate it, as if sharpening a pencil, repeat these actions with each finger of your hand.
Author: K.M.N., Academician of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences M.A. Bobyr
Signs of the disease
Depending on the nature of the course, the disease can be divided into three stages, each of which is characterized by its own symptoms:
Stage 1. It is characterized by periodic aching pain, most often occurring at night, and accompanied by muscle tension and the formation of minor swelling in the affected area. Finger movements are not difficult at the initial stage.
Stage 2. The pain begins to bother the patient not only at night, but it becomes especially pronounced during stress on the fingers. Finger movements become difficult and a characteristic crunching sound appears. The muscles of the affected fingers or the entire hand gradually begin to atrophy, and the joints increase in volume.
Stage 3. Symptoms of the disease at this stage are: limited mobility of the affected finger; destruction of articular cartilage and the bones connected by it, the appearance of nodules in this area.
Regardless of the complete deformation of the hand, this pathology does not have any effect on the functions of the internal organs, and in general the condition of the body does not change in any way.
Conservative (non-surgical) treatment of arthrosis of the hands.
At the ORTOS orthopedic salon, conservative treatment is usually prescribed for stages I, II and III. At stage IV, an individual rehabilitation program is developed, which can last from several weeks to several months.
Therefore, it is so important, when identifying the first signs of arthrosis, to immediately consult a doctor who is well acquainted with the treatment of arthrosis of the hands. It is necessary, if possible, to eliminate the load on the hands.
At the ORTOS orthopedic salon, physical rehabilitation specialists will create for you a sequence of exercises that relieve pain, strengthen the ligaments, nourish the joint with synovial fluid and restore mobility of the knee joint. These exercises will stabilize the knee joint, which reduces the likelihood of relapses, i.e. recurrent illness.
During individual training, you have the opportunity to learn how to use various massagers and applicators to speed up the rehabilitation process. This method allows you to restore blood circulation in the joints of the fingers, trophism of soft tissues, sensitivity and endurance of the muscles of the forearm.
ORTOS offers its customers a wide selection of products and services for the rehabilitation of arthrosis of the hands. By purchasing this product or, you can be sure of the quality of the service and the product itself. You can view the range, read the characteristics, and also order a specialist consultation here.
Which doctor treats arthrosis
At the very first manifestation of symptoms, you can consult a rheumatologist.
Already after 30 years, pulling or aching pain may be felt in the joints after physical activity. Sometimes after sleep you may feel tension in your joints for some time. This is already a reason to see a doctor. Unfortunately, in most cases, such symptoms are not paid attention to, and people think about visiting a doctor and treating arthrosis when the pain begins to seriously interfere with movement. At this stage of the disease, you should consult an orthopedic doctor for treatment of arthrosis.
In case of joint injury, follow-up with an orthopedic surgeon is necessary to prevent and timely treatment of post-traumatic arthrosis.
Make an appointment Do not self-medicate. Contact our specialists who will correctly diagnose and prescribe treatment.
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