Arthritis in the fingers is not very uncommon. In fact, a stiffening of the joints of the hands is one of the signs of aging, and this stiffness is caused due to arthritis. In this article, we deal with the different causes for arthritis in fingers and what we can do about it.
There are only two kinds of arthritis that can affect the fingers, one is osteoarthritis that is caused by the wear and tear of the joints, and the other is rheumatoid arthritis that is caused by an autoimmune disorder that affects the joint.
While osteoarthritis generally comes with old age and is caused by the wear and tear of the joint, rheumatoid arthritis can affect a person at any age. Both kinds of arthritis result in a wearing down of the protective cartilage that covers the joint, providing a layer of cushioning that protects the joint. This results in the bones of the joint rubbing against each other during movement, resulting in the pain and stiffness that usually accompanies arthritis. There is also a feeling of the joint locking at places because the movement of the bones against each other is not smooth.
The most common symptom of arthritis in the fingers is a stiffening of the joint and pain. There will also be a certain amount of swelling in the joint.
While these symptoms are common for both kinds of arthritis, people who have rheumatoid arthritis will also have other symptoms including arthritis that affects other parts of their body. This is because their problem stems from the body's own immune system attacking the joints and damaging it. It is therefore a systemic problem and not restricted to any portion of the body.
Another problem with arthritis is that it can lead to bone spurs that grow in the joints. These bone spurs are created by the body in an effort to relieve some of the pressure from the joint. These spurs, however, can cause other problems including locking the joint and not allowing movement.
Arthritis is an incurable problem. Whatever be the cause, there is no way to reverse any damage caused nor is there any way to “cure” the problem. As of now, the only treatment options are geared towards restoring movement to the joint, slowing down the progress of the disease, and managing the problem with pain killers. Generally, anti-inflammatory medication is given to control the inflammation, reducing or preventing the swelling of the joint, and to manage the pain.
The best treatment, however, is physiotherapy and strengthening exercises that help to both strengthen the joint as well as restore movement. Converse to what most people believe, exercise does not cause more deterioration, and in fact, helps with the slowing down of the progress of the disease.
Exercise helps to strengthen the muscles and the ligaments that hold the joint in place, helping to relieve the pressure from the affected portion. The cartilage also does not grow very easily because the blood circulation to cartilaginous portions is very low and the cartilage receives nutrition only from the synovial fluid. Exercise helps to bring fresh synovial fluid into the joint, helping the remaining cartilage to stay healthy and the affected portion to heal. People who have rheumatoid arthritis will need other medication to suppress the immune system, especially during times of an “attack” where the symptoms will increase exponential to normal.
Surgery is a last option and is not generally considered because the only option is to fuse the joint together so that it does not move anymore. This will lock the joint in one position, but will relieve the pain.
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