Finger Joint Pain and Arthritis

Metacarpophalangeal (MP or MPC) joints are those large joints in the hand at the base of each finger. They serve as complex hinge point and are essential for both gripping and pinching activities. Finger joint pain can have an impact on the simplest of daily tasks, such as holding a cup or even using utensils.

Smaller joints in the hand and those where the thumb is connected to the wrist are the ones most affected by finger joint pain. MP joints are less commonly affected by conditions relating to arthritis. The hand and CMC joint (where the thumb connects to the wrist) are typically more susceptible.  Nevertheless, rheumatoid arthritis is the most common type of arthritis that affects the MP joints. In this situation, the joint lining called synovium generates chemical factors that damage and inflame the cartilage and tissues like the ligaments and tendons. The result of this is that joint surfaces are damaged and fingers come to an ulnar-deviated position. This is a position that points each finger in the direction of the little finger.

Other conditions of finger joint pain can produce throbbing, distortion, and movement loss. Post-traumatic arthritis arises when previous injuries result in the slow loss of joint cartilage, resulting in pain and stiffness. These findings are similar with those inherit in osteoarthritis. Post-traumatic arthritis and OA most generally affect the middle finger, index, and thumb. The rate of deformity and distortion is less severe in these conditions when compared to rheumatoid arthritis. Psoriasis, infection and gout are other conditions that trigger MP joint arthritis.

People who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis experience prolonged pain, inflammation, and deformity in a number of joints in both lower and upper extremities. RA patients’ fingers usually show signs of ulnar drift that is accompanied by motion loss and straightening of fingers.

In post-traumatic arthritis and osteoarthritis, patients complain of severe joint pain, which worsens with gripping and pinching activities. No finger deformities will be obvious for these patients, but swelling in between the large knuckles may often occur.

Diagnosing MP arthritis is done only through x-rays. Milder cases are best diagnosed with the help of special x-rays that examine the metacarpal head.

A lot of treatment options are available for patients suffering from finger joint pain. Deciding on what treatments is best is usually determined by the level of discomfort and severity of joint damage.

In the situation of rheumatoid arthritis, a variety of medications can be effectively utilized to battle any inflammation. Patients of rheumatoid arthritis are well advised to consult health practitioners that specialize in these kinds of disorders. When prescribed medications are not able to reduce symptoms or even slow the destruction of cartilage, cortisone injections can be used to provide temporary relief and improvement.

In post-traumatic arthritis, activity modification, anti-inflammatory drugs, and splints can alleviate the joint pain and provide relief from symptoms.

For patients who experience prolonged and progressive pain, motion loss, and deformity, they may have to go through surgical treatment to relieve these disorders.

Patients who have not suffered form significant joint damage can benefit from the synovectomy surgery, in which the inflamed joint lining is removed in order to slow the progressive destruction of joints. Tendons and cartilage can also be realigned to improve function. Patients with severely damaged joints can have them replaced or fused to relieve themselves from further finger joint pain. Your hand surgeon can provide guidance for these severe conditions.

Joint Pain Causes

Joint pain is a very usual medical problem that is typically linked to aging. In addition, over use of the joints can cause pain too. Other joint pain causes include Arthritis, injury, Bursitis, Tendonitis, Infectious diseases like measles, mumps, influenza, hepatitis, and rheumatic fever, and autoimmune diseases such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.

Arthritis

Osteoarthritis is an ailment that leads to the corrosion of the joint cartilage. In this condition, the cartilage of the troubled joint is abraded and damaged, which brings about pain.

Septic arthritis is an irritation of a joint instigated by bacteria. This kind of arthritis can also trigger pain to the body joints.

Injury

Injuries or accidents such as a sprain, fracture, ligament or cartilage can have a negative impact on your joints. This could be very painful, medical attention is required as this could be severe.

Bursitis

Bursitis frequently happens in the shoulder, hips, elbow and knee. Bursitis is brought about by lack of fluid from bursa sac. This fluid is necessary for the easy movements of the joints and when it is lacking, this can be quite painful.

Tendonitis

Tendonitis is an inflammation of the tendon. Joints that are commonly inflicted with tendonitis are heels, elbow, shoulder and wrists.

Infectious diseases

Diseases are also a source of joint pain causes, some of these include:

• Hepatitis
• Rheumatic fever
• Influenza
• Measles
• Rubella or German measles
• Varicella or chicken pox
• Lyme disease
• Paravirus
• Mumps

Autoimmune Diseases

Rheumatoid arthritis is a joint pain cause that arises from the inflammation of the joint lining.
Osteoarthritis is normally caused by aging as well as extremely strenuous activities. With Osteoarthritis, the cartilage wrapping at the edges of your bones weakens, and pain is coming from one bone touching against the other.

There are a few things you can do to help lessen these joint pain causes:

Always follow and obey the prescribed therapy as treatment.

• Anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen can provide temporary relief of swelling and pain.
• Don’t push your body to work too hard, always warm up first to get your joints limber. Also, be sure to give your body time to rest if you overdo it one day.
• Lastly, make sure you get the right amount of minerals, vitamins, and supplements every day. As everybody knows, Calcium plays an important role in keeping the bones strong, this is important because strong bones help muscles and joints to be robust too. Also, take Omega 3 fatty acids since this can assist the body to overcome pain issues and is a powerful anti inflammatory. Glucosamine also helps in enhancing joint flexibility, as well as aiding in the building of hard-wearing joint cartilage.

Osteoarthritis Joint Pain

Arthritis means inflammation of the joints and it can be very painful with swelling, heat and pain on the joints. Osteoarthritis joint pain is caused by a breakdown of cartilage – the substance that cushions your joints. And without cartilage, your bones rub against each other causing inflammation and pain.
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis and is typically found among older people – over 50 years of age. That is because, as you age, your body makes less of the compounds needed to keep your cartilage in good repair. The result is friction and wear in the joint which causes osteoarthritis joint pain and limited mobility.

Osteoarthritis is usually found in the weight bearing joints like the knee and hips as well as the hands, feet and spine. It affects over 20 million people in the US and the symptoms are pain in the joint often late in the day and usually after repeated use. This can be accompanied by swelling, warmth and even a creaky sound when you move the joint. The amount of joint pain and symptoms vary from person to person.

To minimize osteoarthritis joint pain, one must seek treatment early on. Treatment could range from doing nothing to taking glucosamine chondroitin supplements to taking anti inflammatory drugs and pain medication. Changing your diet to include anti inflammatory foods (salmon, leafy greens) and avoid pro-inflammatory foods (sugar, processed foods) may also be recommended.

Diagnosing Joint Pain And Fatigue

There are a lot of things that can be associated with joint pain and fatigue such as flu, thyroid disorders, chronic fatigue syndrome, allergies and lupus. Of course, the flu will run it’s course and you will return to normal health in about a week, but the others require a doctors care.

One of the most common complaints of fatigue and joint pain come from people who suffer from arthritis. This painful disease is characterized by an inflammation of the joints most usually causing back pain, shoulder pain and hand swelling but can really manifest itself in any joint in the body.

There are indeed a lot of warning signs that would let you know if it is arthritis or some other type of musculoskeletal problem. As soon as you find out that you are experiencing pain in your joints, then you should consult the nearest doctor or specialist to get a complete diagnosis. Knowing exactly what you have is the only way you will be able to try to treat joint pain and fatigue so that you can return to your normal activities.

Once you have your diagnosis, you want to be sure to stick to taking the medications your doctor has prescribed. These will usually be some sort of anti inflammatory and may consist of other prescriptions such as Corticosteroids as well. The medications will help to control your symptoms, but there are other things you can do to help relive your suffering as well.

One way to help relieve the joint pain as well as get rid of the fatigue you are feeling is to make sure you eat right and get plenty of exercise. I know you may not feel like exercising if you are fatigued, but try to get a little bit in each day even if it is only a short walk – believe it or not, exercise actually gives you more energy!

Be sure to eat a healthy diet which includes fresh fruits and vegetables and lean meats. Also, try to have salmon at least twice a week and take an Omega 3 fish oil supplement. In addition, be sure to avoid sugar and processed and packaged foods as these can actually increase the inflammation in your joints.