Swollen arthritic knuckles: Arthritis in the knuckles: Types, symptoms, and more

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Arthritis in the knuckles: Types, symptoms, and more

Arthritis in the knuckles may cause pain, swelling, weakness, and stiffness. Nonsurgical treatment options include wrist braces and exercises. Severe cases may require surgical measures such as joint replacement.

This article will review what types of arthritis affect the hands and knuckles and common symptoms. We also look at risk factors for the condition, diagnosis, and treatment options.

A note about sex and gender

Sex and gender exist on spectrums. This article will use the terms “male,” “female,” or both to refer to sex assigned at birth. Click here to learn more.

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Hand arthritis can affect joints in the fingers, particularly the knuckle, as well as the wrist.

Arthritis is more common in older individuals and females. Around half of all females and one-quarter of all females will experience arthritis in their hands by age 85.

Arthritis is a broad term for the disease of different joints throughout the body. In total, there are over 100 different types of arthritis. We discuss some of the more common types below.

Osteoarthritis

The most common type of arthritis is osteoarthritis (OA). This form of arthritis affects over 54 million people across the United States. OA involves the breakdown of cartilage. This rubbery substance protects the ends of bones where they meet in healthy joints.

Alongside the hands, this type of arthritis can occur in the following areas:

hips
knees
lower back and neck

OA often affects three main areas of the hand:

the base of the thumb
the joints closest to the fingertips
the fingers’ middle joints

OA typically occurs in response to wear and tear of particular joints. This could happen from overstressing a joint through a physically demanding job or a sport.

Rheumatoid arthritis

Another type of arthritis that can affect the hands and knuckles is rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In this form of arthritis, joint inflammation degrades cartilage over time.

In the hands, RA can affect the finger joints and wrists and result in swelling. It can cause hand and wrist deformities. For example, RA can cause the fingers to shift toward the pinky finger. It can also reduce both mobility and sensation in the fingers.

People with RA may also exhibitinflammation in tissues throughout the body. They may experience:

weight loss
decreased energy levels
weakness
fever

People with a family history of RA may be at higher risk of developing this form of arthritis. Other risk factors include:

smoking
certain diets
stress

Other forms of arthritis

Individuals under the age of 16 may develop juvenile arthritis (JA). This form of arthritis can cause stiffness and pain in joints throughout the body. Researchers today consider JA an autoimmune condition.

Children with JA may develop a rash around affected areas. They may also have:

decreased appetite
eye inflammation
fever

Certain genes may cause JA if activated by a virus, bacteria, or other external factors.

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) can also affect the fingers, but this form of arthritis generally develops after age 30. Like JA, PsA is an autoimmune condition. It can cause swelling in the fingers. In some cases, people with PsA also develop nail deformities.

Psoriatic arthritis can also involve itchy and painful rashes across the body. It can lead to:

swelling
fever
fatigue

The symptoms of arthritis vary according to the individual and the type of arthritis at play. But most people with arthritis in the hands and knuckles will experience a few common symptoms. Let’s review these now.

What does it feel like?

Several common symptoms of arthritis in the knuckles include:

pain around the joints
limited range of motion
stiffness and swelling around the affected joints
bone spurs
grinding or cracking sensations
joint deformity
nodules or knots around the finger joints
cysts around finger joints or wrists

Learn more about arthritis in the fingers.

Frequency and severity of symptoms

The symptoms of OA tend to worsen over time. As cartilage continues to degrade, pain and stiffness become more severe. In advanced cases, people with OA may be unable to work or perform daily activities.

On the other hand, RA symptoms fluctuate over time. During RA flares, symptoms worsen. People with RA also experience remissions where they may have few or no RA symptoms.

This is similar to JA, which also involves flares and remissions. However, JA can cause permanent joint damage. This damage could cause long-term discomfort as well as other symptoms.

PsA symptoms vary widely between individuals. Some may experience mild symptoms, whereas others may experience severe ones that affect many joints. A sudden onset of symptoms, or flare, can last from days to months.

A person should consult a doctor to discuss the characteristics of their symptoms to receive a suitable diagnosis and treatment.

Read more about arthritis symptoms in the hands.

Certain people are more likely to experience arthritis in the hands and knuckles. Some of the most common risk factors include:

female
older age
obesity

People with a family history of arthritis are also at a higher risk of developing it themselves. Certain genes can increase the risk of developing arthritis and worsen symptoms.

Some bacterial and viral infections can also lead to arthritis. Joint injuries or repetitive joint strain likewise increase the chance of developing arthritis.

Read more about risk factors for RA.

Individuals experiencing symptoms of hand and knuckle arthritis should visit a medical professional.

During an evaluation, a doctor will review the knuckle symptoms and how long they have been present.

They will take a family history to determine whether an individual is at higher risk of arthritis. Additionally, they will review overall health and daily habits or self-care practices.

During a physical exam, a doctor can determine the range of motion and examine the hand. If the physical exam indicates arthritis, a doctor may prescribe further testing. This can include lab tests, which may help identify markers for certain types of arthritis.

X-rays may also help diagnose arthritis. These scans can help show irregularities around affected joints. Changes in joint shape, or reduction in the space between joints, can indicate arthritis.

Doctors do not routinely use MRI and musculoskeletal ultrasounds to evaluate people with joint pains. However, both tests are more sensitive than regular X-rays in detecting inflammation. A doctor may use these if the diagnosis is uncertain or if standard X-rays show no issues.

There are various options for treating arthritis in the hands and knuckles. Some may include nonsurgical options such as:

wrist braces
nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAIDs)
steroid injections around affected joints
weight loss strategies to help maintain moderate weight

Topical pain medications may also help treat hand arthritis. In a 2018 study, researchers analyzed topical capsaicin for reducing osteoarthritis symptoms. They found that topical capsaicin can help reduce OA symptoms with few, if any, side effects.

Learn more about capsaicin creams.

For individuals with autoimmune disease — for example, RA or PsA — as a cause of arthritis, treatment may involve immunosuppressants, such as disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs).

A person should discuss all possible options before starting any treatments.

Alongside conservative measures, alternative options may also relieve symptoms, including:

yoga
tai chi
acupuncture

Read more about other possible home remedies for arthritis.

In some cases, a doctor may recommend surgery to treat arthritis of the hand. During this procedure, a surgeon can replace joints in the knuckles — through arthroplasty. These plastic or metal artificial joints allow bones around the joint to move with minimal or no pain.

Surgeons usually use arthroplasty to repair the knuckles at the base of the fingers. In most cases, joint replacement relieves pain and restores some mobility.

However, there is a risk of the symptoms returning as surgeons may have difficulty obtaining enough soft tissue to reconstruct around the implant.

A person should discuss the possible benefits and risks of surgical procedures.

Arthritis in the knuckles causes symptoms that range from pain and swelling to changes in finger shape. A person may also have issues bending fingers and a limited range of motion.

There are many different types of arthritis, but OA is the most common type in the hands. Treatments include NSAIDs, steroid injections, and, in some cases, surgical joint replacement.

People may also try home remedies and alternative treatments, such as acupuncture, but they should discuss their options with a doctor first.

Arthritis in the Fingers and Knuckles: Pictures and Symptoms

Arthritis in the Fingers and Knuckles: Pictures and Symptoms

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Medically reviewed by Margaret R. Li, MD, FACR — By Kimberly Holland — Updated on February 14, 2023

Arthritis in the fingers can cause joint swelling, loss of function, and other symptoms. It may also change the appearance of the affected joints.

The joints in your fingers, including the knuckles, may be the most delicate in the body. They typically work together like a well-oiled machine, helping you perform your daily activities.

However, if you develop arthritis, you may experience changes to the form of your joints and decreased function in your fingers.

The most common types of arthritis that may affect the fingers include:

osteoarthritis (OA)
rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
psoriatic arthritis (PsA)

Read on to learn how arthritis in the fingers looks and feels.

In its earliest stages, arthritis causes a dull, achy sensation in the fingers. You might experience this pain after a day when you use your hands more than usual. Pain in the early stages of arthritis may come and go.

As arthritis worsens, more cartilage wears away. Without this protective barrier to cushion your delicate joints, you may have pain even when you don’t use your hands or when you use them very little. Pain might become so severe that it wakes you up from your sleep.

The tissue and cartilage in your hands and fingers typically protect your delicate joints. If a joint experiences damage or excessive stress, the tissues that line the joint may swell. This swelling may make your hands and fingers appear puffier than usual.

In some cases, the entire finger — and not just an individual joint — may swell. This is known as dactylitis. Dactylitis results from severe inflammation. PsA is the most common cause of dactylitis. However, it can sometimes affect people with other arthritis types.

Arthritis also causes joint stiffness. A joint can’t move as freely when the tissue and cartilage swell.

You may notice that it’s hard to make a fist or move your fingers. Sometimes a weakened grip can make it hard for you to hold on to objects like cups, and you may even drop things more easily.

Joint stiffness is especially common in the morning when you haven’t used the joint in several hours. It may also occur after a long day of movement when the joints experience more stress than usual.

The cartilage in your joints can wear away unevenly. Additionally, as arthritis progresses, the tissues and ligaments that usually hold the joints in place grow weaker. These two developments can cause the joints in your hands and fingers to change.

As arthritis worsens, the changes will be more obvious.

Arthritis in the hands will involve the distal interphalangeal (DIP), proximal interphalangeal (PIP), or metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints. The DIP joints are at the fingertips. The PIP joints are the joints directly below them. The MCP joints are your knuckles, the larger joints below the PIP joints.

The distribution of your joint issues can often indicate your arthritis type. The DIP joints are involved only in OA or PsA. RA commonly involves the PIP and MCP joints but never the DIP joints.

When a joint experiences damage, tissues and ligaments around the joint can become inflamed. This inflammation will cause the joint to feel warm. The joints are often very painful when you put pressure on them or move them.

It may also cause redness or discoloration around the joint.

In a healthy joint, a layer of cartilage covers and cushions the bones. In an arthritic joint, the cartilage wears away and can even disappear altogether.

As the cartilage wears away, you may experience a grinding or grating sensation in your joints. Bone-on-bone contact causes the sensation.

This contact will be painful, and the loss of cartilage will appear on X-rays as a loss of joint space.

Bone spurs may also develop in arthritic joints. As the damage in a joint worsens, the body’s reaction may be to create extra bone.

These knobby growths can give your hands and fingers a gnarled appearance. The growths rarely cause pain, but they may eventually prevent a joint from functioning properly.

Bone spurs are usually typical in cases of OA.

Myxoid cysts are small fluid-filled sacs that may appear like small dents or ridges on your fingers. They’re also known as digital mucous cysts.

They usually measure 5 to 8 millimeters. Myxoid cysts are most likely to develop at the end of the finger and may occur under the fingernail. They may appear as a round “pearl” on top of the hand near the nail at the DIP joint.

Myxoid cysts are more common in people in their 60s. They affect females more often than males and are closely associated with OA.

Many adults live with the visible — or invisible — symptoms of arthritis each day.

If you recognize arthritis symptoms in your hands and fingers, make an appointment with a primary care physician or rheumatologist. They can teach you joint exercises and help you find treatments that can ease your pain and discomfort.

If you don’t already have a rheumatologist, the Healthline FindCare tool can help you locate a physician in your area.

Read this article in Spanish.

Last medically reviewed on September 12, 2022

How we reviewed this article:

Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Arthritis. (2020).
cdc.gov/arthritis
Arthritis of the hand. (2013).
orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases–conditions/arthritis-of-the-hand
Digital mucous cyst. (n.d.).
aocd.org/page/DigitalMucousCyst
Osteophyte (bone spur). (2019).
nhs.uk/conditions/osteophyte

Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available.

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Feb 14, 2023

Written By

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Edited By

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Sep 12, 2022

Medically Reviewed By

Margaret R. Li, MD, FACR

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Medically reviewed by Margaret R. Li, MD, FACR — By Kimberly Holland — Updated on February 14, 2023

Swelling of the joints – causes, diagnosis and treatment

Swelling of the joints occurs with traumatic injuries, rheumatic, orthopedic, infectious, endocrine diseases. May affect one, several or many joints. It is accompanied by an increase, a change in the contours of the periarticular areas. Often combined with pain, redness, increased local temperature. The cause of the swelling is determined using interview data, physical examination, radiography, other imaging techniques, and laboratory tests. Until the diagnosis is made, functional rest is recommended, sometimes the use of topical agents is acceptable.

Why joints swell

Rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is one of the most common types of arthritis. A distinctive feature is bilateral symmetrical damage to the joints. Pathology often debuts against the background of the change of seasons, hormonal changes, general infection, trauma, hypothermia. Manifests acutely or subacutely, subsequently acquires a chronic character. Perhaps initially chronic course. Swelling of the joints is complemented by pain, local hyperemia, hyperthermia, transient or permanent stiffness, dysfunction.

There are special forms of the disease – Felty’s syndrome and juvenile arthritis. Felty’s syndrome develops on average 10 years after the onset of the first symptoms of the seropositive form of the disease. There is damage to small joints in the arms and legs. Hepatosplenomegaly, leukopenia, myocarditis, episcleritis, polyserositis are detected.

Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis develops in childhood or adolescence, resembles pathology in adults, but differs from it in some ways. Perhaps a predominant lesion of the joints, a combination with severe systemic manifestations. The process often involves large joints of the arms and legs. In addition to swelling, deformities and gait disturbances are detected. Sometimes hernial protrusions are formed.

Other aseptic arthritis

Diseases often occur chronically with alternating exacerbations and remissions. Swelling of the joints is combined with pain, stiffness of movements, signs of local inflammation. The symptom is detected in the following types of arthritis:

Psoriatic. Possible asymmetric oligoarthritis, rheumatoid-like lesion, involvement of distal hand joints. Swelling develops some time after the appearance of skin changes, less often articular symptoms precede skin symptoms.
Gouty. In the vast majority of cases, the I metatarsophalangeal joint suffers. The disease begins acutely with sharp pains, swelling, redness of the skin, dysfunction. Subsequent attacks gradually become more frequent. Migrating pains, mono- and oligoarthritis of large joints or hands are less common.
Reactive. Asymmetric joint swelling occurs 1-4 weeks after the onset of symptoms of a urogenital or intestinal infection. In a typical course (Reiter’s syndrome), symptoms of urethritis, conjunctivitis are noted. Possible skin changes, lymphadenitis, damage to internal organs.

Swelling of the joints

Infectious arthritis

Provoked by specific or nonspecific pathogenic microflora. Along with swelling, pain, redness, local hyperthermia are often accompanied by general symptoms: fever, chills, weakness, fatigue, intoxication syndrome. The following types of infectious arthritis are distinguished:

Nonspecific purulent. Bacterial arthritis usually affects one large joint of the leg: knee, hip, ankle. The swelling grows, is combined with sharp jerking pains, general hyperthermia, and other signs of inflammation. Possible rapid destruction of the articular surfaces.
Viral. Swelling and pain, moderate or slight, migratory. Symptoms persist for several weeks or months, the outcome is favorable.
Fungal. Develops against the background of immune disorders. There is a tendency to a long course, the destruction of the nearby bone, the formation of fistulas, the formation of ankylosis.
Gonococcal. Ankle, knee, elbow joints swell, sometimes hands. Multiple rashes appear on the skin and mucous membranes. Manifestations of urogenital infection (urethritis, cervicitis) may be smoothed or absent.
Syphilitic. Occurs in both congenital and acquired syphilis. A symmetrical lesion of both knee joints, recurrent synovitis is revealed. Perhaps the formation of dactylitis with swelling, subsequent deformation of the fingers.
Tuberculous. Runs chronically, affects one of the large joints of the arm or leg. Swelling is initially expressed slightly, subsequently progresses due to synovitis, the formation of cold abscesses.
Brucellosis. Small edema, accompanied by short-term pain. There are pronounced symptoms of an infectious disease: fever, heavy sweats, chills, swollen lymph nodes, liver, spleen.

Panarthritis is a complication of non-specific or gonorrheal arthritis involving surrounding tissues. Pathology is accompanied by significant swelling of the joint, a symptom of fluctuation due to the accumulation of pus in the tissues, fever, a drop in blood pressure, and sometimes impaired consciousness.

Allergic arthropathy

Pain, swelling of the joints (usually minor) appear immediately after contact with the allergen or after a few days. They are combined with skin rash, rhinitis, conjunctivitis, lymphadenitis, broncho-obstructive syndrome, and other manifestations of allergies. Swelling of the joints in some cases is detected with Quincke’s edema in children. It is considered a constant sign of allergic sepsis, which is also more often diagnosed in pediatric patients.

Arthropathy in infectious diseases

Arthropathies in parasitic and infectious diseases are characterized by mild swelling, unstable symptoms, quickly disappearing with the treatment of the underlying pathology. Swelling of the joints can be observed in such diseases as:

Rubella. The joints are involved symmetrically.
Mumps. Symptoms resemble rheumatoid arthritis.
Chicken pox. One or more joints swell for a short time.
Meningitis. Puffiness appears a week after the onset of the disease, one knee suffers, polyarthritis is less common.
Viral hepatitis. Swelling of the knees and hands precedes the development of jaundice.
HIV infection. The knees and ankles are more often affected, swelling is combined with severe pain, limitation of movement.

Arthropathy in endocrine pathologies

Articular changes develop against the background of endocrine diseases or normal age-related changes. Meet in the following cases:

Climax. Knees and feet are more likely to swell in overweight women. Stiffness, pain, crunch are observed.
Diabetes mellitus. The feet are affected, less often the knee, ankle joints, the hands are even more rarely affected. Swelling occurs due to edema and progressive deformity.
Hyperparathyroidism. Typical acute mono- or polyarthritis with short-term swelling of the joints.
Hypothyroidism. Large joints of the legs suffer. Puffiness, joint, muscle pains come to light.

Other arthropathies

Swelling may occur with bowel disease, vasculitis, certain medications, inflammation due to calcification:

Diseases of the intestines . Nonspecific ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease is sometimes accompanied by swelling, other symptoms of arthritis of the legs.
Vasculitis . Swelling of the joints, transient pain are noted in Wegener’s granulomatosis, Shenlein-Genoch disease, Kawasaki disease, Behcet’s syndrome.
Hydroxyapatite arthropathy. Calcium hydroxyapatite deposits form in periarticular tissues. One or more joints are involved. Swelling and soreness are minor.
Drug arthropathy. Develops with the use of NSAIDs, glucocorticoids, anti-tuberculosis drugs. Localization, severity of swelling, the presence of other symptoms depend on the type of drug.

Arthrosis

For the initial stages of arthrosis, swelling is uncharacteristic, occurs only during periods of exacerbations, is more pronounced with the development of synovitis. With the progression of the process, the swelling becomes permanent, the change in the contours of the joint is caused not only by swelling of the soft tissues, but also by bone deformities. The symptom is clearly visible in arthrosis of the knee joint, lesions of the hands with the formation of Heberden’s and Bouchard’s nodes.

Injuries

Swelling of varying degrees is accompanied by the following traumatic injuries:

Contusion. Edema is small, local, short-lived. The contours of the joint are not changed, the functions of the leg or arm are preserved, some limitation of movements is possible.
Ligament injury. The joint swells mainly in the projection of the damaged ligament. There are also bruises. The degree of edema increases in direct proportion to the severity of the injury. Functions are limited, instability is possible.
Dislocation. The contours of the joint are grossly disturbed, movements are impossible, the function is lost. The patient is experiencing very intense pain. With a fresh dislocation, the deformity visually predominates; in the absence of medical care, the edema progresses rapidly.
Intra-articular fracture. Diffuse swelling combined with very sharp pain, deformity, impossibility of support. Sometimes crepitus, pathological mobility are determined.

Hemarthrosis often occurs on the background of injuries. Due to the accumulation of blood, the joint becomes swollen, spherical. The swelling is diffuse, soft elastic or elastic. fluctuation is determined.

Other causes

Swelling of the periarticular region is accompanied by the following pathologies:

Soft tissue diseases : bursitis, tendinitis, tendovaginitis, enthesopathy.
Parasitoses : dracunculiasis, chinga.
Hematological diseases : sickle cell anemia.

Local swelling of the wrist joint occurs with hygroma, the back surface of the knee – with Becker’s cyst. Swelling, deformation are also detected in neoplasms originating from bone and cartilage tissue. Can be caused directly by neoplasia, reactive inflammation, synovitis.

Diagnosis

Rheumatologists deal with the cause of joint swelling. According to the indications, patients are referred to traumatologists-orthopedists, infectious disease specialists, endocrinologists, and other specialists. The doctor interrogates the patient, performs an external examination: studies the configuration of the joint, color, temperature of the skin, palpates, evaluates the range of motion. Depending on the results of the primary objective examination, the following diagnostic procedures may be prescribed:

Radiography. It is the basic research method, performed in two projections. The images visualize changes in the contours of the articular ends of the bones, narrowing of the joint space, marginal defects, areas of destruction, osteolysis.
Sonography. Used to study the condition of soft tissues. Detects effusion, hemorrhage, calcification in the periarticular structures. Allows you to quickly determine the cause of swelling.
CT and MRI . They are carried out at the final stage of the examination with ambiguous results of radiography and ultrasound. They make it possible to detail and differentiate inflammatory, tumor, traumatic lesions, to clearly determine the volume, localization of the pathological process.
Joint puncture. Indicated for synovitis, hemarthrosis. The resulting liquid is sent for bacteriological, cytological, immunological examination to clarify the nature of the disease.
Arthroscopy. Recommended for detailed visual examination of the joint, biopsy sampling. A biopsy is performed with suspicion of autoimmune arthritis, tuberculosis, neoplasm. Sometimes diagnostic arthroscopy is supplemented by therapeutic measures.
Laboratory tests . A general blood test confirms the presence of inflammatory changes, eosinophilia with allergies. According to the results of biochemical and serological analyzes (presence of rheumatoid factor, CRP, CEC), autoimmune diseases are confirmed.

Joint puncture

Treatment

Pre-hospital care

To reduce swelling, it is recommended to ensure rest, elevated position of the limb. In case of injuries, the leg is fixed with a splint, a scarf bandage is applied to the arm, cold is applied, and an anesthetic is given. In case of non-traumatic lesions with mild symptoms, short-term use of local anesthetics and anti-inflammatory drugs is acceptable. Progressive swelling, sharp pains, worsening of the general condition are the reasons for an immediate visit to the doctor.

Conservative therapy

Patients with traumatic injuries are treated with dislocations, reduced fractures, plaster casts, skeletal traction. The rest of the patients are recommended a protective regimen, selected taking into account the characteristics of the disease. Drug therapy includes the following:

Antibiotics . They are prescribed for infectious arthritis. First, broad-spectrum drugs are used, and then antibiotic therapy is adjusted taking into account the sensitivity of the pathogen. In severe cases, two-drug combinations are recommended.
NSAIDs . Reduce pain, reduce the severity of the inflammatory process. In the form of tablets and injections, they are usually used for a short time due to the negative effect on the gastric mucosa, the functioning of the liver, and kidneys. The application of gels, ointments is allowed for long courses.
Corticosteroids . They have a pronounced anti-inflammatory effect, are the basis of drug therapy for collagenoses. If necessary, combined with immunosuppressants.
Chondroprotectors . They improve the nutrition of cartilage tissue, contribute to its restoration by activating the synthesis of proteoglycans. Assigned intramuscularly, orally, injected directly into the joint cavity.
Vitamin-mineral complexes . Contribute to the correction of metabolic disorders, improve immunity, increase the effectiveness of drug therapy for joint diseases.

Other medicines include hormonal agents for the correction of endocrine disorders, chemotherapy drugs for the fight against malignant neoplasms. Drug therapy is supplemented with physiotherapeutic procedures: UHF, laser therapy, magnetotherapy, electrophoresis, and other methods. Patients are prescribed massage, exercise therapy. Perform intraarticular and periarticular blockade.

Surgical treatment

Tactics of surgical treatment is determined by the characteristics of the pathology:

Traumatic injuries : open reduction of dislocations, osteosynthesis of intra-articular fractures, plastic surgery of ligaments.
Infectious arthritis : arthrotomy and drainage of the joint, excision of the tuberculous focus, reconstructive interventions.
Tumors and tumor-like masses : removal of hygroma, excision of Baker’s cyst, resection of tubular bones, amputations, disarticulations.

In case of contractures and ankylosis caused by a pathological process in the joint, arthrodesis or arthroplasty is performed. According to the indications, endoprosthetics is performed.

Arthritis: description of the disease, causes, symptoms, cost of treatment in Moscow

Arthritis is an inflammatory disease of the joints. Unpleasant and painful sensations in a person appear with active movement, flexion, extension, walking (with an inflammatory process in the joints of the leg). In some cases, redness appears on the skin, which is located in the area of \u200b\u200bthe diseased joint, a person’s body temperature rises. With inflammation of one joint, the disease is called monoarthritis, with inflammation of several joints – polyarthritis. In the absence of treatment for arthritis of the joints, the risk of damage to all joint tissues increases. Namely: bones, cartilage, ligaments, tendons, surrounding muscles, synovial membrane. With a sudden onset of the disease, the patient is diagnosed with acute arthritis. If the disease progresses slowly, we are talking about chronic arthritis.

Depending on the causes of the disease, the signs of arthritis differ from each other. Reactive arthritis causes weakness and malaise. This is a manifestation of the initial stage of the disease. There may be a headache, an increase in body temperature of more than 38 degrees. A distinctive feature of reactive arthritis is asymmetric damage to the joints of the legs. In addition, there are symptoms of the inflammatory process in the genitourinary system. A person feels a burning sensation when emptying the bladder.

Rheumatoid arthritis is characterized by symmetrical joint damage. They swell and become inflamed. Pain is aggravated at night, almost in the morning. At the initial stage of the disease, physical exercises will help eliminate discomfort. With the progression of arthritis, this method will become ineffective. After the defeat of small joints, large ones fall under the influence. During this period, the formation of characteristic nodes occurs. They are presented in the form of small dense formations, which are located in the place where the joint is bent. The patient notes the presence of general malaise, loss of appetite, weakness. When the disease worsens, body temperature may rise. In some cases, the upper and lower extremities may become numb, pain in the chest area will appear when breathing. Also, the salivary glands become inflamed.

The onset of infectious arthritis is characterized by an acute onset. Among the symptoms of arthritis, one can distinguish an increase in body temperature of more than 39 degrees, chills, headache and muscle pain. Nausea and vomiting may occur. The affected joint will swell and change its shape. Increased pain is observed with movement. Pain can be transmitted to that part of the body that is located next to the affected joint. The area of skin near the affected joint will be hot.

With psoriatic arthritis, symptoms will appear gradually. The affected area swells, the temperature rises in it. The scalp and skin are covered with red spots. These spots are itchy and flaky. In addition, the nail plate is affected, their splitting occurs. This type of arthritis is characterized by damage to any joint. In most cases, the fingers are affected. Painful sensations at the initial stage may not appear, present only in the morning.

Osteoarthritis is a slow and gradual development of the disease. A characteristic symptom is the presence of a crunch. The disease affects the joints of the upper or lower extremities, the spine. Similarly, there is a traumatic form of arthritis. Manifested by painful sensations, swelling, crunching in the area of the inflammatory process.

Why the disease appears

The main and exact cause of arthritis has not yet been determined. Based on the statements of some doctors, it can be concluded that the disease appears in the presence of an infection, injury or allergy. Also, the disease provokes impaired metabolism, diseases of the central nervous system, beriberi.

When the immune system is impaired, persistent arthritis develops and joints are destroyed. The occurrence of autoimmune arthritis is observed after infection. At the same time, microbes serve as indirect provocateurs of the disease. When the immune system fails, the immune system attacks those cells that have fallen under the infection. First of all, the symptoms appear on the hands, then on the other joints. Left untreated, arthritis can lead to lifelong disability.

Considering the types and origin of arthritis, the following causes are identified:

Joint injury.
If a person is engaged in a professional sport, when the joints are subjected to constant excessive stress.
Overweight.
For congenital dislocation of the hip.
The presence of diseases of the central nervous system.
Penetration into the body of harmful bacteria, fungi, viruses.
Allergic reaction.
With diagnosed tuberculosis, gonorrhea, dysentery, gout.
If the endocrine system has ceased to function normally. This includes the hormonal restructuring of the female body during menopause.
With genetic predisposition.
If the body lacks vitamins, a person does not follow proper nutrition.
Excessive consumption of alcohol.
Regular hypothermia of the body.

Diagnostic measures

An integrated approach is required to make an accurate diagnosis and determine the type of disease. It consists of an examination, obtaining laboratory data and an instrumental diagnostic method. If a person has any signs of arthritis, it is imperative to visit a rheumatologist, traumatologist, infectious disease specialist, phthisiatrician and dermatologist. Each specialist conducts a conversation with a person, on the basis of which a detailed history of the disease is collected. At the end of the survey, a qualified doctor examines the affected joints, checks their sensitivity. And also, determines how mobile they are. Then the patient in the laboratory takes the necessary tests.

Specific blood parameters help to make a preliminary diagnosis:

Based on the general blood test, determine the rate at which erythrocytes settle. In the acute stage of the disease, this indicator will increase. If arthritis is bacterial in nature, leukocytes will increase, if allergic – eosinophils.
Based on a biochemical blood test, uric and sialic acid are determined. If arthritis provoked gout, these figures will be increased.
Based on immunological parameters, the presence of rheumatoid arthritis can be determined. This is evidenced by an increase in rheumatoid factor, the amount of antinuclear antibodies and the circulating immune complex.

Instrumental diagnostic methods:

An x-ray examination is performed (frontal, lateral and oblique projection). Thanks to this method, it is possible to determine the stage of arthritis and its type. The x-ray image shows damage to the joint, the localization of the inflammatory process that affected the bone tissue, as well as the presence of various neoplasms and degenerative changes.
With the help of ultrasound diagnostics, it is determined how much the large joints (shoulder, knee, elbow) are affected.
Carrying out computed tomography facilitates examination of the joint in several projections (transverse and longitudinal). In addition, this method determines the state of the soft tissues.
Another effective method is magnetic resonance imaging. With the help of MRI, you can carefully examine the state of the bone structures and soft tissues. The main indications for magnetic resonance imaging include damage to the intervertebral disc, nerve, ligament, etc.
Arthroscopy is an invasive endoscopic diagnostic method. It is used to study the condition of the knee joint. In some cases, during arthroscopy, a biopsy of the affected tissue and joint fluid is performed, which are then carefully studied.
Contrast arthrography contributes to the study of the state of cartilage tissues. In addition, this method will help to study the soft tissues and surrounding joints. Contraindications are the presence of acute arthritis and sensitivity to iodine.
With the help of myelography, you can study the state of the spine, spinal cord, roots. This method is used in combination with computed tomography.

Who is at risk

Osteoarthritis, in most cases, affects people who regularly put excessive stress on their joints. Salespeople, teachers, surgeons, hairdressers are more likely to develop acute arthritis of the spine. Football players face damage to the hip joints, boxers – with damage to the joints of the hand. Also, this type of arthritis can occur in a smoker or an obese person.

Gouty arthritis occurs most often in men over 60 years of age. In addition, people with hypertension, obesity, alcohol abusers, and impaired kidney function are included.

The development of rheumatoid arthritis occurs in women and those people whose close relatives are faced with such a disease. Infectious arthritis is most often diagnosed in a person with the HIV virus or gonorrhea. Also, infectious arthritis affects people diagnosed with cancer, diabetes, lupus erythematosus. Traumatic arthritis affects professional athletes. As a result of the regular formation of microcracks in the joint, an inflammatory process develops.

Degrees of the disease

At the initial stage of the disease, there are no symptoms, the organism becomes infected. The main features that require special attention include:

Presence of stiffness of movements. It shows up in the morning. A person cannot turn a water tap or a gas valve.
If the ankle joint is affected, habitual shoes press and cause discomfort. This is due to swelling. If you bend and unbend the ankle joint, there will be sharp pain.
In the presence of psoriatic arthritis, the pain appears at night and disappears in the morning.
When the disease affects the shoulder or knee joint, the pain quickly disappears.
The initial stage of arthritis is easily detected in young children. They stop running, play outdoor games, fall when walking.

At the onset of the second stage of the disease, pathological processes begin to develop. There is erosion on the bones. Articular tissues become thinner. In addition, the following signs appear:

The place near the affected joint swells up, a crunch appears.
When the knee joint is affected, the skin becomes red and hot. The intensity of discomfort increases in the morning.
In parallel with the crunching and swelling, there is severe soreness, which intensifies at night.
Arthritis of the hip can radiate pain to the knee area, causing the person to limp when walking.
If the shoulder joint is affected, it will be difficult to raise the arm.
If the arthritis is a consequence of psoriasis, the patient has swelling of the big fingers and toes. In this place salts of uric acid accumulate.

In the third stage, the following symptoms appear:

After the X-ray examination, the presence of a pronounced deformity of the joints is determined.
The patient is assigned a certain disability group.
There is a restriction of mobility, the person moves with difficulty.
The ability to move the hand gradually disappears.

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