Arthritic Fingers

Arthritis is a condition where the cartilage between the bones of a joint wears away causing the bones to come in direct contact. People suffering from this condition typically experience immense pain that aggravates with any movement of the joint. This condition can also affect the joints in the fingers. The human finger consists of three bones and three joints. Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are both medical conditions that can affect these joints. The former involves rapid degeneration of joint cartilage and mostly affects the joints at the knuckles and joints at the base of the thumb, while the latter is characterized by the inflammation of the synovial membrane, which lines the joints. This results in a systemic degradation of the cartilage, thereby causing painful arthritic fingers.

Symptoms

When joints in the fingers are affected by this disease, one is most likely to experience joint pain. Pain may also be accompanied by swelling and stiffness. Symptoms may also include development of lumps around the knuckles indicating formation of osteophytes. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis can develop deformities, known as ulnar drifts, where the diseased finger joint points sideways away from the thumb.

Treatment

Medications: The treatment includes the use of anti-inflammatory medications. Cortisone injections may be taken for severe cases of pain, but it should be recommended by a physician. Cortisone injection can be applied on the joint for fast relief from severe pain in fingers.

Therapy: Occupational and physical therapy is a type of non-operative treatment that is primarily aimed at anticipating and preventing symptoms and pain. The patient may have to undergo periods of rest and may be recommended topical rubs to relieve the pain and correct the joint disorder condition. Therapy usually covers a number of exercises that the patient is asked to perform between periods of pain. Arthritic water exercises are to be done only in that part of the body where it is affected by this condition. These exercises are beneficial for treating weak joints and are easy to perform.

Surgery: Surgery may involve the fusion of joint bones where the individual bones are allowed to grow and fuse to become one. The fusion process requires surgery and runs the risk of the bones not totally fusing. Treatment of joints by fusion bones results in permanent loss of movement of the associated bones. In severe cases, joint replacement surgery may be required. In this surgery, the joint is removed and replaced by an artificial one. The damaged joint, along with damaged parts of the bone and associated tissues will be removed. Channels will be prepared in the bones to place the artificial implant. Once surgery is done, the patient is typically required to rest and also undergo therapeutic exercise until normal movement is regained.

Drug therapy will help in alleviating the symptoms. One must also follow the dietary guidelines and lifestyle-related changes that have been suggested by doctors.