Arthritis In Fingers: Information And Treatment Options

A lot of people have arthritis in fingers, which is characterized by pain and swelling on the joints of this area of the body. By definition, joints are the regions in which two bones are attached to each other or joined together. These regions are called junctions wherein there are specialized surfaces allowing for smooth and unhindered motions. The surfaces are called cartilages which are the tissues that are damaged in people who have arthritis.

 

Arthritis In Fingers – Types And Treatment

 

There are two common types of arthritis in fingers that may occur. These are termed osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoathritis is also more popularly known as the wear and tear arthritis and is the most common type that’s observed in the fingers. This is characterized by a steady wearing away of the cartilage in the region thereby causing exposure of the bone at the joint. This is usually found where the knuckles are, at the middle finger and the fingertip which are the PIP and DIP joints, respectively. Also a common place for osteoarthritis is at the joint at the thumb’s base.

 

Another type of arthritis in fingers is rheumatoid arthritis. This causes a different kind of damage to the joints wherein a systemic medical condition is experienced by the patient. There are a variety of problems involved in rheumatoid arthritis. Included in this list is the inflammation of the soft tissue that is enclosing the joint. These areas are usually found in the knuckles and the base of the fingers or the MCP joints.

In order for a physician to treat and manage arthritis properly, it is important that an early diagnosis of the medical condition is made. That is why it is vital for you to know the symptoms of finger arthritis. These include pain in the joint and its nearby regions, swelling and stiffness accompanied by a fever that elevates during the day and peters out during the night. As the disease gradually progresses, loss of motion will result thereby affecting the patient’s capacity to go through his daily activities of living.

 

People who have arthritis in fingers experience great discomfort which may hugely affect their moods and lifestyle. However, if this disease is detected early and proper management is done, it is still possible to live a healthy and fruitful life. There are several options that a person with finger arthritis can consider in order to alleviate pain and prevent further damage to his joints and his cartilages.

 

Treatment options for finger arthritis are the application of anti inflammatory medications, joint supplements, cortisone injections, hand therapy, ice and heat treatment to the affected area, splints, and surgical operations. Joint supplements consist of chondroitin and glucosamine which are vital substances needed for building cartilages. Taking in prescribed doses of supplements containing these chemicals may be helpful to prevent further damage to your joints.

 

Arthritis In Fingers – Conclusions

 

Cortisone Injections may also be applied to the hands just as long as the shots are limited and carefully supervised by a licensed physician. Hand therapy is helpful in order to keep the motion on the hands and stop stiffening of the joints. Be sure to get a licensed physical therapist for this as improper hand exercises or excessive movements can cause major discomfort or permanent damage to the already vulnerable joints of the hand.

 

All in all, arthritis in fingers is manageable, with proper treatment and patient consideration of the person affected by the disease.

 

Image: Maggie Smith / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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