Causes

The causes for the development are different. While arthrosis of the finger joints can also be caused by poorly healed fractures close to the joint and poorly healed extensor tendon damage can also be recognized as a cause, the factor of heredity (genetic cause) plays a far greater role. In addition, an above-average number of women suffer from osteoarthritis during and after the menopause, so that hormonal components may also be the cause.

The risk of osteoarthritis also increases as a result of multiple overstretching of previously damaged ligaments on the finger. The symptoms of osteoarthritis differ depending on the affected joint. In the case of arthrosis of the end joints of the fingers, a so-called siphoning arthrosis, nodules on the end joints of the fingers can be palpated at an early stage.

In the case of arthrosis of the middle finger joints (Bouchard arthrosis), these nodules also occur. At the same time, there are frequent complaints of swollen middle finger joints. In the case of arthrosis of the thumb saddle joint, rhizarthrosis, pain initially occurs only under stress, later at rest.

The tricky thing here is that the pain can radiate into the forearm, hand or other areas.If you have one or more of the following typical signs of finger arthrosis, you should consult a doctor:

Pain (including pain in the finger end joints)
Stiffener
Nodules
Swelling
Restricted movement
Reduction of strength in the affected finger joints.

The doctor is usually unable to say exactly what the cause of the symptoms is. There are several factors that individually or together can lead to wear-related joint disease of the fingers.

Mechanical causes of finger arthrosis include poorly healed bone fractures and not well healed extensor tendon injuries.
A genetic component is discussed by rheumatologists and other specialists.
It could be shown that arthrosis occurs more frequently in the family environment of the affected person.
Women in the menopausal years suffer above average from finger arthrosis, so there is very likely a connection with hormone balance. Exactly which hormones are responsible for this has not yet been determined. Above all, sex hormones must play an important role.
Bleeding into the joint can damage the cartilage because the body’s own macrophages in the blood eat away at the cartilage tissue and damage it.
If the cartilage is damaged, it roughens and becomes thinner. The cartilage can no longer perform its functions properly, such as absorbing shocks or distributing pressure evenly. The bone beneath the cartilage is exposed to extreme stress in some places.

The bone reacts to this new load by increasing its mass and forming small bone attachments at the edges. Unfortunately, these measures do not work as well as the cartilage itself. This results in abrasion and thus irritation of the joints.

The synovial membrane produces more tissue fluid (synovia). An effusion forms in the joint. The synovia contains more inflammatory cells than normal tissue fluid.

The joint becomes warm, red and swollen.
Crystals of uric acid (urate crystals) can be deposited in the joints in certain clinical pictures such as gout or pseudo-gout (chondrocalcinosis) and contribute to wear and tear of the joint cartilage.
A congenital malposition of the fingers leads to an unphysiological strain on the joints. This results in a higher pressure load than with a normal position of the joints. This can lead to changes due to wear and tear.
There are also drugs that can cause wear and tear of the cartilage and thus lead to finger arthrosis or other joints.
Antibiotics such as gyrase inhibitors (fluoroquinolones such as ciprofloxacin or levofloxacin) are among these drugs. Taking them can lead to a clumping of magnesium particles in tissues with poor blood supply. As a result, damage to the connective tissue occurs that cannot be repaired. Premature degradation of the joint cartilage can occur.
As with many other diseases, overweight is a risk factor in finger arthrosis and arthrosis in general. A balanced diet and a reduction in body weight to a normal body mass index (BMI) of 18-25 kg/m2 is useful for the prophylaxis of the disease.