Joint swelling on the finger

Introduction

A joint swelling on the finger is a painless or even painful increase in the circumference of one or more affected joints. Often a joint swelling on the finger is accompanied by a significant restriction of movement. The causes of swelling of a finger joint can be very different. In addition to injuries, infections and rheumatic diseases, degenerative changes in the finger joints can also play an important role. In addition, a joint swelling can occur as a result of a dislocation of a finger joint.

Finger Arthrosis

A frequently occurring pathological change in the finger joints is finger arthrosis, which can manifest itself in both old and young people. Increased wear and tear of the joint cartilage results in cartilage damage to the finger joint, which cannot be healed. Defective cells of the cartilage are not able to renew themselves.

Therefore, the cartilage layer gradually decreases and loses elasticity until the complete cartilage of the joint surface is worn out. The finger bones that form the joint then lie freely on top of each other and can cause friction. Continued heavy strain on the affected finger joints also leads to changes or bones and ligaments and arthrosis develops.

Such cartilage damage can be caused by injuries, incorrect loading of the finger joints and also increased overloading. In addition, metabolic diseases, such as gout, can lead to cartilage damage and consequently to arthrosis of the fingers. The symptoms of finger arthrosis are pain, swelling of the affected finger joints, malpositions and often progressive restriction of movement of the affected finger joints.

A distinction is made between arthrosis in the finger joint area based on its localization. An arthrosis that manifests itself in one or more finger end joints is called siphoning arthrosis. Nodules or cystic changes form at the end joints, which can lead to malpositions and severe swelling of the fingers and restrictions in mobility during the course of the disease.

In the course of the disease, the end joints of the fingers become increasingly stiff, which can initially be loosened by increased movement of the fingers. In the worst case, a complete stiffening of the joints can occur. The causes of siphoning arthrosis are, in addition to incorrect loading and injuries, congenital malpositions or weaknesses of the joints or joint cartilage.

It is noticeable that women after menopause are often affected by siphoning arthrosis. An arthrosis of the middle finger joints is called Bouchard arthrosis. This form of arthrosis can also manifest itself in several of the middle finger joints, but is generally less common.

Here, too, nodules are formed in the area of the middle finger joints, which lead to a restriction of movement, swelling and deformation of the finger joints. In the early stages of the disease, patients complain of severe pain, which fades into the background as movement becomes increasingly restricted. An existing arthrosis in the finger area cannot be cured.

The mobility of the affected fingers can be promoted and largely maintained by physiotherapy exercises. Painkillers can be used to relieve the pain. To counteract inflammatory changes within the affected joints, substances containing cortisone can be injected directly into the joint space with the help of a syringe.