Operation
If conservative treatment options can no longer alleviate the symptoms, surgical measures may be considered. In case of siphoning arthrosis, there is the possibility of surgical joint stiffening, arthrodesis. The advantage of this operation is that the pain caused by arthrosis is usually well eliminated.
The disadvantage of the operation is that the finger end joints are fixed in a slightly bent position. The joints are consequently stiffened and lose their mobility. Overall, however, the mobility of the fingers is hardly affected if the joints at the base and middle of the fingers are free to move.
Can nutrition influence siphoning arthrosis?
Basically, it is said that a healthy diet and a normal body weight have a positive effect on joint diseases such as arthrosis. However, siphoning arthrosis affects the joints of the hand farthest from the body, which are not affected by body weight. Other joints, such as the knee or hip joint, are clearly negatively affected by poor nutrition and excess weight, as the joints are put under greater strain.
Body weight seems to play a less important role in siphoning arthrosis. However, it is said that certain foods such as leek, garlic and onion have a protective effect on the joint cartilage. They are said to slow down the development of arthrosis. In addition, calcium-rich foods such as low-fat dairy products, unsaturated fats such as olive oil and cold-water fish are said to have a beneficial effect on osteoarthritis.
How can we distinguish siphoning arthrosis from rheumatism?
Arthrosis and rheumatism are often confused with each other.However, the clinical pictures differ in many ways. In the case of Heberden’s arthrosis, the cartilage layers of the joints are affected, often by overloading, age and hormonal changes. In rheumatoid arthritis, or rheumatism for short, the immune system is disturbed, resulting in joint inflammation.
Heberden’s arthrosis tends to develop gradually over the years, while rheumatism develops in phases. In addition, siphoning arthrosis is a specific form of arthrosis affecting the end joints of the fingers. Rheumatoid arthritis can affect all joints of the body, whereby the finger end joints are very rarely affected.
In the case of siphoning arthrosis, the affected people suffer from pain at an early stage when they move. The pain gets worse as it progresses and the joint function is increasingly restricted. In the case of rheumatism, those affected suffer from strong general symptoms such as fever and muscle pain, symmetrical joint swelling in both hands, pain at rest and morning stiffness. Organs and vessels can also be affected.
