Summary
Finger arthrosis particularly affects women. Presumably the mechanical overloading of the finger joints is not the primary cause of the joint wear and tear, but rather hormonal influences and genetic factors also play an important role. A preceding inflammatory rheumatic disease increases the risk of arthrosis in the finger joints.
The thumb saddle joint (rizzarthrosis) is particularly frequently affected. First, there is a loss of strength in the fingers when grasping or turning (turning the key, opening the bottle) and later, movement is restricted by bony attachments to the joints. Pain occurs particularly with acute inflammation due to abrasion products.
The deformation of the joint can lead to malpositioning. The strength, mobility and fine coordination of the hand are then impaired. More and more women are affected by finger arthrosis.
Mechanical stress plays less of a role in its development than hormonal and genetic factors or previous illnesses such as polyarthritis. This results in restricted mobility and painful inflammatory processes and the joint can deform. The strength of the surrounding musculature decreases.
In order to maintain the cartilage quality and mass as long as possible, gentle mobilization exercises and an interplay of loading and unloading are useful. Strengthening exercises should also be integrated into the exercise program. Manual mobilization and traction treatment are often used in physiotherapy.
In addition to immobilization with tape bandages, for example, heat or cold applications are also beneficial. Natural remedies can supplement the classic drug therapy from non-steroidal anti-rheumatic drugs and alleviate the symptoms of arthrosis of the finger joints.Hyaluronic acid injections are often performed to improve joint function. Arthrosis is a progressive disease. The patient should therefore carry out his or her exercise program regularly at home and pay attention to overloading the joints in everyday life in order to avoid it.
