Osteoarthritis is degenerative changes in cartilage and joints. Most often the disease affects the fingers. The lining of the joints thickens and fluid accumulates in them.

With arthrosis, osteophytes or growths form on the phalanges of the fingers. Pathology is usually classified as a hereditary disease; the disease usually manifests itself among the female population.

Ladies get sick 10 times more often than men. Usually the thumb becomes inflamed (arthrosis of the thumb joint - see the video at the end of the article). At the first signs of illness, you should consult a doctor.


Osteoarthritis of the finger joints, if left untreated, can cause serious complications, including complete loss of function of the fingers.
Here are some signs:

  • Pain: when arthrosis is at an early stage, you will feel a monotonous burning sensation in your fingers. The pain will become more severe with more intense use of your hands. Over time, the cartilage deteriorates, leaving no protective cushion between your joints. This will cause pain even if you don't use your fingers and hands.
  • Edema: Without cartilage tissue, the delicate joints in your fingers become inflamed and your fingers may appear plumper than usual.
  • Rigidity: You may also experience stiffness in your joints caused by swollen cartilage and tissue. Joint stiffness usually worsens in the morning. You may also notice that your joints become stiffer after using your hands for a long time.
  • Cysts: The synovial fluid surrounding the joints flows into the cracks and forms cysts, which are small sacs. They usually appear at the ends of the fingers and can even occur under the nail, up to half a centimeter in size.
  • Deformations: your fingers appear misshapen because the cartilage wears unevenly. Over time, the ligaments and tissues that support joints become weak. These two problems cause deformities in your fingers.
  • Joint friction: Under normal circumstances, you do not feel the joints moving together because the layer of cartilage remains intact. Losing this layer allows the joints to touch each other and causes a creaking or rubbing sensation.
  • Warm: with serious damage, inflammation develops in the tissues and ligaments around. This may cause your joint to look red and feel warm to the touch.
  • Bone spurs: your body tries to repair any damage to your joints. In response to irritation of the bone and its surrounding structure, the creation of new bone is stimulated in the form of a projection called a bone spur (osteophyte). These knobby growths can cause your hands and fingers to become deformed. Over time, bone spurs make it difficult to use your fingers properly.

To diagnose arthrosis of the fingers, the patient is examined by a doctor, and the areas of concern are palpated. To make a more accurate diagnosis, an x-ray and blood test are performed. The finished images clearly show bone deformation. If the blood test is different from the norm and discrepancies are identified, then the doctor may assume the emergence of other, more serious diseases. Arthrosis of the fingers – photo:

Clinical picture of arthrosis

In the first stages, the disease is practically asymptomatic. But there is a group of signs that indicate the onset of the disease. Among them are the following symptoms:

  • swelling of the upper or middle phalanges of the fingers;
  • redness of the skin over the joints;
  • during movements, the fingers make a characteristic crunch;
  • After work, a person feels painful sensations, but they go away on their own. Over time, the pain becomes more and more prolonged.

At this stage of the disease, the nutrition of the cartilage is disrupted, the tissues lose their elasticity. The movements of the fingers are not yet impaired, their functions are preserved.


At the second stage, the following picture develops
:

  • pain in the joints is constant and does not stop even during rest;
  • the affected joints swell and are constantly in this state;
  • muscles atrophy in the deformation zone;
  • fingers lose their functions;
  • seals appear in the area of ​​the interphalangeal joints.

At the final stage of arthrosis, the fingers lose motor activity. The joints become deformed and lose activity. Patients are plagued by constant and intense pain, which can be relieved with painkillers.

Attention! The pathology is treated by a rheumatologist, orthopedist or arthrologist.

Causes of the disease

Arthrosis of the fingers is considered a pathology of older people, while arthrosis of large joints (hip or shoulder) is usually found among the middle-aged population.

In recent years, arthrosis in the hands has become more common among relatively young people.

The main factors influencing the development of pathology include:

  • genetic predisposition to arthrosis;
  • age-related changes in the composition of tissues, cartilage and joints;
  • large and permanent Loads on hands and fingers;
  • menopause in women– at this time, the production of estrogen hormones decreases, which leads to cartilage depletion;
  • disturbances in the functioning of the endocrine system, including diabetes mellitus;
  • gout;
  • injuries hands and fingers;
  • transferred infectious diseases;
  • constant hypothermia, weathering, vibration and others unfavorable environmental conditions.
Attention! If you have a genetic predisposition to the disease, you should regularly engage in prevention, since the likelihood of the disease is high.

Stages of arthrosis


There are three stages of disease development.

At the first stage, the joints remain mobile, the symptoms are very minor. Even an x-ray still does not show changes in the joints. When examining the fingers, the doctor visually identifies irregularities and tubercles in the interphalangeal space.

On the second stage begins the progression of the disease. The muscle tissue atrophies and the joint becomes deformed. The x-ray shows bone growths, osteophytes and irregularities. The joint space narrows significantly. Fingers lose a number of their functions. Heberden's nodes appear on the upper phalanges, and Bouchard's nodes on the middle phalanges.

For the third stage is characterized by pronounced changes in the joints. Motor skills are impaired, sometimes even complete immobilization of the hand occurs. The articular surfaces of cartilage can grow together.

Treatment of the disease

Rheumatologist Mikhail Borisovich Osipov advises: “How to treat arthrosis of the fingers: after relieving pain, you should undergo physiotherapeutic procedures, thanks to which blood circulation in the affected joints improves and their mobility is restored.” Physiotherapy includes electrophoresis, magnetic therapy, laser therapy, paraffin thermal applications, and ultrasound treatment.

Therapy is permanent, since arthrosis does not go away completely. But it is possible to achieve a state of stable remission. Treatment is most effective in the early stages of the disease; during this period it consists of improving the nutrition of joint tissues and stopping the process of cartilage destruction.

Classic drug therapy consists of several stages:

  • Sick it is necessary to relieve pain and relieve inflammation. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used for this. Among them: Nimesulide, Meloxicam, Celecoxib. The duration of use should not exceed 21 days, since the drugs negatively affect the digestive system. Voltaren or Diclofenac are used as local remedies, but ointments only reduce pain and do not treat sore joints.
Attention! After the pain has been relieved, you can use warming ointments: “Capsicam”, “Apizartron”, rubbing camphor alcohol has a beneficial effect. They accelerate blood circulation in the affected area.
  • If non-steroidal drugs fail to relieve pain, doctors prescribe glucocorticosteroids. These are hormonal drugs, the main components of which are methylprednisolone, triamcinolone, betamethasone. They are used as ointments or injections.
  • The main role in the treatment of arthrosis of the fingers is played by the use of chondoprotectors. These drugs improve tissue nutrition. The course of their use is long, about six months. Among the chondoprotectors used are: “Chondroitin”, “Structum”, “Mukosat”, “Alflutop”. The drugs are produced on the basis of chondroitin sulfate, hydrochloride, hyaluronic acid, glucosamine sulfate.

Disease prevention


Preventive measures include the following
:

  • regular but moderate physical activity– cartilage is nourished during movement;
  • stick to proper nutrition– the diet includes the maximum amount of collagen and excludes alcohol;
  • regular use of chondroprotectors;
  • It is recommended to keep your hands warm, During cold weather, you should definitely wear gloves, since arthrosis often occurs as a result of hypothermia.

Diet for arthrosis

A healthy diet during illness improves overall well-being and is aimed at restoring cartilage tissue. You cannot go on strict diets; nutrition must be correct and balanced.

  • compliance with the drinking regime– drink at least two liters of clean water a day;
  • reduce salt intake;
  • eat in small portions, follow portioned nutrition principles;
  • necessary give up sweets, any fast carbohydrates, fried and fatty foods;
  • include complex carbohydrates in your diet– whole grain bread, cereals, fruits;
  • the food consumed must be boiled, stewed or steamed;
  • restore cartilage tissue well jellies, jellies, jellied meats and other products containing gelatin;
  • eliminate fast food, semi-finished products and other harmful foods from the diet.

Maintaining a diet along with drug treatment improves the condition and promotes the patient’s recovery.

Useful video

Dr. Nikolai Karpinsky talks in accessible language about the treatment of arthrosis of the thumb:

Arthrosis is a disease in which cartilage tissue is destroyed. The disease usually affects the joints of the fingers. With timely treatment, stable remission can be achieved, but it is necessary to consult a doctor in time and regularly take a course of vitamins. If there is a genetic predisposition to arthrosis, then you should take chondoprotectors several times a year.

Search for a doctor based on the topic of the article

Nails are often exposed to very aggressive influences and are constantly in contact with the environment and various chemicals. Even if you pay enough attention to nail care,...

Arthritis is considered a dangerous disease that is prone to progression. The disease is an inflammatory process that affects the cartilage tissue and ligaments in the finger area. At the same time, the patient feels a strong...

For a long time, scientists believed that the patterns on our fingertips were designed to give us a stronger grip on objects. But in reality, they do not improve “grip” in any way, but rather reduce friction between the skin and the object, especially if it is smooth.

Researchers studied the friction hypothesis and found that skin behaves like rubber in this case. In fact, skin patterns on our fingers reduce our ability to grasp objects because they reduce the area of ​​contact with the thing we are holding. So the question remains, why do we have fingerprints? The theories are: better "grip" on rough or wet surfaces, protecting fingers from damage, and increased sensitivity.

So, fingerprints are the patterns on their tips. They appear when we are in the womb and they are fully formed by the seventh month. We all have unique, individual fingerprints for life. Even twins who have identical DNA have different fingerprints.

The prints are made up of patterns of arcs, loops, and whorls that form in the innermost layer of the epidermis: the basal cell layer. The basal cells continually divide and new cells move into the layers above. The number of basal cells in the fetus grows faster than in the outer layers of the epidermis and dermis. This powerful growth causes the layer of basal cells to form many patterns, and damage to the surface layer will not change the fingerprints.

Why do some people have no fingerprints?

Dermatoglyphia refers to our individual patterns on our fingers, palms, feet and toes. The absence of these patterns is caused by a rare genetic condition called adermatoglyphia. Scientists have discovered a mutation in the SMARCAD1 gene, which is the cause of the development of this condition.
Fingerprints are fully formed by 24 weeks of gestation and do not undergo any changes throughout life, but the factors underlying the formation and structure of fingerprints during embryonic development are not yet well understood. Although there is still a certain gene that is involved in the development of patterns on the fingers, as well as the development of sweat glands.

Finger patterns and bacteria

Researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder have demonstrated that bacteria found on skin can be used as personal identifiers because they are unique even among identical twins. And these bacteria remain on objects that a person touches. By studying the DNA of bacteria found on the surface, we can match it with the hands of the person who left these bacteria. In fact, it is an analogue of a fingerprint, very unique and capable of remaining unchanged for several weeks. Bacterial testing can be a useful tool in forensic identification when it is not possible to isolate human DNA or obtain clear fingerprints.

Have you ever wondered where finger names come from? Each of them has its own explanation.

Thumb

When looking at the names of the fingers, it’s probably worth starting with the “big” one. Following logic, it should be called a little differently. For example, “extreme” or “short”. After all, this is far from the largest finger on the human hand. However, it is quite massive compared to others. In addition, in some sources the word “big” is associated with the word “main”. Probably everyone has noticed that the outermost fleshy finger is one of the most active during actions performed by the hands.

In palmistry, this finger is under the protection of Venus. By its structure, one can determine the degree of willpower, charisma, logic, as well as business and physical activity of a person.

Forefinger

In Ancient Rus', the names of the fingers were somewhat different from modern ones. So the “index” was called “finger”. By the way, this is why rings are called rings. There is nothing mysterious in the modern name, everything is extremely logical. When we want to show something or give direction, we do it with the second finger. You can also use it to express your disapproval or order to remain silent. That's why it's called "index".

In palmistry it is considered the finger of Jupiter. He is responsible for pride and wisdom. Also, its structure determines the degree of egoism and desire to be a leader.

Middle finger

Studying the names of the fingers, the idea arises that it was the “middle” one that should have been called the big one. Indeed, it is the longest among its brothers. Nevertheless, it is customary that this finger is named by its location. Interestingly, in Spanish it is called the “finger of the heart.”

In palmistry, the middle finger is under the protection of the planet Saturn. It determines mental abilities, logical thinking, efficiency and success in business.

Ring finger

If you start looking at your fingers, their names may raise some questions. For example, why “Nameless”? To begin with, it is worth noting that this finger is quite passive and almost never does anything alone. As a rule, its functions are most actively manifested while playing musical instruments, as well as typing on the keyboard.

It is worth noting that the “ring” finger is not such in all cultures. In most European countries it is called “ring”, because it is on it that rings are put on during marriage. But the Tatar and Persian peoples, by analogy with the Slavs, call the fourth finger “ring”. It is believed that in ancient times it was endowed with magical powers and people were afraid to pronounce its name, and therefore it remained unknown to posterity.

There are a lot of interesting facts associated with the ring finger. So, in Ancient Egypt they believed that a vessel came from it that led to the heart. It was probably this statement that began the tradition of wedding rings. Also, many researchers claim that there is a connection between the length of this finger and a person’s character. The longer it is, the more successful the person will be in the financial sector. This situation also indicates a high level of testosterone in the blood.

In palmistry, the ring finger is called the finger of Apollo. Its structure testifies to the magnitude of talent and creativity. It also symbolizes family happiness.

Little finger

Considering the name of a person’s fingers, the turn comes to the “little finger”. Translated from the Old Russian language, this word means “the youngest.” Indeed, this finger is the thinnest and smallest on the human hand.

The planet Mercury is considered the patron saint of the little finger in palmistry. This area is responsible for oratory abilities and the ability to express oneself. Also, the structure of the finger may indicate a tendency towards wealth. It also determines a person’s dexterity and luck.

Ancient Rome

The name of the fingers on a person's hand differed at different times and in different civilizations. In Ancient Rome there was a certain mythical overtones. Here's the most interesting thing about fingers:

  • The middle finger, translated into Russian, was called “dirty.” The reason is simple. It was with this finger that the Romans performed hygienic procedures in the toilet.
  • The ring finger was called "clean". The ancient Romans noticed that this finger practically does not take part in any household activities. People were so sure of its purity that even pharmacists mixed their medicines with this finger.
  • The little finger was called the “ear”. This is because it was most convenient to clean the ears with a thin and flexible finger, which the Romans did until a certain time.

Conclusion

The names of fingers is an entertaining topic that is sure to interest any person at least once. But what’s even more interesting is that fingers can influence a person’s destiny. Palmists believe that if you put a ring on a certain finger, you can activate or, conversely, dampen some of a person’s abilities.

“He sets a seal on every man’s hand, that all men may know his work” (Job 37:7).

Each of us is a unique and unrepeatable creation of God. And God's seal on each person's hand - confirmation of His authorship - is also absolutely individual. The Creator gave man individual prints (papillary patterns) on his fingers and palms, and in the whole world there is not a single person with the same prints as you. This is one of the reminders that man did not happen by chance, that each of us is unique and is not a copy of someone else.

  • A long time ago, a man noticed patterns on the pads of his fingers. For example, the Chinese began to use a thumbprint as a signature about 2000 years ago.
  • But it was only relatively recently, at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, that people began to use fingerprints to identify criminals. The basis of the modern classification system for papillary patterns was developed by the Englishman Sir Edward R. Henry, who was the Inspector General of Police in Bengal. His system turned out to be so successful that it is used in many countries today, or forms the basis for other systems.
  • To this day, there has never been a single case where the fingerprints of two people were the same.
  • Fingerprints appear in a person in the womb, at the age of 18 weeks after conception. They remain unchanged throughout life, while other lines on the palms are constantly changing.
  • Even identical twins who have identical DNA will always have different fingerprints.
  • No matter how a person tries to change the papillary lines, it is impossible (history knows of many similar attempts, including by transplanting the skin of another person onto the fingers - but the pattern is restored over time).
  • The fingerprints of the right and left hands are not mirror images. They are not even close.
  • In addition to fingerprints and palm prints, humans have unique tongue prints, and cats and dogs have unique nose prints.
  • Identification of a person by the pattern of his iris is also increasingly used. It, like the papillary patterns, is also unique. But recording and analyzing prints is often more convenient and simpler, since this process does not require the use of complex equipment (as is the case with the iris). Also today there are many other fairly accurate identification methods based on the analysis of various parameters and characteristics of the body, in general they are called biometrics.
  • The papillary patterns of koala fingers are so similar to human fingerprints that even experts could confuse them when examining a crime scene.
  • Iodine vapor is used in forensics to detect fingerprints on banknotes.
  • The scientific discipline that studies the signs of papillary patterns on the skin of the palms and soles of a person is called dermatoglyphics, A fingerprinting- This is a method of recognizing (identifying) a person using these patterns.
  • Each race has characteristic papillary patterns, and an experienced dermatoglyph will be able to distinguish a representative of the Caucasian race from, for example, a Mongoloid race, by their fingerprints
  • Dermatoglyphics can help identify some hidden diseases, or a tendency to them, since certain signs of papillary patterns are markers of some chromosomal, multifactorial or neurological diseases, as well as some intellectual disabilities.

Palmistry

Do not confuse dermatoglyphics and palmistry - a pseudoscientific theory that claims that the lines on the skin of a person’s fingers and palms speak about his fate, or that they encrypt data about the character or individual characteristics of this person. Essentially, palmistry is a form of fortune telling (along with astrology). The Lord forbids us to do such things. The fate and all events of a person’s life are determined by his free choice and God’s providence, and not by some rigid program that can be displayed and read on the surface of the palm. No lines on the hand or constellations can under any circumstances predetermine or show our fate!

How are fingerprints formed?

Human and animal skin consists of two layers epidermis and skin itself (dermis, or corium). In cold-blooded animals, the epidermis covers the dermis completely smoothly, without forming any folds. But in mammals, these two layers of skin in certain places fit closer to each other, which is why, connecting with each other and interpenetrating into each other, they form folds - papillary patterns.

These folds help hold objects in your hands. The surface of the leather is created on the same principle as the surface of car tires, increasing the friction force. (See also the article Why our fingers become wrinkled from being in water for a long time). In addition, this structure of the surface of the fingers protects them from blisters, otherwise the two layers of skin could easily separate, allowing fluid to collect in the resulting space, thereby forming a blister.

In most mammals, these “folds” are scattered chaotically, without forming any pattern. In monkeys, they are located in parallel lines, so their “fingerprints” are very similar. But in people these lines form a very specific unique pattern.

The basis for the modern classification of fingerprints for identifying people was laid by the Englishman Sir Edward R. Henry, who was the chief of police in Bengal. His system served as the foundation for the modern system, which is still used in many countries around the world. According to this system, the elements of a fingerprint pattern are divided into loops, double loops, nested loops, curls, arcs, and complex figures. A trivial calculation of the number of elements of different types and the distances between them allows us to assign each finger to a specific group. To fully describe the fingerprint characteristics of a particular person, the prints of all ten fingers are taken into account.

However, by looking at your hands, you can make a primary diagnosis for yourself and know which specialist to turn to for treatment. What should you pay attention to?

Fingers with large joints

Tumors around small joints - such as finger joints - are usually caused by the accumulation of fat cells, including cholesterol. They have a whitish-yellowish color and are especially clearly visible when the joints are bent. Clench your fist and look at your hand: if you find signs of xanthoma (that’s what these bumps are called), run to a cardiologist - you clearly have an excess of cholesterol in your blood. If you don’t go on a diet and start taking the right medications, this could all end in a heart attack.

Concave nails

The normal shape of a human nail is convex. If your nails bend in the wrong direction or develop bumps and dents on them, you clearly lack iron. A deficiency of this substance is called anemia and is accompanied by fatigue, frequent dizziness, drowsiness and even fainting. Multivitamins or a good diet will help improve the situation. Eat more seafood (squid, mussels), veal and chicken liver, beans, drink pomegranate juice and cocoa. The daily intake of iron is 18 mg.

Blue fingertips

Based on the condition of your fingers, lips and nails, your doctor can accurately determine whether there is enough oxygen circulating through your body along with the blood. An unnatural color means a deficiency or improper circulation of this substance, and this is already a sign of heart disease.

Lumps on nails

Small round bumps that look like drops of wax form on the nails due to infection of the blood vessels located near the nail. The root cause of this condition may be rheumatoid arthritis (or, in other words, infectarthritis). Even if joint pain does not bother you, it is better to consult a doctor. The more fingers are affected, the more cause for concern you have.

Shovel fingers

This is the name given to fingers with an extended round end and an overly wide nail. In this case, the nail is, as a rule, strongly curved and, as it grows, turns inward (see picture). This deformation occurs due to a lack of oxygen in the blood, which, in turn, can be caused by serious diseases of the lungs or heart. Typically, “shovel” fingers signal to doctors that the patient needs to be checked for mesothelioma (lung tumor) and even cancer.

Hard growths on the knuckles

Pea-sized growths indicate the presence of osteoprosis of the hip or knee joints. A study conducted back in the 70s of the last century showed that 62% of patients with osteoporosis develop such bumps.

Red palms

If your palms are unnaturally red all the time, check your liver: this could be a sign of cirrhosis or hepatitis. Pay special attention to the outer side of the hand - near the little finger. The small blood vessels located there dilate due to hormonal changes associated with liver damage.

Two-tone nails

The coloring of the nails is too uneven (at the bottom, closer to the skin, the nail is light, and at the top it is almost brown), and the border between the colors is clearly visible. This condition is associated with the accumulation of a special substance under the nails, which, normally, should be processed by the kidneys. So go to a nephrologist: two-color nails can signal serious malfunctions in the functioning of internal organs.

Sweaty palms

This is the first sign of hyperthyroidism, which most often affects women. The disease lies in the fact that the thyroid gland produces too much of a hormone that regulates metabolism. As a result, the body uses much more energy and, accordingly, releases much more of it outward. Hence the constant feeling of heat and sweating.

Palms too big

The swelling and development of too large palms is called acromegaly and is associated with a malfunction of the pituitary gland (a gland located in our brain). The pituitary gland secretes too much growth hormone, which can affect more than just the hands - large ears, nose, large lips and feet can also be a sign of a disorder. Typically, this condition is caused by a benign tumor of the pituitary gland, affecting men and women after 45 years of age and in rare cases leading to death.