Osteoarthritis of the upper limbs

Osteoarthritis is a common joint disease in which the articular cartilage is destroyed. Arthrosis of the joint is accompanied by pain during movement. In severe form, arthrosis leads to a complete loss of mobility and, as a consequence, to disability of the patient. In the early stages of the disease can be detected only on an X-ray. The sooner you diagnose arthrosis and begin proper treatment, the better the result. Further progression of the disease can be stopped with comprehensive timely treatment.

Osteoarthritis of the upper limbs can be of several types.

Osteoarthritis of the wrist joint.

Arthrosis is less common than others, but it is a serious disease because it affects the hands that play an important role in the process of self-service and work. The cause of arthrosis of the wrist joint can be inflammatory diseases or trauma. In older people, this disease is associated with age-related changes in cartilage. The constant overload of the joint, observed in people of certain professions, can serve the development of the disease. In this case, the joint is constantly getting microscopic damage, which in time can lead to the cracking of the cartilage.

When wrist arthrosis in patients is limited mobility and there is a lot of pain when trying to passive movement. In the joint there is a crunch and clicks. In the course of the disease, pain increases and loss of mobility occurs.

Treatment of arthrosis of the wrist joint is carried out by medications in combination with physiotherapeutic procedures. Patients are recommended to sanatorium treatment. To relieve pain, it is recommended to fix the joint for a long time with the help of a special bandage. If the pain can not be removed, various surgical procedures are performed. There are several options for surgical treatment of arthrosis of the wrist joint. For each specific case, the doctor chooses the necessary treatment based on X-rays. The goal of surgical treatment is to save the patient from pain by creating artificial immobility in the joint.

Osteoarthritis of the joints of the fingers.

Most often, arthrosis of small joints causes damage to the end segment of the fingers, which causes thickening of the joints. In rare cases, there is a lesion of the proximal joints of the thumbs. Osteoarthritis usually affects the joints of all fingers of the hand. Violation of the synthesis of intercellular substance, which is the cause of drying and cracking of cartilage. Then the disease affects the bone tissue, which begins to thicken, the outgrowths that cause deformation of the joint are formed. The process of movement is difficult, an inflammatory process occurs in the joints of the fingers. Movements deliver pain, muscles quickly atrophy. That in the end leads to the difficulty of elementary movements.

The reasons for the development of arthrosis of the finger joints can be:

• Occupational loads;
• Genetic predisposition;
• Metabolic disorders;
• Alcohol abuse;
• Endocrine pathology;
• Excessive load of joints;
• Infectious-allergic factors.

In order to achieve success in the treatment of arthrosis, it is necessary to strictly follow all the prescriptions of the doctor. An important place in the treatment of arthrosis of the fingers is massage and therapeutic gymnastics.