Facet joint arthropathy is a disease that destroys the cartilage layer between joints.This disease affects the joints of the hands, fingers, and feet.Osteoarthritis is less common in small joints than in large joints.The disease often occurs in old age.
disease mechanism
Arthropathy begins with disruption of blood circulation in the subchondral layer of the periostium.Because of this, the nutrition of cartilage becomes poor, it loses elasticity, becomes thin, and cracks appear.The amount of synovial fluid decreases and the joints become inflamed due to intense friction.
Progressive joint disease is very dangerous.If treatment of the hand and foot joints is not started promptly, the joints can begin to take on an unnatural, ugly shape and may lose mobility.
The disease often occurs in menopausal women.Hormone levels in women change and less estrogen is produced.As a result, the body loses a lot of water, making cartilage and joints more fragile.
Species
Depending on the location, arthropathy can be divided into two types:
- Joints of hands and fingers.
- The small joints of the foot, the big toe.
Arthritis of hand and finger joints
Hand joints are commonly seen in typists, pianists, programmers, and secretaries.The disease affects the interphalangeal joints.In finger joint disease, the joint tissue dries out and breaks down.Small subcutaneous nodules often appear at the joints of the hands.Usually they no longer disappear.
As the disease progresses, the bone tissue becomes denser and growths appear on it.They can cause severe pain when the fingers are moved.In severe cases, a person can lose the ability to move their hands and fingers.
Symptoms of the disease: creaking of the joints when moving the fingers, pain in the fingers after movement, sealing of the finger joints, and swelling of the tissues around the joints.
Arthropathy of foot joints
Ballet dancers, gymnasts, wrestlers, and high jumpers are all susceptible to podiatry.The disease affects the joints of the toes.Bone spurs appear in the small joints of the feet.Because of them, it becomes painful for a person to move his feet.As the disease progresses, joint deformation becomes so pronounced that patients can barely move their feet.
Osteoarthritis of the big toe is the most common type of joint disease in the foot.When the disease occurs, "bone" can form in the thumb joint area.Osteoarthritis of the big toe occurs from wearing tight shoes.
Symptoms of foot arthrosis: pain in the foot after physical activity, creaking of the joints during activity, and increased joint size.When walking, the person limps and leans on the outer edge of the foot.
Cause of occurrence
Arthropathy can be primary or secondary.
Primary arthropathy occurs due to problems with the cartilage tissue of the joints, namely:
- Hereditary disorders of the tissue components of articular cartilage;
- Hypermobility of joints;
- Dysplasia, flat feet, wide feet.
Secondary arthropathy is the result of joint damage and other diseases.The reasons include:
- Injury, joint micro-injury;
- Acute and chronic arthritis, synovitis;
- Metabolic disorders, lack of calcium, phosphorus and other minerals;
- Gout, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis;
- Diabetes and other endocrine diseases.
risk factors
Risk factors for the disease include:
- genetic predisposition;
- Heavy physical work, heavy load on the finger joints;
- Being overweight and drinking too much alcohol;
- Wearing uncomfortable tight-fitting high heels for long periods of time;
- sedentary lifestyle;
- Hypothermia of the feet.
If your job frequently puts pressure on your finger or toe joints, or if you have a relative with facet joint arthritis, you should consider prevention.We will talk about it at the end of the article.
symptom
Symptoms of arthrosis in the small joints of the feet, fingers, and hands include:
- Pain in hands and feet that either subsides or returns;
- Moving your fingers or toes causes pain;
- The joints swell, bend, and straighten with a "crunching" sound;
- Inflammation of the tissue surrounding the joint;
- Changes in the shape of the joints - they thicken, Hebden's and Bouchard's nodules appear;
- Reduced sensitivity of fingertips.
Stages of facet joint arthrosis
The disease has three stages.
- The first stage of the disease is accompanied by periodic pain in the joints of the fingers or toes during active movement or work.The pain will lessen with rest.The joint may begin to break down, and swelling may occur near the joint.
- Second stage of arthrosis.As the disease progresses, the pain increases and persists.Moving your fingers can cause pain.Hebden's nodes and Bouchard's nodes form at joints.Their appearance is accompanied by burning sensation and pain.After a few months, the redness and swelling disappear and the nodules harden.
- The third stage of facet joint arthritis is the most severe.Fingers and toes become deformed and almost impossible to move.The area around the affected joint becomes red and swollen.Severe pain in the joints is felt not only during exercise but also at rest.It is difficult for a person to walk alone, and going up and down stairs is a challenge for him.
diagnosis
If you notice symptoms of arthrosis in your facet joints, see an orthopedic surgeon immediately.The disease is treatable in its early stages.In the second and third stages, you can only slow down its development.
In order to diagnose arthropathy of the facet joints, a comprehensive study is required.With its help, doctors will determine the cause of the disease and prescribe effective treatment.The initial appointment is made with a neurologist and orthopedic surgeon.They use the following methods to accurately diagnose arthropathy of the joints of the hands and feet:
- MRI.magnetic resonance imaging
- Ultrasound examination (ultrasound)
- Densitometry
- Electrocardiogram (ECG)
- Daily EKG monitoring
- Comprehensive physical examination (physical examination)
- Body bioimpedance analysis as part of the "Smart Weight Loss" program
- laboratory research
How We Treat Facet Joint Arthritis
A comprehensive approach is the best way to deal with this disease.Our doctors use non-surgical methods to treat arthropathy of the facet joints.They stop the progression of disease and heal the entire body.
The attending physician will consider the cause, condition, age, gender and physical characteristics of the patient to develop a personalized treatment plan for the patient.Joint treatment of the small joints of the feet, hands and fingers can take up to a month and a half.Patients undergo surgery 2-3 times per week.After the first week of treatment, joint pain will disappear.The treatment process includes the following steps:
- Percussive vibration therapy on the device
- High intensity magnetic therapy
- Isometric exercise therapy using the Pilates method
- Resonant Wave Ultra High Frequency Therapy
- Fermat tube injection
Treating facet joint arthritis in the clinic can relieve joint pain and inflammation.The patient's blood circulation and cartilage nutrition are improved, and the destruction of cartilage tissue and joints is stopped.Our doctors can advise you on steps you can take on your own to prevent this disease.
prevention
Doctors at Health Seminar recommend avoiding joint problems:
- Walk, run, swim, water aerobics, and ski more often;
- Don’t get too cold;
- Monitor your weight;
- Avoid joint injuries;
- Wear comfortable shoes for walking.
When it comes to nutrition, we recommend following these principles:
- Eat more avocado, grapefruit, and kiwi fruit;
- Limit consumption of tomatoes and beans;
- Add cartilage, gelatin, garlic to your diet;
- Eat less fatty and fried meat, sugar, chocolate, coffee, and biscuits;
- Quit smoking and drinking;
- Drink at least two liters of water every day.
therapeutic massage
To prevent joint disease of the hands and fingers, perform the following exercises:
- Rub your palms together.
- Rub the fingers of one hand against the fingers of the other hand, first from the root to the direction of the nail, and then in the opposite direction.
- Bend and straighten your fingers 10 times without making a fist.
- Press the fingers of one hand onto the fingers of the other hand with palms pressed together.
- Spread your palms apart and continue pressing your fingers together.