The tips of your fingers or toes hurt. Causes

At times, while doing routine tasks, worries, or relaxing, you experience pain in the fingertips? How to react if this pain recurs periodically? What do such painful moments indicate? What to do and how to deal with this?

The human hand has 14 joints connecting the phalanges of the fingers. Each joint is like a small hinge, which is activated by a system of muscles of the forearm and a complex system of tendons, which are located along the palm of the hand to the wrist joint. Therefore, you need to handle your hands with care, avoiding inflammation or damage to the joints, since such injuries can lead to the loss of the ability to move them.

Diseases that develop in the joints of the fingers can be extremely difficult to cure. And even after successful courses of treatment, a residual phenomenon may appear – some stiffness, discomfort or pain in the fingertips. In some cases, subsequent injuries may be reflected in the appearance of the fingers – they may remain curved or move incorrectly.

So, if the fingertips or middle phalanges swell, this indicates the appearance of a disease in your life called osteoarthritis deformans. This disease occurs mainly in older people and appears as “knots” on the fingers. Typically, this disease does not cause much discomfort and is treated with a course of regular mobility exercises and fine motor skills of the hands.

Causes of pain in the fingertips

Pain in fingertips need to be locally divided into two camps – hands and feet – since the causes of pain in the tips of the toes and hands are different and indicate different diseases.

However, we can safely say that the causes of pain in the fingertips are not only a mechanical problem in the form of a bruise or other injury, but more often it is a manifestation of some kind of internal disease that is skillfully disguised.

Symptoms of pain in the fingertips

Symptoms of pain in the fingertips can be quite varied. Temporary numbness of the phalanges of the fingers, burning or tingling may foreshadow an impending wave of pain. Also, with the possible imminent onset of pain in the fingertips, the usual color of the skin of the phalanges of the fingers may be disturbed. Aching in the joints or in places of previous fractures can also foreshadow imminent pain in the fingertips.

Depending on the disease, the fingers and entire palm may swell. Also, an advanced disease may be indicated by a change in the shape of the joints, their bulging. In this case, pain in the fingertips, as well as in other phalanges, is inevitable.

Pain in the tips of the fingers

The causes of pain in the tips of the fingers are extremely diverse and characterize more than a dozen different general diseases of the body, diseases of the joints and blood vessels.

Carpal tunnel syndrome, also known as carpal tunnel syndrome or stenosing ligamentitis of the transverse carpal ligament, which mainly affects women after 40 years of age, is manifested by numbness and burning in all fingers of the hand except the little finger. Pain and numbness begins in the fingertips, extends to the base of the palm, but is not concentrated in the area of ​​the joints. Pain in the fingertips and on the surface of the palm may intensify at night or in the morning. During the daytime, such pain is rarely observed. Visually, the shape of the joints and the fingers themselves does not change, however, some cyanosis may occur or, conversely, pallor of the entire hand, slight swelling of the tissues.

Inflammation in the joints of the fingers, which is accompanied by pain, swelling, redness and loss of movement, can signal arthritis. The most common type of arthritis is rheumatoid arthritis, which manifests itself in three or more small joints of the hand and lasts longer than three months. The process of this disease may involve symmetrical joints of the hands, that is, for example, the middle joints of the middle fingers of both hands. This disease can be indicated by a certain stiffness of movement in the affected joints, which becomes less noticeable during the day. Such a disease, in the absence of the necessary and timely treatment, affects more and more joints of the hands over time, which makes it difficult to perform ordinary routine tasks.

Rheumatoid arthritis can be observed not only on the joints of the hands, but also on the ankle joints or on the joints of the toes. However, this type of arthritis is not observed in large joints such as the knee, hip or shoulder. In addition to joints, arthritis can also affect internal organs – kidneys, lungs, vascular system and others. Therefore, treatment of this disease is extremely important.

Raynaud’s syndrome, or angiospastic peripheral crises, can be identified by cyanosis or pallor, as well as coldness of the fingers, a sensation of pins and needles under the skin, tingling or numbness of the phalanges. This disorder can occur several times a day and last for several minutes. It can be caused by hypothermia or mental trauma.

With diseases of the blood vessels of the hands, pain in the tips of the fingers and along their entire length, cramps, periodic numbness, and fatigue in the fingers may also be observed. In this case, paleness and cooling of the extremities are observed, the hairline thins, and the nail plates thicken. As the disease progresses, the lumen in the arteries of the upper extremities decreases, which leads to disturbances in blood flow. Pain in the fingers and hands becomes chronic, the hands get tired faster, the pulse is weak.

Pain in the fingertips can also occur with vibration disease, which occurs in people who work with hand-held power tools. Discomfort begins when periodic mild pain, numbness, and tingling appear in the fingers. In the future, these symptoms intensify, become permanent and affect vascular tone. Vibration disease can lead to the development of vegetative-vascular dystonia and asthenia.

Pain and paresthesia in the ring and little fingers, when they are compressed, may indicate the manifestation of ulnar nerve neuropathy. This disease occurs when there is mechanical damage to the elbow or wrist joint. As the disease progresses, difficulties with motor ability, muscle atrophy, and the formation of a “clawed hand” may occur.

If you have injured the cervical spine, discomfort, numbness, and a decrease in the pain threshold may appear in one of your arms. Typically, pain and numbness in this case is observed either in all fingers, or is concentrated on the ring and little fingers.

If you dislocate your finger, there will be a sharp pain in it, its position will be slightly incorrect, the finger may look crooked and stick out of the joint. Most often, when a finger is dislocated, it is immobilized. Typically, dislocations occur on the thumbs (first) fingers.

Inflammation of the tissues of the fingertip, or panaritium, occurs in the body as a result of the development of an infection introduced during a manicure or when abrasions occur in the periungual space. The pain is twitching and gradually intensifies. The injured limb is red, often swollen and painful. Sometimes body temperature rises. In such cases, consult a surgeon so as not to expose yourself to blood poisoning.

With polycythemia – a quantitative increase in red blood cells – numbness and periodic pain in the fingertips may also be observed in conjunction with headache, itching, and insomnia. Microcirculation in the body is disrupted.

Also, unpleasant numbness, chilliness, “crawling goosebumps” and other symptoms may indicate the development of cervical osteochondrosis. At night, such pain intensifies, and the mobility of the damaged part of the spine decreases.

Pain in the fingertips is often observed with gout, rheumatism, scapulohumeral periarthritis and other diseases.

Pain in the tips of the toes

Pain in the tips of the toes may occur in fewer cases. Most painful moments are signs of physiological and mechanical damage.

Arthritis is characterized by a special inflammatory rhythm of pain, which occurs at 3-4 am. It is worth noting that different forms of arthritis affect different toes. Thus, pain in the big toe indicates gout, reactive or psoriatic arthritis. The remaining toes will tell you about rheumatoid arthritis, less often about psoriatic arthritis.

Arthrosis, popularly called gout, although it has nothing in common with it, affects, as previously written, the big toe in women. With arthrosis, the big toe leans heavily against the second toe, the joint begins to protrude strongly to the side and the resulting bump is often rubbed by shoes. The joint becomes deformed and becomes almost immobile. This disease is caused by wearing shoes with narrow toes for a long time. With further deformation of the joint, the remaining toes may be pushed to the side. Treated with therapeutic methods.

Morton’s neuroma is also common in women. In this case, the pain begins at the base of the toes, and the nerve is pinched. Most often it develops into a chronic form, the nerve thickens and becomes more sensitive and painful. Pain at the base of the second, third and fourth fingers.

Numbness in the feet and fingers in particular may indicate diabetes. In this case, a burning sensation appears, especially at night, which is explained by the increased activity of nerve endings.

Pallor of the skin of the toes, as well as pain during physical activity, may indicate problems associated with the blood vessels, and in particular the arteries of the legs. The tissues of the legs do not receive enough oxygen and nutrients, so the legs begin to hurt, the hair on them thins, the skin and nails deteriorate and there is increased sensitivity to cold.

If your finger is very sore, red, or swollen, you most likely have an ingrown toenail. Similar cases occur when a pedicure is of poor quality or when walking in uncomfortable shoes.

When the skin on the feet becomes rough and thickened, this can also cause pain in the toes. Hardened and dead cells are usually located on the heels and balls of the feet and cause pain when pressure is applied to them.

Diagnosis of pain in the fingertips

To establish the necessary treatment, it is necessary to diagnose pain in the fingertips.

Thus, with traumatic pain in the fingertips, hematomas or abrasions are usually visible, which are visible upon examination.

When infectious diseases with inflammatory reactions appear, several signs may be observed. The skin may become swollen, and pus may be discharged periodically. With advanced suppuration, tissue necrosis, inflammation of the tendon sheath, or osteomyelitis of the fingertip may begin. With inflammation of the tendon sheath, the same swelling, hyperemia and sharp pain on palpation are observed.

Neoplastic pain can be determined by palpation or examination, in which purplish-red spots are visible. They indicate the appearance of glomus tumors.

Degenerative pain is called pain in rheumatoid arthritis, which is characterized by changes in the shape of the fingertips, joints are deformed, abnormal interflank joints are observed, and hand muscles atrophy.

If pain in the fingers is characterized as vascular, then it can manifest itself in two cases. If frostbite occurs on the dorsal or lateral surfaces of the fingers, then characteristic bluish-red skin and swelling will be observed. Blisters or crusty sores may appear.

When diagnosing diseases of small vessels, pallor of the extremities, cyanosis or gangrene are observed, ulcers may appear, and the pads may atrophy. To check, check your heart rhythm.

Metabolic pain in the finger caused by gout can be determined by the condition of the skin around the joint – it becomes tense, red, and shiny. The diagnosis can be confirmed by feeling gouty nodes near the joint.

With scleroderma, which indicates the autoimmune nature of the pain, the skin of the hands becomes waxy, fairly pale, and thickened. The fingers feel swollen and the pads may lose sensation. When diagnosing scleroderma, pay attention to the patient’s face – the facial skin also looks like wax, and many wrinkles accumulate near the mouth. The patient may look quite emaciated.

If you suspect that the pain in the fingertips is radiating, check the sensitivity of the fingers, reflexes in the upper extremities, the volume and nature of movements in the cervical vertebrae.

Treatment for pain in fingertips

To prevent pain in your fingertips from recurring, avoid movements that may provoke or aggravate them. To improve the condition of blood vessels and joints, stretch, bend your arms and fingers, do simple exercises to squeeze/unclench your hands, come up with a set of exercises for yourself.

When determining the type of pain, ibuprofen can be prescribed as an anti-inflammatory drug; in case of dystrophic lesions, treatment is initially aimed at restoring cartilage in the joint, for which chondroprotectors are prescribed, and massage is also recommended. If the pain in the joint is unbearable, injections, ointments or tablets are prescribed.

Chondroprotectors (including glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate) are the most effective group of drugs prescribed for the treatment of arthrosis. They not only eliminate the symptoms of pain, but also directly affect the restoration of the cartilage tissue of the affected joint and promote the release of fluid that lubricates the joint.

Chonroprotectors, with their complex effect on joints, are indispensable in the fight against arthrosis, however, their effectiveness is significantly reduced when the disease passes into the last stage, when the joint is destroyed. The thing is that they can cure pain in the fingertips or restore the properties of the fluid that lubricates the joint, but it is impossible to build a new joint or return the correct shape to deformed bones with the help of the drug.

Chondroprotectors are effective in combating pain in the fingertips and joint disorders, however, to achieve the effect, you need to undergo 2-3 full courses of treatment. These courses can last for one and a half years.

At the moment, chondroprotectors on the drug market are represented by the following drugs:

• Artra – country of origin: USA, tablet form, take 2 tablets per day;
• Dona – country of origin Italy, forms: injection, powder or capsule; course of treatment – ​​3 injections per week, or 1 sachet of powder per day, or 4-6 capsules per day;
• Structum – country of origin: France, capsule form, take 4 tablets of 250 mg or 2 tablets of 500 mg per day;
• Theraflex – country of origin: Great Britain, capsule form, take 2 tablets per day;
• Chondroitin AKOS – country of origin: Russia, capsule form, take at least 4 tablets per day;
• Chondrolone – country of origin: Russia, injection form, course of 20-25 injections;
• Elbona – country of origin: Russia, injection form, course involves 3 intramuscular injections per week.

In medical practice, Dona is most often prescribed in injection form.

Chondroprotectors have virtually no contraindications in the treatment of pain in the fingertips and joint problems. Side effects in extremely rare cases include allergic reactions, abdominal pain, bloating, constipation or diarrhea, and in isolated cases – headaches, pain or swelling of the legs, drowsiness, insomnia or tachycardia.

The most acceptable course of treatment with chondroprotectors is 3-5 months when taken daily. The course must be repeated after six months.

Salicylates (similar to diclofenac), paracetamol or indomethacin are prescribed as anesthetics and anti-inflammatory drugs that complement the treatment of pain in the fingertips and joints. Local remedies have a good analgesic effect – ointments that contain novocaine, anesthesin or menthol-based ointments.

Diclofenac is a tablet form, taken at the initial stage – 100-150 mg/day, divided into several doses.

Indomethacin – tablet, capsule, injection, suppository form. Daily dose – up to 100-150 mg, divided into 3-4 doses. The course of treatment for pain in the fingertips and joints must be completed completely, otherwise there is a possibility of renewal of the disease.

To relieve acute attacks of gout, 0,05 g is prescribed three times a day. For the treatment of acute conditions or exacerbation of a chronic process, 1 mg is administered intramuscularly 2-60 times a day for 7-14 days or 1 suppository twice a day.

As for corticosteroids, they are prescribed to treat carpal tunnel syndrome – compression of the median nerve inside the carpal tunnel.

Symptoms of carpal syndrome are relieved with 1-2 low-dose cortisone injections given in the wrist area. This treatment has no side effects.

If the disease is at an advanced stage, then surgery is necessary to treat carpal tunnel syndrome and pain in the fingertips. When performing an operation, both in the form of an open approach using local anesthesia, and in the case of a microinvasive approach, the task of physicians is to reduce compression of the median nerve. The transverse carpal ligament is divided to help open the carpal tunnel.

To treat pain in the fingertips due to gouty arthritis, the most commonly prescribed drugs are indomethacin, naproxen, phenylbutazone, and pheniprofen described above.

The dosage of indomethacin is reduced with each dose: the first dose – 75 mg, the next day – 50 mg every 6 hours, the next day – 50 mg every 8 hours, subsequent treatment – 25 mg every 8 hours.

Side effects of this medicine include disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, symptoms of disorders of the central nervous system, and sodium retention in the body. Despite all sorts of side effects of the drug, observed in 60% of cases, indomethacin is preferable to colchicine. Also, for acute attacks of gout, an effective drug is systemic or local injection of glucocorticoids into the joint. Typically, to treat fingertip and joint pain, moderate doses of glucocorticoids are prescribed over several days as the concentration of the drug in the body decreases sharply and the effect weakens. Intra-articular injections of the drug help stop attacks of bursitis or monoarthritis for a day and a half. This treatment is mainly prescribed when it is impossible to complete the full course of treatment.

To treat pain in the fingertips and joints, you can also use folk remedies:

• Caucasian hellebore in ointment. To prepare the ointment, you need to mix 20 g of dry hellebore, 20 g of honey, 10 g of vegetable oil and 5 g of dry mustard. Melt all ingredients in a water bath and stir until smooth. Transfer to a dark container and cool. To relieve pain, lubricate joints at night;
• using fruit vinegar, make compresses on painful joints;
• Mix a small amount of propolis with sunflower or corn oil. Apply as an ointment;
• cut the burdock leaves and compact them tightly into a jar, leave them in a window where the sun constantly shines. When the leaves turn into a foul-smelling pulp and become covered with mold, apply them as a compress to the joints. Burdock leaves can also be used to wrap joints at night;
• Beat 100 g of camphor oil, 100 g of dry mustard, 2 fresh chicken egg whites until smooth and foamy, pour into a jar, close the lid tightly and place in a dark place. Rub your joints with this mixture and make compresses, covering them with cellophane and something warm on top for a warming effect;
• Cut the sponge from the branches of the bodyagi, rinse and dry, heat in the oven and grind into powder. Rub the powder with a drop of vegetable oil onto the painful area. You may experience a slight burning sensation in the smeared area;
• Grind the Kalanchoe flower through a meat grinder, add 0,5 liter of vodka to 1 liters of pulp. Leave for 3 to 5 days, rub into joints. Another effective remedy is to mix Kalanchoe, crushed through a meat grinder, with grated chalk to a thick mixture and apply it as a compress, wrapping it in cellophane and something warm;
• you need to rub sore joints with natural fat – after the bath, rub natural pork fat into the joint that hurts. The procedure should be repeated for several months;
• Infuse 1 cup of sticky birch buds with 0,5 liters of alcohol or moonshine for 2 weeks in a dark place, shaking occasionally. Then rub the infusion into the joints that hurt.

How to prevent pain in your fingertips

• Remember that it is better not to neglect your own health than to treat it diligently later.
• The first rule for preventing pain in the fingertips is to avoid alcohol, nicotine, and large amounts of spicy, hot and salty foods.
• Eat more fresh fruits and vegetables, give up fried foods, and give preference to steamed or boiled foods.
• Don’t freeze. Do a warm-up while working, do not let the blood stagnate.
• Wear comfortable shoes that fit your size and fit.
• Perform medical manicures or wound treatment only with sterile instruments.

Preventing pain in your fingertips is extremely important as it prevents the occurrence of dangerous diseases and strengthens your organs and limbs.