Osteoarthritis of small joints
Osteoarthritis of small joints (fingers and toes) is a degenerative-dystrophic disease. This pathology of the interphalangeal joints is less common than osteochondrosis or gonarthrosis. In the vast majority of cases, it affects women in the postmenopausal period. The progression of the disease often causes pain in the hands and impaired motor function of the fingers, which can lead to disability - loss of ability to work and self-care. Arthritis of small joints of the hands develops in case of impaired blood circulation and nutrition of the cartilage layer of the intra-articular surfaces of the bones. As a result, the cartilage thins and loses its elasticity. Synovial fluid synthesis is disrupted, movements become painful, and inflammation of the affected tissues occurs.
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AFFECTED BY OSTEOARTHROSIS
The diagnosis of osteoarthritis of small joints is made on the basis of the patient's complaints, objective examination data and laboratory indicators, as well as X-ray examination.
X-ray of small joints of hands and feet is a mandatory diagnostic procedure, which is prescribed in case of suspicion of arthrosis or other joint damage. The advantages of X-ray are obvious - the technique is available in almost any medical institution, its conduct is absolutely painless, does not require preparation, and the result of the study can be obtained within a few minutes. X-ray allows you to establish the nature of pathological changes, their localization, prevalence, severity, as well as assess the dynamics of the drug therapy.
There are 4 radiological stages of the disease, reflecting the progression of arthrosis in the small joints of the hands and distal parts of the feet.
For a more accurate diagnosis of disease progression, it is necessary to use a more sensitive technology, such as microfocus joint radiography, which is used to assess the dynamics of changes in the small joints of the hands.
Since damage to the joints of the hands and feet is a characteristic sign of rheumatoid and metabolic diseases (for example, gout), for an accurate diagnosis it is necessary to conduct not only an X-ray, but also a biochemical blood test.
