Why do big toes hurt. Pain at base of thumb

Our entire body relative to the surface area of ​​the feet is not at all small. Competent distribution of mass is achieved by the arches and the special structure of the foot. Wherein, the maximum load falls on the first toe.

This stress often leads to illness.

There are many reasons why the big toe hurts:

• injuries - fracture, dislocation, bruise,
• arthritis,
• arthrosis,
• hallux valgus,
• ingrown nail,
• dry corn.

Sore finger in the joint area

Often the thumb is injured. The reasons are quite simple and common:

Ask your question to a neurologist for free

Irina Martynova. Graduated from the Voronezh State Medical University. N.N. Burdenko. Clinical intern and neurologist of BUZ VO \"Moscow Polyclinic\".

• dropping a heavy object on the leg
• hitting an obstacle (the so-called bruise of the "night walker")
• unsuccessful setting of the foot, with subluxation,
• overvoltage under prolonged load (ballerina).

You can injure both the soft tissues of the finger, and the joint or bone of the phalanx.

With only superficial damage, a hematoma (bruise) develops in the area of ​​​​the bruise, and pain in the big toe is not pronounced, almost does not change when you try to move. If you try to touch the impact site, the pain will increase.

Injury may result in dislocation of the phalanx first finger. Most often, the mechanism of such damage is a kick on a solid object or a fall. A sharp, sharp pain that occurs at the time of impact and a change in the position of the finger will help to recognize the dislocation: it may seem bent. swelling develops quickly, especially the big toe hurts when bent.

A fracture and fracture of the bone of the distal phalanx of the big toe develop after a particularly strong kick or when falling from above on the toe of gravity. Pain during a fracture is very strong, sharp. The edema of the finger quickly increases, it is impossible to step on the foot.

X-rays are taken to confirm the diagnosis of a fracture or dislocation.

Nail pain

Sometimes, pain occurs directly at the edge of the nail. The skin in this place turns red, inflamed, swells, becomes hot. In the future, even the appearance of white pus from the inflamed area is possible. This condition is called panaritium, or more precisely, paronychia. Cause: Small wounds on the tip of the finger are easily infected.

An ingrown toenail often leads to inflammation.

contributes to this

• wearing narrow shoes that squeeze the foot,
• improper cutting of nails: the cut must be perpendicular to the foot,
• poor hygiene leading to infections.

With panaritium, the big toe hurts extremely strongly, pulsatingly. The pain is aggravated by lowering the leg down and relieved by raising the limb to the pillow.

As a rule, panaritium needs surgical treatment, which is carried out at the peak of inflammation, when the pain is unbearable.

Bone at the thumb

Often a person associates pain in a finger with the presence of a bone at the joint. This deformity of the foot a direct consequence of the transverse flatfoot.

In a healthy person, maintaining the correct distribution of weight on the foot is provided by two arches: longitudinal and transverse. Everyone heard about the first version of flat feet: children in kindergartens are checked for the presence of pathology by making footprints on paper. The second option, transverse flat feet, is the lot of adults, beautiful women who are accustomed to wearing high heels during the day.

If the height of the heel of the shoes is higher than 3-5 cm, then the pressure from the entire foot is transferred to the area under the toes.

Open sandals are especially dangerous:

• Gradually, under the weight of its own weight, the arch becomes flat, disappears, and the toes are deformed.
• The thumb is the first to suffer, as it bears the greatest load.
• It deforms, bending, forming a bone at the joint and pressing on other fingers.

This long process, which is difficult to stop, will lead a 20-year-old girl by the age of 60 to a disfiguring deformity of all toes. This phenomenon is called hallux valgus and is accompanied by pain in the thumb. Pain is especially aggravated when wearing shoes with high heels.

Any attempt to turn or bend the affected finger is accompanied by a dull, aching pain.

If we are talking about gout, then as a specific treatment, a diet with a restriction of animal protein and drugs that control the metabolism of uric acid: allopurinol are prescribed.

Ointments

In parallel with the use of injections and tablets, are used locally, in the form of ointments and gels:

• Indomethacin.

With bruises, when a hematoma develops, heparin or troxevasin ointment can be used. They will help to quickly resolve the bruise.

Physiotherapy

Many physiotherapy methods very successfully used in chronic pain in the thumb.

• Ultrasound therapy: restores blood circulation, reduces inflammation.
• Laser therapy: relaxes muscles, removes bone growths and swelling.
• Shock wave therapy: dissolves growths, improves blood supply to the foot.
• Orthopedic insoles: reduce the load on the foot and correctly distribute it along the leg.

Good insoles cannot just be bought - they must be made strictly according to the foot by an orthopedic doctor.

Exercises

Deforming osteoarthritis and hallux valgus are in great need of at least minimal exercise.

• Stand at shoulder width. We tear off the heel from the floor, the fingers are pressed. Make circular movements with the foot.
• Scatter small objects on the floor: pencils, pens, lids. Try to collect them all with your toes.
• Before you get out of bed in the morning, lift your leg and try to write out the letters of the alphabet in the air.

Folk methods

Many medicinal herbs have excellent anti-inflammatory properties and can be used to make compress infusions:

• Chamomile,
• Eucalyptus,
• Horsetail,
• Oregano,
• Sagebrush,
• yarrow,
• Pine cones,
• Mustard oil.

Infusions are prepared from herbs: dry or fresh raw materials are poured with hot water and infused in a dark place for 3 days. Then, the liquid is used as part of the compress.

If you use vodka or alcohol as a liquid, you can get a tincture. It can be used as a rubbing, carefully rubbing into the affected finger.

Surgery

Sometimes, conservative medicine becomes obsolete. And pain in the thumb causes a lot of inconvenience to a person. For such cases, there are operations:

• An ingrown nail that has not responded to conventional treatment is easily removed in the clinic - a new one will grow in its place.
• A similar operation may be needed for paronychia, when the infection of the damaged nail does not allow to fully recover.
• Panaritium of the big toe also requires opening and removing pus. This is a small procedure performed by a surgeon in an outpatient clinic.
• The bone at the big toe, if it reaches a severe deformity, can be removed. There are about 100 types of foot correction surgery. Today, small interventions with small incisions are preferred. The operation itself is small and usually ends in two hours. But in the future, wearing orthopedic shoes and a bandage is required.

Urgently to the doctor!

• Any injury to the finger must necessarily lead to the emergency room in order to take a picture and exclude severe damage to the foot.
• Inflammatory problems - arthritis, panaritium can lead to blood poisoning if left untreated. Therefore, it is important to get to a specialist as soon as possible if there is a suspicion of inflammation of the finger.
• - a serious chronic disease, in the treatment of which dangerous drugs are used, which should be prescribed only by a doctor. Therefore, gout should be treated by a specialist.

Despite all their insignificance, the big toes of the right or left foot vital us for proper and comfortable walking.

Therefore, you should not be irresponsible about foot problems and, in case of pain, rush to a specialist.

Additionally, be sure to watch the following video

Crib

1. Causes of pain in the big toe: trauma, arthritis, arthrosis, hallux valgus, ingrown toenail, dry callus.
2. Pain along with numbness is a sign of diabetes.
3. Therapy includes: medicines, physiotherapy, folk recipes, exercises, surgical treatment.
4. The main means that alleviate the condition with acute pain are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (diclofenac, ketorol).
5. Drug treatment, in order to avoid side effects, is accompanied by the use of proton pump inhibitors (omeprazole, lansoprazole).
6. Ointments and gels are applied locally: orthofen, ketoprofen, finalgel, voltaren, indomethacin.
7. Do not hesitate to visit a doctor for any injury, suspected arthritis and gout.

The thumb plays an essential role in the motor function of the entire hand. If the joint of the thumb on the hand hurts, then it becomes almost impossible to work with the hand. The fingers of the right hand are usually affected. A sign of pain can be either a slight bruise or the development of a serious illness. In order to find out the true cause of the pain syndrome, you need to seek qualified help.

The thumbs are much more likely to be injured and diseased than the others. Causes of pain can be:

• Genetics;
• Hand injuries. In such a situation, there is pain in the wrist under the thumb. If it is difficult to bend a finger on a hand or turning the hand causes very severe pain, this may mean that a fracture has occurred and urgent medical attention is required;
• Age;
• Overweight;
• Bad habits;
• hypothermia;
• Salt deposits.

In addition to common causes, pain in the joint of the thumb on the hand can disturb a person in the presence of the following diseases:

• Arthrosis or osteoarthritis. With such a disease, the bone near the thumb hurts;
• Gout;
• psoriatic arthritis;
• Infectious - allergic polyarthritis;
• Tenosynovitis de Quervain. With such a disease, the patient, while bending the arm, can hear how it clicks in the wrist;
• Degenerative changes in the thumb bone;
• Osteoarthritis;
• Tuberculosis;
• Hepatitis;
• Lupus erythematosus;
• Rheumatism;
• Raynaud's disease;
• Stenosing ligamentitis is a disease in which the periarticular tissue is affected and severe pain is felt when the phalanx of the thumb is bent;
• autoimmune diseases;
• carpal tunnel syndrome. With this disease, the patient hurts under the thumb.

If the pad of the thumb hurts, then pinching may become a sign of such a pain syndrome.

It is worth paying attention to such a situation when pain is felt in the finger of the left hand. Pain on this side may mean that the patient has serious diseases, such as damage to the ulnar nerve, hypertension, atherosclerosis and stroke. As soon as the patient feels pain on the left side, you should immediately consult a doctor. Since self-medication with these diseases will not help.

Symptoms

The accompanying symptoms in which a person has a sore thumb include:

• Heat in hand;
• Numbness of the affected part of the arm;
• Pain;
• Violation of motor function;
• The tips of the fingers turn white or may have a purple tint;
• Problems with the skin of the hands;
• Decreased motor skills.

Doctors

If the patient feels pain in the thumb, then he needs to consult a general practitioner. A medical specialist will examine the place of pain in the thumb, clarify after which situation the pain arose. The attending physician, if necessary, will send the patient to a rheumatologist, orthopedist, traumatologist or urologist (required for gout). After the examination, the medical specialist will issue a referral for testing and for a diagnostic examination.

Diagnostics

In order to find out the reason why the thumb on the hand hurts, the patient needs to undergo a computer examination. To obtain more accurate information about the occurrence of pain in the thumbs, there are the following types of hardware examination:

• Magnetic resonance imaging;
• CT scan;
• Radiography.
• If complications have begun during the disease, then the attending physician may prescribe a puncture of the articular bone.

In addition to the diagnostic examination, the patient must pass the following tests;

• Blood chemistry;
• General blood analysis;
• General urine analysis.

After receiving the results of the studies, you must again come for a consultation with your doctor. Based on the information received, he will be able to determine the cause of pain in the fingers. After the diagnosis is made, the patient will receive treatment.

Treatment

A medical specialist can offer the patient the following treatment options:

• Medical treatment;
• Special wellness procedures;
• Surgical intervention.

For drug treatment, the following types of pharmaceuticals can be used:

• Painkillers;
• Antispasmodics;
• Chondroprotectors;
• uricosuric agents;
• Anti-inflammatory;
• Hormonal agents.

To achieve the best effect, the patient needs to attend such therapeutic measures:

• Magnetotherapy;
• electrophoresis;
• Balneotherapy;
• Treatment with medical leeches;
• Mud treatment;
• Applications of ozocerite;
• Yodo - bromine baths;
• Mechanotherapy.

If the disease is advanced, then surgery may be needed:

• Arthrodesis;
• Endoprosthetics;
• Arthroscopy.

As traditional medicine for the treatment of pain in the joints of the thumbs are used:

• Dressings with medicinal infusions. The healing solution is made from lemon balm or St. John's wort. Such procedures relieve inflammation;
• Applications are made from medicinal clay, with aloe or plantain juice;
• Decoctions of wormwood;
• Baths with needles;
• Compresses using cabbage leaf or cedar resin mixed with vegetable oil.

To improve blood flow, the patient needs to perform hand exercises daily. During this procedure, special attention should be paid to the affected area of ​​the arm.

It must always be remembered that before carrying out procedures using traditional medicine, a doctor's consultation is required.

Prevention

In order not to have to treat the disease for a long time, you need to follow the preventive rules:

• Healthy eating is the key to well-being and lightness. Every day, the patient's menu should contain dairy products, fish. It is imperative to refuse fatty, spicy or salty dishes, smoked meats;
• Daily sports and hand exercises will allow the patient to keep himself in good shape;
• Getting rid of bad habits (smoking, drinking alcohol) will improve health many times over;
• You need to dress according to the weather and avoid hypothermia;
• Annually, and preferably every six months, undergo examinations with highly specialized doctors. Such consultations with a doctor are also needed if the patient is not bothered by anything;
• Change the position of the brush. Since a long stay of the hand in one position can lead to disease.

If the joints of the thumbs hurt, it is imperative to go for an examination to the attending physician. In the direction of a medical specialist, the patient will visit narrow-profile doctors, undergo a computer examination and pass the necessary tests. And only according to the results of the research, therapeutic measures will be prescribed that will help relieve pain and improve the condition of the joints of the thumbs. You should not self-medicate, trying to recover without medical help, you can lose time and then the disease will go into a chronic stage.

Bibliography

When writing the article, the rheumatologist used the following materials:

• Zabolotnykh, Inga Ivanovna Diseases of the joints: hands. for doctors / I. I. Zabolotnykh. - St. Petersburg. : SpecLit, 2005 (GUP Typ. Nauka). - 220 s. ISBN 5-299-00293-9
• Evdokimenko, Pavel Valerievich Arthritis [Text]: getting rid of joint pain: [causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment methods, medications, therapeutic exercises, herbal medicine, diet: recommendations of an experienced specialist: 16+] / [Evdokimenko P.V.]. - 3rd ed., revised. - M: World and Education, 2015. - 255s. ISBN 978-5-94666-632-9
• Complete reference book of the traumatologist / [O.V. Ananiev and others]. - M: Eksmo, 2006 - 733 p. ISBN 5-699-16187-2
• Borshchenko Igor How to get rid of pain in the joints of the hands [Borschenko I.]. - M: Astrel: Metaphor, 2012, -130s ISBN: 978-5-271-38841-5

At any age, a person may experience discomfort in the small joints of the hand. There are several factors that cause pain in the joint of the thumb on the hand. Treatment is aimed at eliminating the underlying cause identified during the diagnosis, and eliminating the consequences of the pathological process.

Often, discomfort occurs due to uneven distribution of physical activity, hypothermia, prolonged monotonous brush movements during work, outdoor activities, and training.

Why does my thumb hurt? The most common are the following reasons:

• trauma - fracture, dislocation, sprain or rupture of ligaments, tendons;
• arthritis - rheumatoid, gouty, psoriatic, infectious;
• Raynaud's syndrome;
• tunnel syndrome;
• bursitis;
• de Quervain's tenosynovitis;
• stenosing ligamentitis;
• diseases of the endocrine system;
• metabolic disorders.

In addition to various diseases, a provocative factor can be a genetic predisposition to joint lesions, bad habits, malnutrition and deficiency of minerals or vitamins in the body.

How to Diagnose Causes of Thumb Pain

For help, they turn to a therapist, surgeon, rheumatologist or arthrologist, neuropathologist. To identify the cause, you need to take an x-ray, ultrasound and / or computed tomography of the hand, pass a clinical and biochemical blood test, and a general urine test.

If a finger or another area of ​​the body hurts due to a fall, bruise / impact, then you should immediately visit a traumatologist. He will diagnose and prescribe treatment.

During the diagnostic process, additional biomaterial tests may be required to detect the level of uric acid and complement, the presence of antinuclear, rheumatoid factor, lupus cells, and antigens. It may be necessary to perform electrospondylography, contrast discography, puncture to collect synovial fluid, skin biopsy.

Treatment Methods

The patient should receive complex therapy, exclude factors that provoke the disease, for example, quit smoking, eat well, and avoid hypothermia. Doctors during work recommend doing gymnastics for fingers, palms, and wrists every 30–45 minutes.

For traumatic injuries

Immediately after the incident, the victim should be given first aid. First of all, the arm is fixed or with a splint so that the forearm and hand are on the same line. Movement in them should be excluded. Then cold is applied to the damaged area, the patient is given an analgesic (tablet or injection), the person is taken to the emergency room or the 03 service is called. Treatment begins after a doctor's examination, X-ray, ultrasound, assessment of the degree of damage.

For bruises:

• a gauze bandage is applied to the injured arm;
• cold compresses are prescribed for 15 minutes;
• provide upper limbs with rest;
• prescribed painkillers, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

If there is an open injury to the skin and/or nail, the person needs a course of antibiotics. During the rehabilitation period, it is necessary to do special gymnastic exercises to normalize mobility in.

When sprained tendons and / or ligaments:

• 7 days wear a tight bandage on the arm, periodically making a slight kneading of the fingers;
• when dressing, the brush is massaged using a warming ointment;
• before going to bed, the brush is dipped for 15 minutes in a bath with a decoction of wild rosemary or a vodka compress is applied at night.

In case of rupture or tear of ligaments, tendons, complex fractures, surgery is necessary. During rehabilitation, drug therapy, exercise therapy, physiotherapy are prescribed. Dislocations are reduced immediately, the joint is fixed, then the recovery period begins with the use of UHF, physiotherapy exercises with gradually increasing loads on the hand.

If the diagnosis is rhizarthrosis

The disease is a subspecies of arthrosis. With this pathology, the destruction of cartilage and bone tissue occurs at the joint of the base of the thumb on the hand. Therapeutic methods depend on the stage and degree of damage.

With rhizarthrosis, complex treatment is required, which includes the following measures:

• taking chondroprotectors, vitamins, minerals;
• the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
• a diet with an increased number of dishes with gelatin (jelly, jelly);
• brush massage with olive or linseed oil and the addition of aromatic oils (lavender, pine or sage);
• special gymnastics for hands;
• the use of physiotherapy (mud, black wax applications, UHF, electrophoresis);
• local use of ointments (Nicoflex-cream, Espola, Diclofenac).

In the second or third degrees of the disease, surgical intervention is possible, the appointment of intra-articular injections of glucocorticosteroid hormones. With rhizarthrosis, with the permission of a doctor, traditional medicine methods are used - baths with sea salt, compresses using gelatin with honey, they drink herbal teas with chamomile, lapacho, sage.

Therapy for arthritis and bursitis

With these diseases, an inflammatory process develops in the joints. When bursitis affects the periarticular bag - bursa. With arthritis of the thumb, the tissues of the joint become inflamed, covering other joints of the hand. It is necessary to treat these processes in a complex way - with the help of exercise therapy, diet, medicines, physiotherapy.

Drugs are always prescribed to relieve inflammation and pain - Ibuprofen, Aspirin, Indomethacin, Meloxicam, other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Colchicine is additionally included in the treatment regimen for gouty arthritis, a purine-free diet and agents that reduce the level of uric acid in the body are prescribed. In the psoriatic type of pathology, hormonal agents, antipsoriatic drugs are prescribed locally and orally. In the case of an infectious type of disease, fungicides, antiviral drugs, hormones and antibiotics are also used.

In the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, the following medicinal substances are additionally used:

• selective immunosuppressants;
• cytostatics;
• glucocorticosteroid hormones in the form of intra-articular injections.

For all types of illness, you can use herbal teas, traditional medicine methods for local therapy - compresses, baths, self-made ointments containing mustard, salt, oatmeal, mumiyo, blue clay, burdock juice and other medicinal ingredients.

Physical therapy for arthritis or bursitis includes the following procedures:

• electrophoresis using solutions of anti-inflammatory, analgesic or vascular drugs;
• mud, paraffin, wax applications;
• nitrogen-thermal, oxygen baths;
• exposure to laser beams;

In the diet for arthritis limit the intake of salt, carbohydrates, animal fats. It is recommended to use fresh fruits, vegetables, berries and drink freshly squeezed juices, rosehip broth.

Ways to treat carpal tunnel syndrome

Pathology occurs as a result of infringement of the median nerve in the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe wrist. With carpal tunnel syndrome, pain, loss of sensation, weakness is localized not in the joints of the hand, but in the muscles, especially the thumb.

Therapeutic methods:

• splinting on the wrist;
• therapeutic gymnastics, hand massage;
• the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and injections of corticosteroid hormones;
• taking vitamin B6 orally or intramuscularly.

With the ineffectiveness of these methods, an operation is performed. During the recovery period, special gymnastics and therapeutic massage of the hand are used, physiotherapy is used, including ultrasound therapy.

How to treat de Quervain's tenosynovitis

Pathology develops due to systematic compression, pinching of the tendon, inflammation of the ligament of the thumb due to injury or the performance of monotonous monotonous movements.

During treatment, the provoking factor is eliminated, physical stress on the hand is reduced. Then the wrist and thumb are fixed for two weeks with a splint, plaster or tight bandage. During therapy, novocaine blockades, glucocorticosteroid hormones, and physiotherapy are prescribed. If the methods are ineffective, the operation is performed under local anesthesia.

Treatment of stenosing ligamentitis

This disease, in which the ligaments become inflamed, is also called "springy/trigger finger". There is an acute, subacute and chronic form of pathology.
Therapy for stenosing ligamentitis:

• the use of medications - glucocorticoids, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
• the use of physiotherapy methods - baths, compresses with Ronidase, phono- and electrophoresis with anti-inflammatory drugs, mud applications;
• injections of hyaluronidase-active drugs.

With frequent relapses, excision of the affected ligament is performed. After the operation, the functionality of the hand is restored within 30-40 days.

Treatments for Raynaud's syndrome

Pathology develops against a background of spasm or a sharp narrowing of blood vessels in the region of the peripheral parts of the extremities, including the thumbs. The pain is localized in the extra-articular region. There is also numbness, discoloration of the skin of the hands.

The following medications are used in the treatment:

• antispasmodics (Nifedipine);
• blood circulation-improving drugs (Vazaprostan, Trental);
• dilating vessels and reducing the tone of their walls means (Xanthinol nicotinate, Nicardipine, Verapamil, Fentolamine);
• locally anti-inflammatory drugs in the form of ointments and gels (Reopirin, Ibuprofen, Diclofenac).

In 85-90% of cases, Raynaud's syndrome is a symptom of other diseases: vibration disease, endocrine and metabolic disorders, neurogenic or vascular disorders. In this case, therapy should be aimed at eliminating the underlying pathology.

Conclusion

If the joint of the thumb on the hand hurts, the methods and duration of the course of treatment are selected according to the identified causes. During therapy and the entire subsequent period of rehabilitation, you must carefully adhere to medical recommendations. This will prevent relapses, speed up recovery, help to completely get rid of the disease.

The human hand is a complex motor system. Thanks to its structure, a person is able to perform the most subtle manipulations that are inaccessible even to higher animals. But such functionality is not in vain: a representative of our species is much more susceptible to the development of diseases of the musculoskeletal system, the spine, elbow joint and thumbs.

If you miss an important point and let the pathological process take its course, there is a high risk of disability and disability.

What is important to know about possible problems with the thumb?

Thumb hurts on hand: causes

There are many possible reasons why your thumb hurts. In all cases, we are talking about pathological processes.

The first and most likely reason is. This insidious disease is characterized by a symmetrical lesion of small joints, which include the thumb. Unlike arthrosis, the pathological process in arthritis is characterized by inflammation of all surrounding musculoskeletal structures. There are different types of arthritis, the most common being rheumatoid and gouty arthritis.

Injuries. They can also cause pain in the thumb area. It often happens that inflammation of the joint begins much later, when a person forgets about the injury.

Arthrosis of the thumb. A relatively rare pathology, unlike arthritis, affects only cartilage tissue and only one finger. It is characterized by inexorable progression with increasing deformation of the articular tissue.

Hereditary autoimmune diseases. Not the last role in the formation of pathologies of the musculoskeletal system is played by genetic factors. We can talk about rheumatoid arthritis, etc.

Osteoarthritis. It is a degenerative-deforming pathological process. A characteristic feature is the absence of inflammation in the tissues.

Endocrine diseases. By themselves, they are not the cause of pain in the thumb, but they increase the likelihood of developing pathologies of the musculoskeletal system.

tunnel syndrome. A real scourge of office workers and musicians.

Inflammation of the ligaments (ligamentitis).

All these reasons why the thumb on the hand hurts occur in isolation, but can "go" in the complex. Often there is arthritis complicated by arthrosis, etc.

Risk groups and negative factors

Some people are more prone to diseases of the musculoskeletal system. They are included in the so-called. risk group. What is it about?

Office workers. By the nature of their activities, they lead a sedentary lifestyle and spend a lot of time at the computer. The hands do not like such treatment, so very soon a tunnel syndrome develops from constant contact with a computer mouse.

Musicians. Especially stringers. The hand is also not designed for prolonged tension in an uncomfortable position. Guitarists, bassists often develop the same tunnel syndrome.

Persons who abuse red meat, nuts, alcohol. susceptible to gouty arthritis.

People with relatives suffering from rheumatism, rheumatoid arthritis. Of course, the disease itself cannot be inherited. However, the characteristics of immunity are passed along with genes, which means that the risk of getting sick is higher.

Persons living in adverse environmental conditions.

People engaged in physical labor.

Symptoms of thumb pain

After identifying the reasons why the thumb hurts, it is necessary to talk about the symptoms of the most common diseases. Various symptom complexes play an important role in differential diagnosis.

You should not self-diagnose yourself, but by listening to the body, you can draw some conclusions and contact the appropriate specialist.

Pain is the most common, but also the least specific syndrome of thumb joint pathologies. With arthrosis, it is characterized by monotony, duration. The patient experiences discomfort throughout the day. This arthrosis differs from arthritis: with arthritis, the nature of the pain is more acute, it subsides during the day and intensifies in the evening and at night, until noon the next day.

Stiffness of movements. Characteristic of arthritis and ligamentitis. In the first case, patients describe this condition as a tight glove that restricts movement.

Symptoms of a general lesion of the body, such as hyperthermia, weakness. They are found in inflammatory processes: with arthritis, ligamentitis. They do not occur in arthrosis.

Redness of the joints. It is observed in rheumatoid, gouty, psoriatic arthritis.

Swelling of the joints.

Deformities of the thumb. Characteristic for the late stages of arthritis and arthrosis.

Feeling of goosebumps on the arm, numbness, etc. These symptoms are characteristic of carpal tunnel syndrome.

In general, the symptoms at first glance are not specific. However, the doctor will easily figure out what's what through diagnostic measures.

Diagnostics

Diagnosis, especially differential diagnosis, presents some difficulties when it comes to joints. A person who has pain in his thumb is advised to consult with a general practitioner or surgeon at a local clinic as soon as possible. These doctors act as a kind of navigators and help determine the further tactics of the examination. Various doctors deal with joint problems:

Orthopedists.

Urologists (for gout).

Endocrinologists (in tandem with a urologist, in case the disease is caused by a metabolic disorder).

Examinations begin with an anamnesis: oral questioning of the patient is not the subject of his complaints. The task of the patient is to clearly tell everything and answer the questions of the doctor.

After examination and palpation of the thumb, it is the turn of laboratory and instrumental diagnostics.

Instrumental methods include:

Joint ultrasound.
. MRI/CT.
. Radiography.

Laboratory diagnostic methods are also extremely important:

General blood analysis.

Biochemistry of blood.

Urinalysis (required to detect the concentration of urate salts, which usually cause gouty arthritis).

In general, these studies are quite sufficient for an accurate diagnosis.

Thumb hurts on hand: what to do

In sick people, a completely logical question arises: “what to do when the thumb on the hand hurts?” The answer is on the surface: you need to contact a specialist and start treatment. Treatment is mostly conservative. Surgical intervention is resorted to only in advanced cases, when the joint loses its functionality.

For the treatment of various pathologies that affect the thumb, the following groups of drugs are used:

Analgesics (painkillers).
. Antispasmodics.
. Anti-inflammatory drugs.
. Chondroprotectors (especially necessary for arthrosis).
. Uricosuric drugs (prescribed for gout).

In the subacute phase and in the remission phase, physiotherapy is indicated. Specific names of drugs, as well as physiotherapy, are prescribed only by doctors.

What to do if the thumb on the hand hurts a lot, and a decent amount of time remains before visiting the doctor? In this case, you can give yourself first aid and take a single analgesic tablet: Novigan, Analgin, etc. In no case should you abuse the drugs, this will blur the clinical picture and complicate the work of the doctor.

Prevention of pain in the thumb

There are no special preventive measures. It is enough to adhere to common sense and some recommendations:

Do not abuse red meat, fatty foods, alcohol. This is a direct way to increase the concentration of urate salts in the blood and gout (deposition of urate salts in the joint cavity).

You can't overcool. Hypothermia can lead to the development of arthritis.

You can not keep the hand in the same position for a long time. This is fraught with the development of carpal tunnel syndrome.

Pain in the thumb can be caused by a variety of reasons. It is almost impossible to figure out what is what on your own. Therefore, as soon as the body begins to signal problems, you should immediately seek medical help.

All organs and systems in the human body are interconnected. If there is a violation in one place, it can lead to the appearance of unpleasant symptoms in a completely different place. For example, if the big toe hurts, the doctor may suspect a violation in the work of the cardiovascular system. And this is not the only reason for the appearance of soreness. Treatment is prescribed based on the results of the diagnosis and is aimed at eliminating the root cause.

All kinds of injuries, overweight, the use of uncomfortable shoes and even improper nutrition can provoke heaviness, pain and numbness of the lower extremities. A large and painful lump growing on the side of the foot, swelling at the nail and various unpleasant sensations during touch or movement, for example, when walking, appear due to the following reasons:

1. Domestic trauma. A blow to the thumb located on the left or right foot, a heavy object falling on it, a sprain or dislocation of the ligament, often cause them to swell and hurt.
2. High physical activity and improper training. The stimulating factor is overweight and a sedentary lifestyle.
3. Active sports training. Athletes often experience dislocations associated with a large load on the joint while pushing the leg off the surface.

Body mass index is equal to weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters.

1. Features of the profession. In people who spend the whole working day on their feet, the feet experience a high load, which is fraught with swelling of the big toe.
2. Wrong shoes.
3. Poor quality pedicure.

Diseases that cause thumb pain

Often, the causes of pain in the big toe are hidden behind the development of a number of diseases, for example, arthritis. Its symptoms are: a decrease in the mobility of the phalanx, its swelling and redness. Arthritis may be:

1. Infectious. A decrease in the overall defense of the body or an untreated viral infection can lead to its development. After streptococcus enters the joint, cartilage tissue is destroyed. Initially, the pathology proceeds without any manifestations. But over time, the patient begins to experience aching pain, which turns into stabbing sensations. Usually, soreness manifests itself during a long rest, for example, at night, but by morning it disappears.
2. In short supply. Such a pathology is associated with a deficiency or, conversely, an overabundance of certain vitamins, salts and minerals, which causes a violation of metabolic processes. Such lesions lead to the fact that there is an accumulation of deposits in the articular region, which provokes pain during a load of any nature.

Rehabilitologist Sergey Nikolayevich Agapkin tells more about the causes, symptoms and treatment of arthritis:

A change in the structure and function of the joint can occur due to the development of such pathological conditions:

• Arthrosis is a change in the structure of soft and cartilaginous tissues.
• Osteoporosis is a gradual decrease in bone tissue caused by a lack of certain trace elements or vitamins.
• bursitis is an inflammatory process in the interarticular bag due to the deposition of salts, immune disorders or deformity of the foot.
• Planovalgus deformity of the foot (gout) is an inward displacement of the big toe, which provokes not only soreness, but also loss of joint mobility.

• Morton's neuroma is a soft tissue thickening caused by pinched nerve endings in the right or left leg, which causes tingling and cramps.
• An ankle joint injury (bruise, dislocation, etc.), which provokes circulatory disorders in the leg, the fingers become numb and swell.
• Diabetes mellitus in patients causes circulatory disorders and without surgery can cause gangrene.

Pain near thumb

In situations where the thumb is swollen, serious problems can be assumed. The following pathological processes are capable of causing swelling of the thumb pad:

1. Gout is a disease associated with the accumulation of excess uric acid in the thumb joint. Over time, the salts calcify, and a bump appears in this place.
2. Deformity of the thumb. This results in a constant inward tilt of the foot. Typically, this pathology is diagnosed in women.
3. Bursitis leads to redness and growth of bumps near the finger due to the presence of a large amount of fluid in the joint bag.

In the video, the doctor talks about the symptoms and treatment of gout:

Joint pain

Doctors note that the joint of the big toe often hurts in the event of the development of arthrosis or arthritis. It is important to remember that the timely detection of pathology and the beginning of its treatment allows you to quickly get rid of unpleasant sensations. Without the necessary therapy, the joint will wear out and the only treatment will be surgery.

The cause of aching pain or a burning sensation near is often an injury to the ankle ligaments due to a large body mass or a high load on the joints of the feet.

Pain on pressure

Discomfort when pressing on the nail or phalanx of the finger can be caused by corns, improperly done pedicure, ingrowth of the nail plate into soft tissues, non-compliance with hygiene rules, damage to the cuticle or fungal infection. At the same time, soft tissues swell, become red and hurt a lot. If signs of purulent infection appear, it is important to immediately consult a doctor to avoid significant damage to the joint.

In the video, neurologist Dmitry Nikolaevich Shubin and cardiologist German Shaevich Gandelman figure out how to choose the right shoes:

For women, a particular cause of pain in the foot is characteristic, which is narrow shoes that are incorrectly sized. Such a pair strongly squeezes the finger. As a result of pressure, not only circulatory disturbance occurs, but deformation also occurs. The pressure also increases walking in high heels. This position of the leg is not physiological. Therefore, the nerve endings are infringed and there is a large load on the fingertips. If such loads act on the foot for a long time, it is deformed.

Pain and swelling of the finger

Before prescribing treatment, the doctor must understand the cause of the pain or swelling of the thumb. Trauma (impact or sprain) often contributes to this. To reduce discomfort, it is necessary to provide the foot with complete rest for a while. In this case, ointments with an anesthetic and vasoconstrictive effect can be used.

Chamomile is one of the most used plants in medicine.

Sharp, jerking pain and swelling appears near the joint when the nail grows in, which began to fester. For the treatment of pathology, the doctor will recommend the use of antiseptics and baths based on folk remedies (chamomile or celandine decoction). Such procedures will help relieve inflammation and pain under the nail of the big toe. You also need to immobilize the affected area. To do this, there is an orthopedic splint - an overlay on the leg.

Diagnostics

If any discomfort occurs near the thumb, it is important to immediately consult a doctor to identify the cause and begin treatment. To begin with, you can visit a therapist who, by prescribing an examination, will be able to establish what causes discomfort in the area of ​​​​the joint of the big toe.

Diagnostics consists in carrying out:

• Biochemical analysis of blood.
• Complete blood count to monitor the level of hemoglobin and leukocytes.
• Blood sugar test.
• A general urine test, which makes it possible to diagnose arthritis.

• X-ray study.
• Analysis to determine the amount of uric acid in the body.
• Computed or magnetic resonance imaging.

After establishing the cause of discomfort, the patient will be sent to a specialist. If an injury is detected - to a traumatologist, if the foot is deformed or arthrosis - to an orthopedic surgeon, if hormonal disorders in the body are detected - to an endocrinologist. Only after that the doctor will be able to prescribe a course of therapy.

Treatment of pain and discomfort

When the big toes hurt near the nail, the patient needs mandatory treatment, which will be based on the results of the examination. The course of therapy is always aimed at eradicating the main cause that led to discomfort.

Ingrown toenail

Sometimes, if the toenail is cut incorrectly, it can begin to grow into the surrounding soft tissues, which causes a lot of discomfort to the patient. Due to this pathology, which occurs not only in adults, but also in a child, the finger turns red and swells. At the same time, getting on your feet becomes more and more difficult.

How to solve the problem with an ingrown nail is dealt with by the therapist Elena Vasilievna Malysheva and the surgeon Oleg Emmanuilovich Lutsevich:

A nail that has begun to grow in requires proper cutting. To do this, you need to contact a surgeon who can teach the patient to do this on their own. The same service is offered by various salons that do pedicures. Its cost depends on the specific institution.

If the nail is not trimmed in time, infection of the soft tissues may occur. In this case, the only way out of the situation is the complete removal of the nail plate.

Trauma and hallux valgus

Getting injured on the leg is quite simple, just hitting it on a heavy object, placing the leg incorrectly, etc. As a result, not only a bruise or hematoma can appear, but also a sprain, dislocation or even a fracture. The injury should be treated by a qualified surgeon who uses a cast on the thumb. In the event of a bruise or sprain, the doctor will recommend an ointment that will help eliminate pain and inflammation in the injured area.

Valgus deformity

To deformity of the toe can lead to: hereditary factors, flat feet and disruption of the endocrine system. Treatment of pathology consists in the use of an orthopedic lining, which allows displacement of the joint. Additionally, anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs are used.

Surgeon Alexei Vasilievich Maksimov tells more about hallux valgus and its treatment:

Folk remedies will help alleviate the patient's condition: applications from medical bile, a mixture of ammonia and red pepper, or baths with turpentine.

Arthritis

The disease is caused by inflammation of the leg joint. The cause of the disease is the penetration of bacteria into the bone. Sometimes autoimmune causes of the disease are diagnosed.

In the case of infectious arthritis, the patient requires treatment with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory drugs. The course of exercise therapy helps to restore the mobility of the joints of the leg.

If an autoimmune cause of the disease is identified, the doctor recommends constant monitoring of the patient's condition and supportive therapy.

The video gives tips on the treatment of arthritis with folk remedies:

Traditional medicine offers its own methods of treating the disease: a raw potato compress, wrapping the legs in the area of ​​the affected joint with the leaves of some plants (cabbage or burdock), which are rubbed until juice appears. Foot baths made from sea salt and a decoction of birch leaves are considered effective. Inside, herbalists suggest taking herbal tinctures from yarrow, tansy, calamus, elder flowers or horse sorrel root.

arthrosis

Pathology is what causes its deformation. Gradually, connective tissues increase, and articular mobility decreases. The cause of the disease is infectious processes and injuries that provoke deformation of the joints on the leg.

Assumes an integrated approach:

• Use of anti-inflammatory drugs.
• Long term intake.
• Physiotherapy (laser therapy, exposure to ultraviolet or wave therapy).

To prevent the toes from touching each other, the patient is recommended to use orthopedic pads.

Orthopedic overlay

In the case of severe arthrosis, an operation is indicated. If you do not pay attention to the pathology in time, then the deformation of the foot gradually begins to occur.

To improve blood circulation in the leg, you can use folk remedies - an alcohol compress with salt and honey, lotions or baths with decoctions of oregano, juniper or thyme. Foot massage is used to stimulate the production of joint fluid.

Gout

The cause of the disease is the accumulation of uric acid. This compound causes joint inflammation throughout the body, including the toes. At the initial stage, a person feels pain only during rest. However, if the pathology progresses for a long time, then the patient is deprived of the opportunity to move and work normally.

Dr. Alexander Leonidovich Myasnikov answers the question about the treatment of gout:

It is not easy to treat gout, but it is possible to avoid its progression. Pain and other symptoms of the disease can be relieved by medications and a special diet recommended by a rheumatologist.

To remove uric acid salts, traditional medicine uses a decoction of red madder root. Their use can cause discomfort in the bladder area.

Diseases of the blood vessels of the legs and diabetes

These diseases include endarteritis, atherosclerosis, etc. All of them are associated with circulatory disorders in the legs, and therefore the treatment will be associated with its resumption. To do this, you need to use vitamins, hormonal and anti-inflammatory ointments. If the patient is worried about acute pain, the doctor may perform a novocaine blockade.

Atherosclerosis of the legs

To strengthen the walls of blood vessels, you need to eat a lot of foods containing vitamin C (blackcurrant, strawberries, rose hips, citrus fruits, etc.).

Diabetes

The development of the disease always negatively affects the health of the legs. On the thumbs, you can notice dry skin, the appearance of ulcers and a burning sensation.

The video gives a recipe for how to lower blood sugar at home:

To get rid of damage to the limbs, it is important to normalize the level of sugar in the body. Additionally, ointments are used that soften and heal damaged skin. Patient reviews prove their effectiveness.

Prevention

To avoid a situation where the big toe is swollen and starts to hurt, you need to follow the preventive rules:

1. Wear only high-quality shoes in size, avoiding tight shoes with high heels. You can wear a heel over 6-7 cm no longer than 3-4 hours a day. It is important that the fingers are always free.
2. If there is a need to stand for a long time, it is important to evenly distribute the load between the legs, constantly changing the supporting leg.
3. Minimize smoking, drinking alcoholic beverages, and too fatty foods.

In the video, doctors advise how to monitor weight without scales:

1. If there are signs of a growing bone near the thumb or if the nails hurt, you need to use a special one and perform the exercises that the doctor will show.
2. Feet need proper care. It is important to prevent rough skin on the feet and to cut the nails properly.
3. Watch your weight, avoiding its excessive increase.
4. Avoid possible injury, and in case of an accident, you need to seek medical help.