Stiff and painful finger joints recognize signs of osteoarthritis and arthritis

Osteoarthritis or arthritis: Stiff fingers indicate both diseases
In difficult-to-move fingers, many people quickly think of the articular disease Arthrosis. Behind the symptoms, however, can also be an arthritis, which manifests itself by inflammation. More than half a million Germans are affected.

Stiff joints are a symptom of osteoarthritis and arthritis
Rigid joints are considered by healthcare professionals to be a typical symptom of osteoarthritis. However, they may also indicate rheumatoid arthritis. For example, the finger joints feel stiff after a long break or in the morning after getting up. The two diseases are often confused.

With stiff fingers one often thinks immediately of an arthrosis. But the symptoms can also point to a rheumatoid arthritis. (Image: From Schonertagen / fotolia.com)

The own immune system attacks the body
The Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG) points out on its patient information portal "gesundheitsinformation.de" that rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory disease, while osteoarthritis is caused by wear. Its own immune system attacks the body because it perceives its own cells as foreign substances. The result is inflammatory reactions. In people with rheumatoid arthritis, especially the joints are affected by an autoimmune reaction.

Over half a million citizens affected
According to the German Society of Rheumatology (DGRh), rheumatoid arthritis is the most common inflammatory joint disease. Around 550,000 Germans suffer from it. Women are affected three times more often. The onset of disease is possible at any age, but is usually between the 40th and 50th year of life.

Arthritis is progressing slowly
When talking about "rheumatism", it usually means rheumatoid arthritis. "Rheumatoid arthritis usually progresses slowly over many years," write the experts at IQWiG. "Various treatments can relieve the pain and slow the progression of the disease. Identifying and treating them as early as possible helps to prevent joint damage. "

Medicines and natural remedies
In the case of rheumatism, medicines are usually used which, in addition to pain relief, have the important function of preventing or at least slowing down permanent damage to the joints. Often help against the pain in rheumatism and natural remedies, such as the Radonwärmetherapie in warm healing tunnels. However, rheumatism can not heal so far. (Ad)