Protruding veins: causes and treatment methods

Hands are the second most important part of the body (after the face), which is paid attention to during visual contact. At the same time, after performing a rejuvenating procedure on the face, the hands can show the real age of a person.

Dilated veins on the arms of famous artists

The most common reasons for the appearance of dilated veins in the arms are: increased stress on the arms due to the characteristics of professional work or sports and age-related changes associated with hypotrophy of the skin, subcutaneous tissue, as well as a decrease in the number of elastic fibers in the vein wall.

Age-related changes on the hands

Is there a way to improve the appearance of your hands and remove unsightly, crooked, bulging veins on your hands? Yes, there is a way! The technique of sclerotherapy of veins in the arms in Moscow has been successfully used for a long time in our phlebology center. It is also suitable for eliminating enlarged veins and spider veins on the legs, face and other parts of the body. Hands are no exception to this technique, but its implementation has a number of subtleties, and therefore, it is performed only by highly professional phlebologists who have extensive experience working with sclerotherapy drugs.

Why is sclerotherapy for unsightly arm veins better than other treatments?

To remove veins in the arms, classical techniques can be used - miniphlebectomy in its cosmetic version (removal of veins through micropunctures) or endovenous laser obliteration (suitable only for straight venous areas of large diameter). However, these techniques are quite traumatic, expensive and in some cases not very cosmetic - after the operation, bruises persist for several weeks, and scars from punctures may remain.

In contrast to these procedures, sclerotherapy on the hands is effective, safe, its implementation does not require serious financial costs, and the ability to work is not impaired during this manipulation.

Diagnostics

The diagnosis of arthritis of small joints of the hands is established on the basis of examination and questioning of the patient and is confirmed by laboratory and instrumental studies:

• Laboratory tests
  - reveal the content of components confirming the inflammatory process, the presence of infectious pathogens and antibodies to them, as well as rheumatoid factor.
• Instrumental
  :
  Ultrasound
  – reveals the presence of excess fluid in the joint;
• radiography
  - the presence of bone changes (narrowing of the joint space, bone ankylosis);
• MRI
  – presence of changes in soft articular and periarticular tissues;
• arthroscopy
  - endoscopic examination, allows you to see the inner lining of the joint and all changes in it; During diagnostic arthroscopy, you can take fluid or a piece of tissue for examination.

How is sclerotherapy performed on the hands?

No special preparation is required for this procedure. The procedure itself can be performed in a treatment room (manipulation room). After treating the patient’s hands with an antiseptic solution, the phlebologist performs a puncture of the dilated vein on the arm with a needle and injects into it with a syringe a solution or foam form of a pre-prepared sclerosant (a substance that causes “sticking” and subsequent “resorption” of the target vein). The vein is punctured to administer the sclerosant using a thin needle of very small caliber, which ensures virtually no pain during the injection. After administering the drug, the hand is bandaged with an elastic bandage or a special compression glove is put on and the patient is sent home. Occlusion (“gluing”) of the vein occurs within a few days; resorption of the dilated vein usually takes several weeks.

Injection of sclerosant into a dilated vein on the hand

General information about the disease

Arthritis of the hands often develops against the background of high functional load on the joints of the hand and their injury. The hand consists of many small bones connected into joints: the wrist, carpometacarpal and metacarpophalangeal. There are many blood vessels and nerves in the hand area, so all pathological processes are painful. ICD-10 disease code (other unspecified arthritis) is M13.

Arthritis of the hands often develops during adolescence as growth occurs and is accompanied by severe deformities. No less often they develop in the second half of life due to hormonal disorders, against the background of sports, domestic and professional injuries. The disease can equally develop in people of any gender.

Results of arm vein removal 1 month after the procedure

Veins of the forearm before (left) and after (right) sclerotherapy

Veins of the dorsal surface of the hand before (left) and after (right) sclerotherapy

Treatment of hand arthritis

How and with what to treat arthritis of the hands, the doctor decides after examination and establishing a final diagnosis. Any treatment carried out without examination will not be effective, since different types of arthritis are treated differently. In any case, the patient is prescribed an individually selected comprehensive treatment. It includes:

• drug therapy;
• physiotherapeutic procedures;
• Exercise therapy, massage;
• reflexology (RT);
• traditional methods of treatment.

If conservative therapy is ineffective, surgical treatment methods are prescribed.

Read our article “Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis in women.”

Drug therapy

For hand arthritis, the following medications are prescribed:

1. NSAID groups – relieve pain, inflammation and fever. The most effective NSAID drug is Diclofenac, but it causes irritation of the gastric mucosa, so today more modern drugs of this group are prescribed - Meloxicam, Celebrex, Nimesulide in the form of injections (injections), tablets or capsules for oral administration and external agents (ointments, creams, gels). ).
2. For severe swelling and pain that cannot be relieved with NSAIDs, glucocorticoid hormones are prescribed in the form of short courses of oral tablets, intravenous infusions or intra-articular injections. They perfectly eliminate all unpleasant symptoms.
3. In subacute and chronic cases, drugs that suppress immune processes (basic therapy) are prescribed: Methotrexate, Sulfasalazine, Azathioprine, etc.
4. Medicines from the group of biological agents that include antibodies and cytokines (MabThera) also suppress immune reactions.
5. If the cause of the disease is an infection, drugs are prescribed that suppress it.
6. Antihistamines to reduce allergies - Claritin, Erius, Cetrin, etc.
7. Chondroprotectors - agents that restore cartilage tissue of joints - Teraflex, Dona, etc.
8. Vitamins and minerals that restore metabolism.

Drug treatment for arthritis of the hands is carried out using drugs from the NSAID group, drugs that suppress immune processes, and other drugs.

Physiotherapeutic procedures

Depending on the stage of the disease, physiotherapeutic procedures are added to the drug treatment of arthritis of the hands, which significantly enhance the therapeutic effect and accelerate the process of tissue restoration:

• at the stage of inflammation
  - electrophoresis and phonophoresis with painkillers, anti-inflammatory drugs;
• at the recovery stage
  - magnetic therapy, laser therapy, thermal procedures (paraffin, ozokerite).

In a state of stable remission of arthritis of the hands, sanatorium-resort treatment is recommended - mud, baths in combination with hardware physiotherapeutic techniques. Kavminvod sanatoriums are perfect.

Crunching in joints - when to worry

Intra-articular injections of hyaluronic acid

Massage

These procedures are done in a state of remission. Both therapeutic massage performed by a massage therapist and self-massage are very effective. You can independently perform the following most effective, but at the same time gentle massage movements every day after applying massage oil to your hands:

• rubbing the back surface: with sliding movements of one hand, rub the back surface of the other in the direction from the wrist to the fingertips; then change hands;
• rubbing the side surfaces of the fingers: interlock your fingers and move your hands so that the side surfaces of the fingers are rubbed;
• rubbing the palms: with the fingers of one hand, forcefully rub the palms of the other in the direction from the wrist to the fingers;
• soft massage movement “hand washes hand”;
• stroking hands with light sliding movements.

Daily massage improves blood circulation, helps revitalize metabolic processes and restore tissue.

Physiotherapy

Physical therapy (physical therapy) complexes are prescribed by a doctor. It is better to undergo the first training sessions under the supervision of a physical therapy instructor, and then continue at home. The following exercises will help improve your well-being:

• rolling an apple or a tennis ball
  - roll a medium-sized apple (to fit in the palm) or a tennis ball between the palms, actively pressing on the soft tissues; also actively roll the apple on the table;
• rolling chestnuts between palms and fingers
  - take 2-3 chestnuts at once and roll between palms and fingers, as well as on a smooth table surface;
• clenching and unclenching a fist
  - clench your palms into a fist and hold it tense, then sharply unclench it with all fingers straightened like a fan; repeat 10 times;
• beating out the rhythm with your palm
  - with open palms, beat out any clear rhythm on the table (march, rap, whatever you like);
• flexion-extension
  - place your elbows on the table, raise your forearms parallel to each other; make a simultaneous tilt of the hands forward, then back, right and left; repeat everything 5 times.

Therapeutic gymnastics helps improve blood circulation, restores the strength of muscles and ligaments, improves joint mobility, and prevents the destruction of cartilage. It is carried out in a state of remission.

Reflexology

Therapeutic exercises with a ball and reflexology will help cure arthritis of the hands

An ancient Chinese method, successfully integrated into modern medicine. It is based on a reflex effect on the entire body, as well as on individual organs and tissues through certain points on the human body. Most often, the effect is carried out using acupuncture (acupuncture), but you can also cauterize (warm up) the points with wormwood cigarettes, do acupressure and use other techniques. This method has proven itself in the treatment of hand arthritis.

Traditional methods

Folk remedies (herbal decoctions and tinctures) are also actively included in complex treatment as additional methods. But the doctor prescribes them ,

self-medication should be excluded. Traditional recipes:

• compresses from dry elm bark; grind the raw materials, grind them into powder, dilute with water to a pasty state, transfer to a napkin and apply to the affected joints; Apply polyethylene and insulation on top and leave overnight; perfectly relieves pain and swelling;
• ointment from dried poplar buds; crush the raw materials in a mortar, add the same amount of melted butter and rub into your hands several times a day; analgesic effect.

Surgery

In the acute period, surgical treatment is carried out for a purulent inflammatory process: the pus is removed, the joint cavity is washed with an antiseptic solution.

Surgery is sometimes required for long-term, wave-like arthritis with severe pain and swelling: part of the synovial membrane is removed (synovectomy). This gives a positive result and brings relief to the patient.

When a complete loss of joint function occurs, endoprosthetics is performed - replacing the destroyed joint with an artificial one.

Read about new treatments for rheumatoid arthritis in this article.

Home remedies

To reduce symptoms and alleviate the condition in mild forms of the disease, you can resort to traditional medicine.

• There are herbal remedies with proven effectiveness, such as horse chestnut extract and hesperidin from citrus peels, on the basis of which Detralex is created. These medications are taken as prescribed by a doctor.
• In the same way, pre-beaten cabbage leaves are tied for several hours.
• Cut green tomatoes are used as a base for compresses, but they cannot be left for a long time: as soon as a burning sensation occurs, stop the procedure and wash the skin with water.
• Grated potatoes, lemon, apple cider vinegar, viburnum berries, propolis, mumiyo and other remedies are applied externally to the veins.
• It is recommended to take a hot infusion of crushed nutmeg, at the rate of 1/3 tbsp, for swelling of the veins and to relieve inflammation. l. per glass of boiling water. You should drink it in the morning, on an empty stomach, and prepare a fresh portion each time.
• In the form of tea or infusion, you can use Kalanchoe, wormwood, wood lice, and white willow bark.

First aid

If your vein suddenly swells and hurts, you don’t know the reason, and there is no way to see a doctor, then you need to alleviate your condition before visiting a doctor. For this:

• Relieve your hands from the load, cool them moderately and try to hold them higher, do not lower them for a long time, even during night sleep.
• You can smear the surface of your hand with anesthetic cream, products with heparin, and also take analgesics orally, if the temperature rises - antipyretics.
• Do not wrap your hands too tightly with an elastic bandage. Do not heat vessels or stand under a hot shower until the causes of the illness are determined.
• You should also avoid salty, spicy, smoked foods and carbonated water, all foods that increase swelling.

To prevent possible problems with veins, you need to regularly take tests and check blood clotting. Follow the rules when collecting biomaterial: keep your arm bent after puncturing the vessel, do not load it during the day. When inserting a catheter or IV, make sure to alternate hands.

If a lump, a large painful bruise appears at the site of venipuncture in the bend of the elbow joint, the forearm or palm swells, and these symptoms increase, do not wait for the pathology to progress to a serious stage, take measures in a timely manner.

Frequently asked questions about the disease

I have arthritis in my hand since childhood. Will they take me into the army?

If the function of the joint is impaired, then no.

I had arthritis in my wrist after gonorrhea. Can it be completely cured?

Infectious arthritis can be completely cured if the correct treatment is prescribed in time.

What is the best way to smear your brushes so that they don’t hurt?

You need to consult your doctor. The best painkillers are Voltaren emulgel and Menovazin rubbing solution.

Arthritis of the hand joints is best treated in the early stages. But if you were unable to seek medical help in time, then do not be discouraged: everything can be treated.

At the Moscow Paramita clinic, arthritis of the hands is treated at any stage. Our patients forget about pain after the first acupuncture sessions. Further rehabilitation therapy takes place in comfortable conditions and is completely painless. We will restore your health!

Literature:

1. Shelepina T.A. Rehabilitation therapy in the complex treatment of JRA. Pediatric rheumatology. !995, 13 – 16.
2. Blokhin V.N. Trauma and reconstructive surgery of the hand. Orthopedist, traumatologist and Prosthetics, 1973, 6, 63-38.
3. Woog PHNFular Publishers, Basle, 1978.

Themes

Arthritis, Joints, Pain, Treatment without surgery Date of publication: 11/17/2020 Date of update: 04/03/2021

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Treatment approach in our clinic

At our clinic, specialists have developed a special approach to treating this disease. After a thorough examination of the patient (including an MRI), a comprehensive treatment is prescribed, which includes:

• modern developments in medical science: the latest medications and regimens for their use, physiotherapeutic and other non-drug methods that eliminate the main manifestations of the disease and suppress its progression;
• Traditional oriental methods influence the body as a whole, restoring the functioning of all its organs and systems, which leads to the suppression of the pathological process in the joints.

This combination allows you to quickly and painlessly relieve the patient of all unpleasant symptoms, and then suppress the progression of the disease and restore joint function. Details about the treatment methods used can be found on our website.

We combine proven techniques of the East and innovative methods of Western medicine.
Read more about our unique method of treating arthritis