Capsulitis is a benign inflammation of the capsule of a joint. The joint capsule is the fibrous tissue that surrounds a mobile joint. It serves to stabilize it and prevents the bone segments from moving too much. Its inner wall produces synovial fluid, which is what lubricates the joint. In this way, it protects it in the event of a crash and friction. When the capsule becomes inflamed, capsulitis occurs, causing long-lasting pain and stiffness in the area. It is a typical injury of some sports such as handball, volleyball or soccer goalkeepers. The inflammation occurs due to a bruise or blow and evolves over the hours, spreading to the adjacent phalanges and even causing hematoma. This makes it impossible to stretch the finger correctly. However, it has a treatment and a solution. In this oneHOWTO article we tell you how to cure capsulitis on the finger.
How to treat capsulitis on the finger
It is important to treat capsulitis right away. For this, the doctor usually recommends the use of creams or anti-inflammatory gels topically during the first 24 hours, in addition to immobilizing the joint. Paracetamol or an oral anti-inflammatory may also be prescribed to reduce pain.
There are several ways to immobilize the finger, such as a manual bandage with tape. In this case, the affected finger is joined with the healthy finger next to it. The only drawback of this bandage is that it is unhygienic and limits the use of the healthy finger. However, it goes very well when you cannot go to the doctor.
If you go to the doctor, they will most likely use a splint to immobilize the joint. There are several, from foam to aluminum. However, the most commonly used are stack splints, which are rigid ones that wrap around the finger. They are hard, which allows the finger to be completely immobile.
In addition, to complete the treatment it is recommended do rehabilitation, to be able to be supervised by a physiotherapist.
Home remedies for capsulitis on the finger
There are some home remedies that you can apply to treat capsulitis on the finger as they are:
Ginger baths
To do this, fill a container with fairly hot water (but do not burn) and add three heaping tablespoons of ginger powder. Insert the hand or foot of the affected toe for 15 minutes or until the water cools. You can take advantage and apply a massage to the joint.
Home exercises to rehabilitate the finger
There are many exercises with living utensils at home that will help you improve capsulitis. For example, you can pick up a clothespin with your affected thumb and finger and try to open it. It is important to do it gently and not press your finger or force until you feel too much pain, although something will bother you. In addition, it is important to also keep the rest of the joints flexed and not extended.
With a rubber band (for example made of hair) you can place it so that it embraces the thumb and the affected finger. If necessary give it a double turn to make it taut. For this exercise join and spread the fingers. The tension of the rubber will make you have to make an effort to separate them and will serve as rehabilitation.
Ligament massages
Another remedy that can help improve your capsulitis is ligament massage. To do this, with the tips of the thumb and index fingers, of the opposite hand, massage around the joint so that by means of pressure you immobilize it but without feeling pain. Once you have obtained the correct pressure, we move the fingers back and forth simultaneously or alternately.
Ice to prevent swelling
Ice applied just after injury can prevent inflammation by reducing blood supply. It should be applied when the joint is swollen, hot and painful, or when we think we have overdone the exercises. You should only apply it for 10 to 15 minutes and never directly, you always have to protect the skin with a tissue or thin towel.
How to prevent capsulitis on the finger
Capsulitis can appear not only in sports, but also in a workday in which the same movements are continuously repeated. Therefore, they must avoid repetitive movements and you can also rest every so often.
In addition, when it comes to capsulitis due to sports, other aspects must be taken into account that could prevent us from suffering an inflammation in the capsule of the finger joint:
- Don’t force your joints beyond your means. For example, trying to catch or throw a ball harder or harder.
- If you have had this problem before, it is recommended that you bandage your fingers properly to exercise.
- You can exercise your fingers with exercises. There are some devices that allow you to exercise the strength and mobility of your fingers.
Capsulitis on the second toe
There’s a type of capsulitis known as capsulitis on the second toe that usually affects mainly the foot. This case of inflammation is usually due to excess pressure on the ball of the foot, below the toe joint. There are people prone to this, for example when there is a severe deformity of the bunion, when the second toe is longer than the big toe, an arch that is unstable due to its structure, or the calf muscle is tight.
This type of capsulitis causes pain, especially in the anterior part of the sole of the foot. The sensation is as if we had a stone in our shoe. In addition, it causes swelling, difficulty wearing shoes and pain if you walk barefoot.
To treat it, you can use ice while maintaining rest of that foot, oral pain medication, such as an anti-inflammatory, bandages so that it remains in the correct position and does not move, changes in footwear or even orthopedic devices. However, in cases where the toe has moved towards the big toe, surgery will be required to treat it.
This article is merely informative, at oneHOWTO we do not have the power to prescribe any medical treatment or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.
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