[Idiopathic arthritis of the finger joints].

Degenerative arthritis of the finger joints is a very common disease in middle-aged and elderly patients, in females more frequently than in males. Concerning differential diagnosis rheumatoid arthritis and related conditions, gout, calcinosis, tumors and tumor-like lesions must be considered. Therapy is not necessary in every case. Usually treatment is required if the disease causes pains, joint instability or disabling deformity. Conservative treatment such as diet, physiotherapy, orthotics, local physical and antiphlogistic drug treatment or systemic application of non-steroid antiphlogistics should be preferred. Operative procedures such as removal of osteophytes, arthrodesis or arthroplasty are indicated if conservative treatment fails.