Joint pain in the finger

We humans are so dependent on our hands that we often regret having only two hands. For this reason, you should pay special attention to the two you have. No other joints in our body are subjected to such daily stress as the finger joints. Strength Pain in finger joints after a long day at work or numbness in the fingers in the morning can be warning signs of serious joint disease that should definitely not be ignored.

What is joint pain in the finger

The joint pain in the finger can take different forms: it can be weak or strong, recurring or constant pain or numbness. If the person concerned does not feel any pain as such, he should not ignore the external signs: redness, swelling and / or rash on the finger joints, sometimes accompanied by increased body temperature.

The first symptoms usually have to do with the fingers of the more active hand that are most stressed - the thumb and index finger of the right hand.

causes

The cause of joint pain in the finger can be a whole range of diseases. Arthritis pain (joint inflammation) is always accompanied by swelling.

In rheumatoid arthritis, the pain usually occurs in the left and right hand at the same time. The severe deformation of the joints and the numbness of the fingers in osteoarthritis significantly impede the mobility of the fingers. The cracking of joints when moving is typical for Easter osteoarthritis.

Gout often affects people who eat a lot of meat. This food contains purine, which can build up in the joints and cause pain. Cold fingers and discoloration are typical of Raynaud's syndrome.

Various other factors can also contribute to joint pain in the finger: finger and hand injuries, chronic infectious diseases, diseases of the immune system, hormonal disorders, hypothermia, bad ecology and much more.

Diseases with this symptom

• Raynaud's Syndrome
• Hypothermia (frostbite)

• Inflammation of the joints (arthritis)
• gout

• Finger osteoarthritis
• Dislocated finger

Diagnosis & course

The symptoms mentioned above can be used to rule out certain diseases, but self-diagnosis and self-healing are neither easy nor advisable.

The diagnosis should be carried out by a specialist through an external examination and x-rays, which reveal disease-specific deformations. By talking to the patient, he will also be able to take other peculiarities into account, e.g. B. What stress the joints are exposed to and whether there is a familial predisposition to the disease.

If necessary, a blood test or a puncture will then be carried out. Other imaging methods such as computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can provide more precise information about the condition of the joints and the stage of the disease.

Complications

Joint pain in the finger is usually the symptom of a deeper disease. Possible complications usually only arise in the later course of this disease, but depending on the cause, they quickly develop into chronic complaints. Initially, joint pain in the finger restricts the freedom of movement of the limbs; the joints become stiffened and later deformed, which can affect gripping and other movements.

In the case of severe pain, this stiffening can be deliberately brought about as part of the treatment in order to avoid further pain. In both cases, stiffening of the fingers has serious effects on the quality of life, mobility and ability to work of those affected. Chronic joint pain in the finger leads to permanent joint damage, accompanied by a spread of the pain center to the entire hand and wrists. The swelling of the fingers can, among other things, lead to circulatory disorders. Joint pain that occurs as a result of gout is often associated with kidney damage such as kidney stones.

In addition, other joints stiffen in the further course, which in turn is associated with similar complaints. Home remedies should not be used to treat pain, as these can put even more strain on the joints, which are already stressed, and can lead to swelling or allergies, for example. Clarification by a doctor is essential for joint pain in the finger.

When should you go to the doctor?

It is often difficult for medical laypersons to correctly assess their joint pain in the finger and, above all, to decide whether to see a doctor. Sore finger joints can be due to overuse. When in doubt, it is always better to see a doctor if you have joint pain in the finger. The earlier the treatment starts on a diseased finger joint, the better. Otherwise there is a risk of permanent deformation of the joint with restricted mobility.

The first way for joint pain in the finger is best to go to the family doctor. In a detailed conversation he will discuss possible causes with his patient. For example, there may be a familial predisposition to joint pain in the finger. The patient’s job, everyday life and the course of the complaint are also informative for the treating doctor. The physical examination of the patient is followed by technical methods such as X-rays or ultrasound. Laboratory values ​​based on a blood test can also provide valuable information about the cause.

In addition to dislocations, common reasons for joint pain in the fingers are arthritis, finger arthrosis and gout. Specialists such as internists, orthopedists and surgeons are the main contact persons after the general practitioner for joint pain in the finger.

Doctors & therapists in your area

Treatment & Therapy

In the treatment of finger joint diseases, there is no way around a rheumatologist who will prescribe the right massage, the required pain relievers and a diet.

The therapy for joint pain can vary depending on the disease. In general, all drugs designed to suppress degenerative joint disease contain chondroitin. This substance strengthens the cartilage tissue and supports bone metabolism. Doctors strongly recommend excluding animal products, especially meat, from your ration and switching to a plant-based diet as far as possible.

Prescribed dietary supplements contain important vitamins and antioxidants that help strengthen the entire immune system. Minerals and plant extracts have a soothing effect on swelling and promote metabolic processes in joints.

Since the pain can be very severe during therapy, one is mostly dependent on pain medication. These contain anesthetics that have certain side effects. It is all the more important to seek advice from your doctor when making your choice. Natural ingredients are preferable to chemical ones. Exercises to strengthen wrists are essential. What is important is the regularity and gradual increase in the load on the joints. In some cases, surgery can provide significant relief.

A general tip for joint pain in the fingers is to reduce the strain at work, everyday life and sport and to relieve your wrists as much as possible.

Some time ago some joint diseases of the fingers were considered incurable and so you had to be prepared for a lifelong fight against the disease. However, as new therapies and drugs are developed, experts are becoming more and more confident.

Outlook & forecast

Joint pain in the finger mostly indicates profound diseases such as arthritis, gout, rheumatism, osteoporosis or arthrosis. Most patients do not develop complications until the disease progresses. For this reason, the treatment for some people is comparatively late and the positive prospect of a cure is reduced. The patient's quality of life and mobility deteriorate due to the chronic pain.

If the doctor determines joint pain in the finger due to excessive strain, inflammation, injury, natural signs of wear and tear, metabolic disorders or dislocations, the prognosis is positive, as the symptoms can be cured within a few weeks with medication, relief at work and everyday life as well as physiotherapy. The initial situation is also favorable if the pain is due to the wrong diet, for example being overweight, as successful treatment through diet or dietary changes is possible.

If the joint pain in the finger is due to serious illnesses such as gout, rheumatism, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis or arthritis, the prognosis is less positive. Most patients are affected by the respective disease for the rest of their lives, which can, however, be treated by various therapeutic measures to the extent that maximum pain relief and thus an improved quality of life are brought about.

Due to the menopause, women are ten times more likely to develop osteoarthritis of the finger joints than men. Men under the age of 55, on the other hand, complain more often of pain in the finger joints that are not due to osteoarthritis.

prevention

The exact causes of some joint diseases are not known exactly, but joint pain in the fingers can be prevented. With balanced movement and sport, a synovial fluid is produced that supplies the cartilage with the necessary nutrients. In your diet you should avoid fatty and acidic foods and keep your consumption of sweets and alcohol low.

Prevention should start early - although chronic joint pain in the fingers is more likely to occur in people over 40, joint problems can also develop in young people who are just over 20.

You can do that yourself

Joint pain in the finger is harmless in many cases and can be alleviated by simple measures and home remedies. It is usually sufficient to relax the fingers for a few minutes and massage them gently. Stretching exercises warm up the muscles and loosen up stiff joints.

Depending on the cause, warming gloves, cool packs or pain-relieving teas and preparations can help against acute complaints.If the sore fingers are the result of osteoarthritis, home remedies such as ginger, turmeric or apple cider vinegar can provide relief. These natural agents have anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce pain and stiffness, and improve finger mobility. Thermal treatments, massages or physiotherapy can also be used. Radon heat therapy, in which the pain is treated with the help of heat, massage and pressure points, has proven its worth for joint pain caused by rheumatism.

Furthermore, a healthy and balanced diet and avoiding cigarettes and alcohol are recommended. Luxury foods and fatty foods can aggravate the inflammatory processes and should be avoided until the causal disease has healed. If the joint pain in the finger persists despite all measures, a doctor should be consulted.