Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsArthritisAutoimmune DiseasesCarpal Tunnel SyndromeCystsDe Quervain’s TenosynovitisDupuytren’s ContractureGoutInfectionsInjuriesPeripheral NeuropathyRaynaud’s SyndromeWhen to See a Provider
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Arthritis
Autoimmune Diseases
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Cysts
De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis
Dupuytren’s Contracture
Gout
Infections
Injuries
Peripheral Neuropathy
Raynaud’s Syndrome
When to See a Provider
A physical exam can often provide clues as to the underlying cause. Joint or finger swelling, redness or heat, or changes in skin color texture are just some of the signs healthcare providers will look for. When trying to pinpoint the cause of your finger pain, they will also want to know if the finger pain is acute (sudden and severe), chronic (persistent), or comes and goes in episodic flares.
Here are 27 possible causes of finger pain and the various ways they can be treated:
Aaron Amat / Getty Images
Osteoarthritis (OA)is one of the most common causes of finger pain, particularly in older adults. Also known as “wear-and-tear arthritis,” OA is an aging-related condition in which joint cartilage gradually deteriorates, leading to joint pain, stiffness, and deformity. OA can affect any joint but is common in the smaller joints of the fingers and thumb.
OA of the fingers is treated with finger exercises,ice packs,heat therapy, over-the-counternonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs),cortisone injections, and, in severe cases, joint replacement (arthroplasty).
Autoimmune diseases are those in which the body’s immune system targets and attacks healthy tissues with inflammation. There are several that can directly or collaterally affect the joints of the fingers, including:
With the exception of scleroderma, one of the common features of all these diseases isdactylitis. This is when your fingers swell, giving them a round, puffed-up shape like sausages.
The treatment of these autoimmune disorders can differ but may include many of the same supportive therapies as OA when the hands are involved.Immunosuppressant drugsare also commonly used to temper the inappropriate immune response.
CTS may be treated with rest, ice,wrist splints, cortisone injections, andcarpal tunnel surgery.
Acystis a small pocket of tissue filled with fluid or pus that can develop as a result of an injury, infection, or other issues. There are two types that can affect the hands and fingers, causing pain either directly or indirectly:
Some cysts may resolve on their own or be manageable with NSAIDS or cortisone injections. Others may requirecyst aspiration(the removal of fluid with a needle) or surgical removal of the cyst.
De Quervain’s tenosynovitisis the chronic inflammation of the tendons of the thumb. This can develop due to repetitive strain from activities like wringing out a washcloth, gripping a golf club, lifting a child, or hammering a nail. Symptoms include pain, tenderness, and swelling at the base of the thumb.
De Quervain’s tenosynovitis is typically treated with rest, ice or heat therapy, hand exercises, NSAIDs, or a surgical procedure called atenotomy(tendon release) in which the tightened sheath around the tendon is severed.
While cortisone injections andcollagenase injectionsmay provide relief in the early stages, surgery in the form offasciotomy(in which thickened tissues are split) orfasciectomy(in which thickened tissues are removed) may be performed to improve hand function.
Goutis an inflammatory arthritis that people mainly associate with the big toe but can also affect the wrist and finger joints, causing extreme pain, swelling, stiffness, and heat. Gout occurs when high uric acid levels in the blood cause the formation of crystals in joints. Gout attacks are episodic and can often occur after eating foods like shellfish that arehigh in purine.
Many different bacterial and viral infections can cause finger pain along with swelling, redness, heat, and stiffness. Some of the more common include:
Minor infections may heal on their own, but severe bacterial infections may benefit from a short course ofantibioticswhile viral ones like herpetic whitlow can be treated withantiviral drugslike acyclovir.
The fingers and hands are vulnerable to injury during work, sports, or a serious fall or impact. They can also occur due to repetitive motions that place cumulative stress on joints or connective tissues.
Some of the more common injuries include:
Minor injuries may heal with rest, ice application, splinting, NSAIDs, andphysical therapy. Severe cases may require surgery.
The causes of peripheral neuropathy are extensive ranging from alcohol abuse, autoimmune diseases, and HIV to chemotherapy, spinal injury, and diabetes.
Raynaud’s syndromeis a condition in which the fingers, and sometimes the toes, become pale, painful, tingly, or swollen in response to cold temperatures and stress. The symptoms of Raynaud’s syndrome result from constriction of small blood vessels in the hands and feet.
Raynaud’s syndrome can occur on its own for no known reason (referred to as primary Raynaud’s syndrome) or as a symptom of another disease (referred to as secondary Raynaud’s syndrome).
Secondary causes include carpal tunnel syndrome,connective tissue diseases,vascular diseases, and medications likebeta-blockers,chemotherapy, somemigraine drugs, andattention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder medicines.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Contact your healthcare provider if your finger pain persists longer than a week, especially if you did not injure your hands or fingers. Many causes of finger pain and swelling are related to underlying conditions.
Some signs and symptoms suggest you should schedule a visit to see a healthcare provider, such as:
Summary
Many conditions can cause finger pain, including osteoarthritis, autoimmune diseases, infections, acute injuries, gout, cysts, carpal tunnel syndrome, Dupuytren’s contracture, De Quervain’s tenosynovitis, peripheral neuropathy, and Raynaud’s syndrome.
Many can be managed with rest, ice/heat application, OTC painkillers, cortisone injections, and splinting. Others may require surgery to repair injuries or correct structural deformities of the bones, joints, or connective tissues of the fingers.
19 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Osteoarthritis: diagnosis, treatment, and steps to take.Kaeley GS. Eder L. Aydin SZ, Gutierrez M, Bakewell C.Dactylitis: a hallmark of psoriatic arthritis.Sem Arthritis Rheumatism. 2018 Oct;48(2):263-273. doi:10.1016/j.semarthrit.2018.02.002National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.Autoimmune diseases.American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Carpal tunnel syndrome.Wakasugi T, Saito K.Synovial cyst of the little finger originating from a degenerative wrist joint.J Hand Surg Glob Online.2021 Sep;3(5):311–314. doi:10.1016/j.jhsg.2021.06.001American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Ganglion cyst of the wrist and hand.Goel R, Abzug JM.De Quervain’s tenosynovitis: a review of the rehabilitative options.Hand (N Y).2015;10(1):1-5. doi:10.1007/s11552-014-9649-3American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Dupuytren’s disease.Hainer BL, Matheson E, Wilkes RT.Diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of gout.Am Fam Physician.2014;90(12):831-6Tong SY, Davis JS, Eichenberger E, Holland TL, Fowler VG Jr.Staphylococcus aureus infections: epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, and management.Clin Microbiol Rev. 2015 Jul;28(3):603-61. doi:10.1128/CMR.00134-14Foret T, Coutier F, Razafindramaro N, Golden C, Faure C.Atypical paronychia: don’t forget herpesvirus.Dermatol Online J.2021 Jan 15;27(1):13030/qt88z306fm.Chan E, Robertson BF, Johnson SM.Kanavel signs of flexor sheath infection: a cautionary tale.Br J Gen Pract. 2019;69(683):315-316. doi:10.3399/bjgp19X704081Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About cellulitis.Haase SC, Chung KC.Current concepts in treatment of fracture-dislocations of the proximal interphalangeal joint.Plast Reconstr Surg. 2014;134(6):1246-57. doi:10.1097/PRS.0000000000000854American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Sprains, strains and other soft-tissue injuries.University of Rochester Medical Center.Bursitis.Donaldson J, Haddad B, Khan WS.The pathophysiology, diagnosis and current management of acute compartment syndrome.Open Orthopaed J. 2014;8:185–93. doi: 10.2174/1874325001408010185National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Peripheral neuropathy.Wigley FM, Flavahan NA.Raynaud’s phenomenon.N Engl J Med. 2016;375(6):556-565. doi:10.1056/NEJMra1507638
19 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Osteoarthritis: diagnosis, treatment, and steps to take.Kaeley GS. Eder L. Aydin SZ, Gutierrez M, Bakewell C.Dactylitis: a hallmark of psoriatic arthritis.Sem Arthritis Rheumatism. 2018 Oct;48(2):263-273. doi:10.1016/j.semarthrit.2018.02.002National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.Autoimmune diseases.American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Carpal tunnel syndrome.Wakasugi T, Saito K.Synovial cyst of the little finger originating from a degenerative wrist joint.J Hand Surg Glob Online.2021 Sep;3(5):311–314. doi:10.1016/j.jhsg.2021.06.001American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Ganglion cyst of the wrist and hand.Goel R, Abzug JM.De Quervain’s tenosynovitis: a review of the rehabilitative options.Hand (N Y).2015;10(1):1-5. doi:10.1007/s11552-014-9649-3American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Dupuytren’s disease.Hainer BL, Matheson E, Wilkes RT.Diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of gout.Am Fam Physician.2014;90(12):831-6Tong SY, Davis JS, Eichenberger E, Holland TL, Fowler VG Jr.Staphylococcus aureus infections: epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, and management.Clin Microbiol Rev. 2015 Jul;28(3):603-61. doi:10.1128/CMR.00134-14Foret T, Coutier F, Razafindramaro N, Golden C, Faure C.Atypical paronychia: don’t forget herpesvirus.Dermatol Online J.2021 Jan 15;27(1):13030/qt88z306fm.Chan E, Robertson BF, Johnson SM.Kanavel signs of flexor sheath infection: a cautionary tale.Br J Gen Pract. 2019;69(683):315-316. doi:10.3399/bjgp19X704081Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About cellulitis.Haase SC, Chung KC.Current concepts in treatment of fracture-dislocations of the proximal interphalangeal joint.Plast Reconstr Surg. 2014;134(6):1246-57. doi:10.1097/PRS.0000000000000854American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Sprains, strains and other soft-tissue injuries.University of Rochester Medical Center.Bursitis.Donaldson J, Haddad B, Khan WS.The pathophysiology, diagnosis and current management of acute compartment syndrome.Open Orthopaed J. 2014;8:185–93. doi: 10.2174/1874325001408010185National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Peripheral neuropathy.Wigley FM, Flavahan NA.Raynaud’s phenomenon.N Engl J Med. 2016;375(6):556-565. doi:10.1056/NEJMra1507638
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Osteoarthritis: diagnosis, treatment, and steps to take.Kaeley GS. Eder L. Aydin SZ, Gutierrez M, Bakewell C.Dactylitis: a hallmark of psoriatic arthritis.Sem Arthritis Rheumatism. 2018 Oct;48(2):263-273. doi:10.1016/j.semarthrit.2018.02.002National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.Autoimmune diseases.American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Carpal tunnel syndrome.Wakasugi T, Saito K.Synovial cyst of the little finger originating from a degenerative wrist joint.J Hand Surg Glob Online.2021 Sep;3(5):311–314. doi:10.1016/j.jhsg.2021.06.001American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Ganglion cyst of the wrist and hand.Goel R, Abzug JM.De Quervain’s tenosynovitis: a review of the rehabilitative options.Hand (N Y).2015;10(1):1-5. doi:10.1007/s11552-014-9649-3American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Dupuytren’s disease.Hainer BL, Matheson E, Wilkes RT.Diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of gout.Am Fam Physician.2014;90(12):831-6Tong SY, Davis JS, Eichenberger E, Holland TL, Fowler VG Jr.Staphylococcus aureus infections: epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, and management.Clin Microbiol Rev. 2015 Jul;28(3):603-61. doi:10.1128/CMR.00134-14Foret T, Coutier F, Razafindramaro N, Golden C, Faure C.Atypical paronychia: don’t forget herpesvirus.Dermatol Online J.2021 Jan 15;27(1):13030/qt88z306fm.Chan E, Robertson BF, Johnson SM.Kanavel signs of flexor sheath infection: a cautionary tale.Br J Gen Pract. 2019;69(683):315-316. doi:10.3399/bjgp19X704081Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About cellulitis.Haase SC, Chung KC.Current concepts in treatment of fracture-dislocations of the proximal interphalangeal joint.Plast Reconstr Surg. 2014;134(6):1246-57. doi:10.1097/PRS.0000000000000854American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Sprains, strains and other soft-tissue injuries.University of Rochester Medical Center.Bursitis.Donaldson J, Haddad B, Khan WS.The pathophysiology, diagnosis and current management of acute compartment syndrome.Open Orthopaed J. 2014;8:185–93. doi: 10.2174/1874325001408010185National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Peripheral neuropathy.Wigley FM, Flavahan NA.Raynaud’s phenomenon.N Engl J Med. 2016;375(6):556-565. doi:10.1056/NEJMra1507638
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Osteoarthritis: diagnosis, treatment, and steps to take.
Kaeley GS. Eder L. Aydin SZ, Gutierrez M, Bakewell C.Dactylitis: a hallmark of psoriatic arthritis.Sem Arthritis Rheumatism. 2018 Oct;48(2):263-273. doi:10.1016/j.semarthrit.2018.02.002
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.Autoimmune diseases.
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Carpal tunnel syndrome.
Wakasugi T, Saito K.Synovial cyst of the little finger originating from a degenerative wrist joint.J Hand Surg Glob Online.2021 Sep;3(5):311–314. doi:10.1016/j.jhsg.2021.06.001
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Ganglion cyst of the wrist and hand.
Goel R, Abzug JM.De Quervain’s tenosynovitis: a review of the rehabilitative options.Hand (N Y).2015;10(1):1-5. doi:10.1007/s11552-014-9649-3
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Dupuytren’s disease.
Hainer BL, Matheson E, Wilkes RT.Diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of gout.Am Fam Physician.2014;90(12):831-6
Tong SY, Davis JS, Eichenberger E, Holland TL, Fowler VG Jr.Staphylococcus aureus infections: epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, and management.Clin Microbiol Rev. 2015 Jul;28(3):603-61. doi:10.1128/CMR.00134-14
Foret T, Coutier F, Razafindramaro N, Golden C, Faure C.Atypical paronychia: don’t forget herpesvirus.Dermatol Online J.2021 Jan 15;27(1):13030/qt88z306fm.
Chan E, Robertson BF, Johnson SM.Kanavel signs of flexor sheath infection: a cautionary tale.Br J Gen Pract. 2019;69(683):315-316. doi:10.3399/bjgp19X704081
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About cellulitis.
Haase SC, Chung KC.Current concepts in treatment of fracture-dislocations of the proximal interphalangeal joint.Plast Reconstr Surg. 2014;134(6):1246-57. doi:10.1097/PRS.0000000000000854
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Sprains, strains and other soft-tissue injuries.
University of Rochester Medical Center.Bursitis.
Donaldson J, Haddad B, Khan WS.The pathophysiology, diagnosis and current management of acute compartment syndrome.Open Orthopaed J. 2014;8:185–93. doi: 10.2174/1874325001408010185
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Peripheral neuropathy.
Wigley FM, Flavahan NA.Raynaud’s phenomenon.N Engl J Med. 2016;375(6):556-565. doi:10.1056/NEJMra1507638
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