Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTypesSymptomsCausesTreatment
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Types
Symptoms
Causes
Treatment
Earlyarthritisin the fingers can cause dull, achy pain, stiffness, swelling, and weakness in the joints. These symptoms tend to develop slowly and worsen over time. You may notice that the symptoms are worse in the morning.
This article covers the signs and symptoms of early arthritis in the fingers. It explains what causes arthritis in the fingers as well as what you can do to help keep your fingers moving.
Early Rheumatoid Arthritis
Types of Finger Arthritis
There are three types of arthritis that commonly affect the fingers:
Rarely, other types of arthritis can also cause problems in the fingers.
Verywell / Cindy Chung
Finger Arthritis Symptoms
Symptoms of finger arthritis include:
Osteoarthritis often also causes lumps or nodules around the knuckles of the fingers. These lumps are calledHeberden’s nodeswhen they form around the knuckle closest to the fingertip, orBouchard’s nodeswhen they form around the middle knuckle.
These lumps are actuallybone spursaround the joints. They can make the knuckles enlarged, swollen, and stiff.People who have enlarged joints due to osteoarthritis often complain that their rings do not fit or can’t be removed.
Rheumatoid arthritis often causes similar symptoms. However, rheumatoid arthritis can actually cause deformities in the hands. Inflammation in the joints can cause finger joints to become crooked and bend away from the thumb.
Stan Rohrer / Getty Images
When our fingers can’t bend and move normally, our daily activities become difficult.
Can You Prevent Arthritis In Your Finger Joints?You may not be able to prevent arthritis, but there are things you can do to decrease your risk. For example, you can take steps to avoid injury to your joints and do regular hand exercises to help maintain flexibility. Avoiding smoking can also decrease your risk.
Can You Prevent Arthritis In Your Finger Joints?
You may not be able to prevent arthritis, but there are things you can do to decrease your risk. For example, you can take steps to avoid injury to your joints and do regular hand exercises to help maintain flexibility. Avoiding smoking can also decrease your risk.
Treatment of finger arthritis depends on the underlying cause. The treatment focuses on managing the symptoms and maintaining and improving function.
Treatment options include:
Surgery
If non-surgical treatments don’t relieve your symptoms, surgery may be necessary. Several different procedures can be done, depending on the joint that’s involved and the effects of your arthritis. Your healthcare provider may recommend removing bone spurs, or even fusing or replacing the joint.
Joint Fusion
The most common surgery that’s done for treatment of finger arthritis is a fingerjoint fusion. This procedure is done to hold the knuckle in a fixed position to prevent movement of the joint.The joint becomes stiff forever, which limits your range of motion, and the pain is usually alleviated. During this procedure, your healthcare provider can also straighten deformities and remove bone spurs.
Joint Replacement
Finger joint replacementcan be a very effective procedure for some people. An artificial finger joint can maintain mobility of the joint without the pain of arthritis. Deformities and bone spurs can also be treated during this surgical procedure.
In general, finger joint replacement is only considered for more sedentary or elderly individuals, because the artificial joints are not designed for strenuous activity or heavy labor. The implants, which may be made of metal, plastic, ceramic, or a combination of materials, can wear out over time and need to be protected from too much activity.
Summary
Finger arthritis can be painful and may limit your daily activities. If you are experiencing joint pain, stiffness, or swelling in your hands, talk to your healthcare provider about your concerns. They can help determine whether arthritis is to blame and help you manage your symptoms so they don’t get worse.
15 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.Harvard Health Publishing.Identifying arthritis in your fingers and thumbs.Haugen IK.Hand osteoarthritis: current knowledge and new ideas.Scand J Rheumatol. 2016;45(sup128):58-63. doi:10.1080/03009742.2016.1203021Lin YJ, Anzaghe M, Schülke S.Update on the pathomechanism, diagnosis, and treatment options for rheumatoid arthritis.Cells. 2020;9(4):880. doi:10.3390/cells9040880Clebak KT, Morrison A, Croad JR.Gout: Rapid evidence review.Am Fam Physician. 2020;102(9):533-538.Arthritis Foundation.Arthritis and diseases that affect the hand and wrist.Araki K, Oiwa H.Acute arthritis of the fingers in an elderly woman.Intern Med.2017;56(23):3267-3268. doi:10.2169/internalmedicine.9284-17Hurnakova J, Filippucci E, Cipolletta E, et al.Prevalence and distribution of cartilage damage at the metacarpal head level in rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis: an ultrasound study.Rheumatology (Oxford).2019;58(7):1206-1213. doi:10.1093/rheumatology/key443Arthritis Foundation.How to reduce your risk of arthritis.Van laar M, Pergolizzi JV, Mellinghoff HU, et al.Pain treatment in arthritis-related pain: beyond NSAIDs.Open Rheumatol J.2012;6:320-30. doi:10.2174/1874312901206010320Jerosch J.Effects of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate on cartilage metabolism in OA: Outlook on other nutrient partners especially omega-3 fatty acids.Int J Rheumatol.2011;2011:969012. doi:10.1155/2011/969012Spies CK, Langer M, Hahn P, Müller LP, Unglaub F.The treatment of primary arthritis of the finger and thumb joint.Dtsch Arztebl Int.2018;115(16):269-275. doi:10.3238/arztebl.2018.0269Kjeken I, Eide RE, Klokkeide Å, et al.Does occupational therapy reduce the need for surgery in carpometacarpal osteoarthritis? Protocol for a randomized controlled trial.BMC Musculoskelet Disord.2016;17(1):473. doi:10.1186/s12891-016-1321-3Arthritis Foundation.Heat therapy helps relax stiff joints.Porter BJ, Brittain A.Splinting and hand exercise for three common hand deformities in rheumatoid arthritis: a clinical perspective.Curr Opin Rheumatol.2012;24(2):215-21. doi:10.1097/BOR.0b013e3283503361Murray PM, Linscheid RL, Cooney WP, Baker V, Heckman MG.Long-term outcomes of proximal interphalangeal joint surface replacement arthroplasty.J Bone Joint Surg Am.2012;94(12):1120-8. doi:10.2106/JBJS.J.01375
15 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.Harvard Health Publishing.Identifying arthritis in your fingers and thumbs.Haugen IK.Hand osteoarthritis: current knowledge and new ideas.Scand J Rheumatol. 2016;45(sup128):58-63. doi:10.1080/03009742.2016.1203021Lin YJ, Anzaghe M, Schülke S.Update on the pathomechanism, diagnosis, and treatment options for rheumatoid arthritis.Cells. 2020;9(4):880. doi:10.3390/cells9040880Clebak KT, Morrison A, Croad JR.Gout: Rapid evidence review.Am Fam Physician. 2020;102(9):533-538.Arthritis Foundation.Arthritis and diseases that affect the hand and wrist.Araki K, Oiwa H.Acute arthritis of the fingers in an elderly woman.Intern Med.2017;56(23):3267-3268. doi:10.2169/internalmedicine.9284-17Hurnakova J, Filippucci E, Cipolletta E, et al.Prevalence and distribution of cartilage damage at the metacarpal head level in rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis: an ultrasound study.Rheumatology (Oxford).2019;58(7):1206-1213. doi:10.1093/rheumatology/key443Arthritis Foundation.How to reduce your risk of arthritis.Van laar M, Pergolizzi JV, Mellinghoff HU, et al.Pain treatment in arthritis-related pain: beyond NSAIDs.Open Rheumatol J.2012;6:320-30. doi:10.2174/1874312901206010320Jerosch J.Effects of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate on cartilage metabolism in OA: Outlook on other nutrient partners especially omega-3 fatty acids.Int J Rheumatol.2011;2011:969012. doi:10.1155/2011/969012Spies CK, Langer M, Hahn P, Müller LP, Unglaub F.The treatment of primary arthritis of the finger and thumb joint.Dtsch Arztebl Int.2018;115(16):269-275. doi:10.3238/arztebl.2018.0269Kjeken I, Eide RE, Klokkeide Å, et al.Does occupational therapy reduce the need for surgery in carpometacarpal osteoarthritis? Protocol for a randomized controlled trial.BMC Musculoskelet Disord.2016;17(1):473. doi:10.1186/s12891-016-1321-3Arthritis Foundation.Heat therapy helps relax stiff joints.Porter BJ, Brittain A.Splinting and hand exercise for three common hand deformities in rheumatoid arthritis: a clinical perspective.Curr Opin Rheumatol.2012;24(2):215-21. doi:10.1097/BOR.0b013e3283503361Murray PM, Linscheid RL, Cooney WP, Baker V, Heckman MG.Long-term outcomes of proximal interphalangeal joint surface replacement arthroplasty.J Bone Joint Surg Am.2012;94(12):1120-8. doi:10.2106/JBJS.J.01375
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.
Harvard Health Publishing.Identifying arthritis in your fingers and thumbs.Haugen IK.Hand osteoarthritis: current knowledge and new ideas.Scand J Rheumatol. 2016;45(sup128):58-63. doi:10.1080/03009742.2016.1203021Lin YJ, Anzaghe M, Schülke S.Update on the pathomechanism, diagnosis, and treatment options for rheumatoid arthritis.Cells. 2020;9(4):880. doi:10.3390/cells9040880Clebak KT, Morrison A, Croad JR.Gout: Rapid evidence review.Am Fam Physician. 2020;102(9):533-538.Arthritis Foundation.Arthritis and diseases that affect the hand and wrist.Araki K, Oiwa H.Acute arthritis of the fingers in an elderly woman.Intern Med.2017;56(23):3267-3268. doi:10.2169/internalmedicine.9284-17Hurnakova J, Filippucci E, Cipolletta E, et al.Prevalence and distribution of cartilage damage at the metacarpal head level in rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis: an ultrasound study.Rheumatology (Oxford).2019;58(7):1206-1213. doi:10.1093/rheumatology/key443Arthritis Foundation.How to reduce your risk of arthritis.Van laar M, Pergolizzi JV, Mellinghoff HU, et al.Pain treatment in arthritis-related pain: beyond NSAIDs.Open Rheumatol J.2012;6:320-30. doi:10.2174/1874312901206010320Jerosch J.Effects of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate on cartilage metabolism in OA: Outlook on other nutrient partners especially omega-3 fatty acids.Int J Rheumatol.2011;2011:969012. doi:10.1155/2011/969012Spies CK, Langer M, Hahn P, Müller LP, Unglaub F.The treatment of primary arthritis of the finger and thumb joint.Dtsch Arztebl Int.2018;115(16):269-275. doi:10.3238/arztebl.2018.0269Kjeken I, Eide RE, Klokkeide Å, et al.Does occupational therapy reduce the need for surgery in carpometacarpal osteoarthritis? Protocol for a randomized controlled trial.BMC Musculoskelet Disord.2016;17(1):473. doi:10.1186/s12891-016-1321-3Arthritis Foundation.Heat therapy helps relax stiff joints.Porter BJ, Brittain A.Splinting and hand exercise for three common hand deformities in rheumatoid arthritis: a clinical perspective.Curr Opin Rheumatol.2012;24(2):215-21. doi:10.1097/BOR.0b013e3283503361Murray PM, Linscheid RL, Cooney WP, Baker V, Heckman MG.Long-term outcomes of proximal interphalangeal joint surface replacement arthroplasty.J Bone Joint Surg Am.2012;94(12):1120-8. doi:10.2106/JBJS.J.01375
Harvard Health Publishing.Identifying arthritis in your fingers and thumbs.
Haugen IK.Hand osteoarthritis: current knowledge and new ideas.Scand J Rheumatol. 2016;45(sup128):58-63. doi:10.1080/03009742.2016.1203021
Lin YJ, Anzaghe M, Schülke S.Update on the pathomechanism, diagnosis, and treatment options for rheumatoid arthritis.Cells. 2020;9(4):880. doi:10.3390/cells9040880
Clebak KT, Morrison A, Croad JR.Gout: Rapid evidence review.Am Fam Physician. 2020;102(9):533-538.
Arthritis Foundation.Arthritis and diseases that affect the hand and wrist.
Araki K, Oiwa H.Acute arthritis of the fingers in an elderly woman.Intern Med.2017;56(23):3267-3268. doi:10.2169/internalmedicine.9284-17
Hurnakova J, Filippucci E, Cipolletta E, et al.Prevalence and distribution of cartilage damage at the metacarpal head level in rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis: an ultrasound study.Rheumatology (Oxford).2019;58(7):1206-1213. doi:10.1093/rheumatology/key443
Arthritis Foundation.How to reduce your risk of arthritis.
Van laar M, Pergolizzi JV, Mellinghoff HU, et al.Pain treatment in arthritis-related pain: beyond NSAIDs.Open Rheumatol J.2012;6:320-30. doi:10.2174/1874312901206010320
Jerosch J.Effects of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate on cartilage metabolism in OA: Outlook on other nutrient partners especially omega-3 fatty acids.Int J Rheumatol.2011;2011:969012. doi:10.1155/2011/969012
Spies CK, Langer M, Hahn P, Müller LP, Unglaub F.The treatment of primary arthritis of the finger and thumb joint.Dtsch Arztebl Int.2018;115(16):269-275. doi:10.3238/arztebl.2018.0269
Kjeken I, Eide RE, Klokkeide Å, et al.Does occupational therapy reduce the need for surgery in carpometacarpal osteoarthritis? Protocol for a randomized controlled trial.BMC Musculoskelet Disord.2016;17(1):473. doi:10.1186/s12891-016-1321-3
Arthritis Foundation.Heat therapy helps relax stiff joints.
Porter BJ, Brittain A.Splinting and hand exercise for three common hand deformities in rheumatoid arthritis: a clinical perspective.Curr Opin Rheumatol.2012;24(2):215-21. doi:10.1097/BOR.0b013e3283503361
Murray PM, Linscheid RL, Cooney WP, Baker V, Heckman MG.Long-term outcomes of proximal interphalangeal joint surface replacement arthroplasty.J Bone Joint Surg Am.2012;94(12):1120-8. doi:10.2106/JBJS.J.01375
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