Elevate The Affected Fingers
Poor circulation is one of the key reasons behind swelling in any part of the body, including the fingers.
To reduce swelling due to poor circulation, elevate your hands and fingers above your chest level. This will help improve blood circulation and provide relief from discomforts like swelling, inflammation and pain.
Keep the swollen fingers elevated above your chest level. You can sit on a sofa, put a few pillows on its arm rest and rest your hand on it.
To keep the fingers elevated while sleeping, put a few pillows under your hands.
Keep your hands and fingers elevated for 30 minutes a few times a day.
What Is Joint Inflammation
When you think of arthritis, youâre probably thinking of inflammation. Inflammation is a process in which your bodys white blood cells and immune proteins help protect you from infection and things like bacteria and viruses.
In some diseases, your immune system triggers an inflammatory response when there isnât anything to fight off. With these diseases, called autoimmune diseases, your bodys immune system damages its own tissues. Your body responds as if normal tissues need to be fought off.
Recommended Reading: What To Do For Arthritis Pain In Thumb
Tips To Reduce Swelling In Legs
Water retention is a common problem associated with pregnancy, diabetes, menstruation, periods of prolonged heat, and inactivity due to injury or illness. Water retention often manifests in the legs. Discomfort and occasional pain from swollen feet or legs most often arises after period of prolonged sitting or bed-rest.
Dont Miss: Can Arthritis Be Seen On Xray
Read Also: Can You Get Arthritis In Your Feet
What Causes Swollen Fingers
Swollen fingers may result from a variety of causes, including underlying medical conditions, lifestyle factors, and medication side effects.
Arthritis, or inflammation of the joints, is the most common cause of swollen fingers and is especially prevalent in adults who are 65 years old and older. Several types of arthritis can cause swollen fingers. is a form of arthritis that refers to the breakdown of bone due to normal wear and tear, or everyday use of the hand joints. As cartilage wears down, bony growths can form around the joints in an effort to compensate for the deterioration. This leads to swelling around the affected joints. Other types of arthritis, such as and , can also cause swollen fingers. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition that generally causes swelling of the joints in both hands. In contrast, psoriatic arthritis is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that can cause dactylitis, a sausage-like swelling of one or more fingers.
Injury
Sudden impact on one or more of the fingers, such as when fingers get caught in a closing door, can trigger inflammation, or the s natural response to injury. The goal of inflammation is to remove the damaged tissue and allow the to heal. If the injury is severe and presents with increased pain and limited range of motion of the fingers, a break or fracture may have occurred, and a clinician should be consulted.
Infection
Compromised circulation
Autoimmune Disease
Tumor
Exercise
High-Salt Diet
Medications
How To Live Pain
Arthritis of the hands, wrist and fingers can be unbearable, but a doctor says you dont have to live in agony.
Aches and pains in your hands or wrists, or sore, swollen fingers could signal a condition known as arthritis.
But you dont have to live with the pain, says Kevin Chung, M.D., Chief of Hand Surgery and Director of the Comprehensive Hand Center at University of Michigan Health.
There are three common types of arthritis of the hands, wrist and fingers.
-
Osteoarthritis, also known as degenerative joint disease, is a condition in which the smooth, protective cartilage on the ends of joint bones begins to break down. Eventually, the bones become exposed and start to rub together. Osteoarthritis typically happens as a person ages. According to the Arthritis Foundation, approximately half of all women and one-quarter of all men will experience pain related to osteoarthritis by the time they reach the age of 85.
-
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune and inflammatory condition in which the immune system attacks the tissue lining around a joint that produces lubrication to help the joint move smoothly. This causes the joint to become tender and painful to move. Individuals diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis my be genetically predisposed to the condition, which researchers believe is activated by an environmental trigger such as a virus or bacteria or by physical or emotional stress.
-
Post-traumatic arthritis is a type of osteoarthritis caused by joint injury or trauma.
Recommended Reading: What’s Difference Between Rheumatoid Arthritis Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis Of The Hip
Osteoarthritis in your hips often causes difficulty moving your hip joints. For example, you may find it difficult to put your shoes and socks on or to get in and out of a car.
You’ll also usually have pain in the groin or outside the hip. This is often worse when you move the hip joints, although it can also affect you when you’re resting or sleeping.
Treatment For Hand Arthritis In The Greater Chesapeake
If you have a hand injury or chronic condition such as arthritis, turn to the experts at Greater Chesapeake Hand to Shoulder. Our team of hand experts have a profound understanding of the complex networks of blood vessels, nerves, muscles, ligaments, tendons, and bones that make up the hand and fingers.
We understand how important pain-free hand and finger motion and function is to daily activities, including work, self-care, sports, and leisure. Our orthopedic and plastic surgeons specialize in hand surgery, and we can offer state-of-the-art nonsurgical and surgical care to treat a full range of hand and finger injuries and conditions.
Call us today to schedule a consultation with our at or request an appointment online now for any of our Greater Chesapeake locations. We look forward to helping you feel less pain in your hands and regain hand motion and function, so you can get back to doing what you love.
Arthritis of the fingers can be quite uncomfortable, causing symptoms such as joint pain, swelling, and stiffness. These symptoms make hand motions like grasping and pinching difficult, which restricts a personâs ability to perform everyday tasks. Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are the two types of arthritis that most commonly affect the finger joints. Depending on which type of arthritis affects your finger joints, you may experience additional symptoms.
Also Check: Does Psoriatic Arthritis Get Worse With Age
Improve Hand Dexterity With These Exercises
Dr. Hite has a good one: Place a few coins, small stones, or marbles on top of a table, then pick them up one at a time and place them in your palm. After that, place them back on the table one at a time. This exercise requires you to bend some fingers and straighten some fingers, while some fingers are holding and some are manipulating, she explains. Text a lot? Try this dexterity exercise: Move your thumbs in circles and figure eights. You need a lot of dexterity in your thumbs if you are going to text message, she says.
What Are The Best Treatments For Arthritis In The Hands
November 19, 2019 By Alex Hirsch
Arthritis can be disabling, especially when it is in the hands and fingers. It can prevent you from carrying out normal day-to-day activities such as work duties and preparing meals.
Arthritis is a common disease that causes pain and stiffness within joints, including the hand. Appropriate treatment will depend on the severity of the symptoms, but they can include medications, therapy, lifestyle adjustments, and surgery.
Don’t Miss: Can Rheumatoid Arthritis Cause Chest Pain
Top Tips For Managing Arthritis In Your Hands
by AdminNZ | Apr 3, 2020 | News
The internet is overloaded with advice and exercise tips that are good for your hands, and information overload can be overwhelming. Therefore, we have put together a helpful list of tips to manage arthritis pain in your hands, exercises that will help and other useful information.
Arthritis in the hands presents with painful joints, swelling, difficulty with movement, and limited function, like being unable to grip properly. Clinical interventions aim to reduce pain, control swelling, improve range of motion and improve the function of the hand, like gripping.
Gail Donaldson
Physiotherapist, Wellhand
Early in March, Gail Donaldson, a physiotherapist from Wellhand, did a talk in Wellington and advised people with arthritis in their hands about how they can manage pain and do useful exercises. Much of the information in this article is from the presentation. The video link is at the end of this article.
Precautions
As with all exercise advice for people with arthritis always work within your comfort level and do not force any movements. No one can tell you how often or how long you should do any exercise.
Your arthritis pain and discomfort is unique to you, and you will need to find your balance. Remember, a key thing to help you find your balance is: too much exercise causes pain, too little exercise cause stiffness. Trial different exercises for different periods and find your balance.
Pain relief
Hand exercises
Finger extension
Summary
Causes Of Arthritis In The Hands
Arthritic conditions can cause pain, stiffness, swelling, and tenderness in the small joints of the hands and fingers.
Inflammatory arthritis conditions, like RA, psoriatic arthritis, gout, and ankylosing spondylitis cause inflammation. Symptoms of inflammation include redness, warmth, swelling, and pain. In general, OA is degenerative, rather than inflammatory.
Our fingers are important! We use them constantly, all day long: to brush our teeth, to send emails, to cook our meals. When arthritis affects the fingers, everyday tasks become difficult and painful. So what can we do when our finger joints begin to cause problems?
This article provides more information about arthritis in the fingers, what causes it, and what you can do to help keep your fingers moving.
Verywell / Cindy Chung
Also Check: What Causes Arthritis In Your Shoulder
Is It Arthritis In My Hand Or Tendonitis
Arthritis and tendonitis can mimic each other, so its important to understand the difference between the two. Tendonitis is inflammation of the tendons in your hand due to an injury or repetitive motion, and the pain can come and go suddenly or last for a few days.
Arthritis, however, is inflammation of the joint due to degenerative joint disease. There are many types of arthritis, but the most common forms are osteoarthritis , when the protective cartilage in the joint breaks down, and rheumatoid arthritis , when immune system attacks the joints. Early symptoms of arthritis include painful hand joints, burning sensation and decreased functionality of the hand and/or wrist.
Also Check: Is Protein Good For Arthritis
Avoid Tasks That Make The Pain Worse
Try to avoid tasks that are causing the pain or making it worse. This may be anything that has a repetitive nature, such as using a screwdriver, painting or lifting heavy objects. You might be able to change the way you do some tasks to take the strain off your hands and wrists. Some conditions affecting the hand and wrist wont get better until you stop doing certain tasks.
Don’t Miss: How To Keep Arthritis From Getting Worse
Prolonged Hand Use Sets You Up For Psa Symptoms
First, be aware of how youre using your hands. Look at your daily activities, suggests Stacy Hite, D.P.T., a physical therapist and certified hand therapist at University of Virginia Orthopedic Center Therapy Services in Charlottesville, VA. What are you doing thats harmful to your joints? Two big culprits: holding your phone and using your keyboard. Prolonged positions such as these stress and hurt your joints. Simple things can help. Set a reminder to take frequent keyboard breaks, switch your phone to your other hand or put it on the table. Move more, change positions, unload those joints, says Dr. Hite.
Soak And Exercise Hands In Warm Water
Many people with hand OA report that soaking their hands in warm water in the morning assists in decreasing the stiffness.
Begin by filling a clean sink or large basin with warm water.
If swelling is also noted, add approximately ¼ cup of Epsom salt to the water to assist in decreasing the swelling.
While soaking the hands, gently perform range-of-motion exercises, such as opening and closing the fingers and spreading the fingers apart and then back together.
If you notice hand stiffness during a time when soaking is not an option, you can perform the same range-of motion exercises under running water.
Don’t Miss: How Does Arthritis Affect The Body
Can Arthritis Cause Swollen Hands
Yes, arthritis can cause hand swelling in the fingers and the wrists. Arthritis often first causes swelling of the joints of the fingers. Which joint swells depends on the type of arthritis and the cause of the type of arthritis. Generally, hand swelling fluctuates during the day. While swelling may be present to some degree all day, swelling often changes throughout the day.
How To Get Rid Of Swollen Hands By Applying Ice Pack Therapy
The ice pack therapy of treatment is a simple way of the cure of swollen hands and swollen fingers.
How to use?
- Wrap a few ice cubes in a clean cloth
- Apply the ice pack to the swollen hands and fingers with gentle pressure
- Do this in every alternate hour for the alleviation of swelling and pain in the hands and fingers
Benefits of ice pack treatment
Applying an ice pack to the affected area reduces the swelling and pain. Ice pack helps in the alleviation of fluid retention, swelling, pain, and inflammation of the hands. The application of ice incredibly effective during an emergency and have healing effects on cases that are a chronic or long term.
Precaution
The ice pack if used for longer times may be harmful to your skin or may further irritate that area. So, be sure to wrap it around a towel or any cloth before applying it to the affected area. The interval at which you need to apply these are 20 minutes at a time, but you should stop if it irritates your skin.
Read Also: What Can I Take Over The Counter For Arthritis Pain
You May Like: Are Tomatoes Bad For Arthritis And Inflammation
Avoid Working Through The Pain
The most important thing to remember is to avoid working through the pain. Pain is a sign that you need to stop what you are doing, take a break from the task, and modify the task so you can perform it in a pain-free manner.
To find an excellent doctor who is right for you, please call our Physician Referral Service at 866.804.1007.
How To Get Rid Of Swollen Fingers
Swollen fingers can develop for a variety of reasons, including a medical condition such as arthritis, an injury such as a broken bone, or even a hot day. Its the bodys natural healing response to extra fluid and blood in the fingers and can cause you to feel uncomfortable and/or unable to completely move your fingers. While it can sometimes be painful, swollen fingers are common and can be treated right at home.
Try these methods for reducing swelling in your fingers:
- Keep your hand/arm elevated. If you keep your hand down, gravity is keeping the extra fluid in your hand. Putting your hand/arm up will help the fluid go back into your body and reduce the swelling. Do this for as long as you need.
- Apply ice to the affected area.
- Wear a splint or compressive wrap. Do not apply too tightly. This will help massage fluid back into the body.
- Take anti inflammatory medications such as Ibuprofen. This is especially helpful for those affected by arthritis.
Be sure to move your hand and fingers regularly to help pump fluid back into your body. If your swelling does not reduce after trying the methods above, contact a hand specialist as soon as possible. Your swelling may be a result of an infection. Prolonged swelling could potentially result in long term stiffness or even nerve damage, so dont delay treatment.
Don’t Miss: What Is Active Psoriatic Arthritis
Adaptive Devices And Rest
Osteoarthritis Of The Knee
If you have osteoarthritis in your knees, both your knees will usually be affected over time, unless it occurred as the result of an injury or another condition affecting only 1 knee.
Your knees may be most painful when you walk, particularly when walking up or down hills or stairs.
Sometimes, your knees may “give way” beneath you or make it difficult to straighten your legs. You may also hear a soft, grating sound when you move the affected joint.
Read Also: What Do You Take For Arthritis
Changes In Surrounding Joints
In patients with advanced thumb base arthritis, the neighboring joints may become more mobile than normal.
Thumb extension deformity. This patient has lost mobility at the base of the thumb due to arthritis. The next joint closer to the tip of the thumb has become more mobile than normal to make up for the arthritic joint. Normally, the thumb does not come to a right angle with the rest of the hand.
Can Moist Heat Or Ice Help Ra Pain
Both of these simple methods can ease RA pain and stiffness.
Use a warm, moist compress on your fingers and hands for 15 minutes before you exercise.
To reduce swelling, use ice packs. Put an ice pack on the painful joint for 10 to 15 minutes at a time.
You may want to switch between moist heat and ice packs. Experiment to find out what works best for you, and then make it part of your routine before and after exercise. Read more about heat and cold therapy for arthritis pain.
Also Check: Is Fish Good For Arthritis