Swollen finger joints are frequently the result of inflammation due to an infection, injury, or disease.
Treatment for swollen finger joints will depend on the cause.
Pain from chronic conditions may be managed with over-the-counter medications and braces.
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However, in more severe cases of some conditions, prescription medications or even surgery might be necessary.
Most are inflammatory but some are not.
This, in turn, causes swelling, redness, heat, and pain.
Infection
An infection can also cause swollenfinger joints.
Along with joint swelling, septic arthritis can cause a high fever, chills, and body aches.
If left untreated, severe joint damage can occur.
It is an aging-related condition in which long-term stress on a joint causes the deterioration ofcartilage.
OA is non-inflammatory but can become inflammatory as cartilage is lost and bone starts to rub against bone.
The joints of the hand are commonly affected, often non-symmetrically but sometimes symmetrically.
The joints of the hands and fingers are commonly affected.
The distalinterphalangealjoints of the fingersthe joints closest to your fingertipsare commonly affected by PsA.
PsA is also characterized bydactylitisin which your fingers or toes swell and become sausage-like.
The uric acid crystallizes, causing hardened clusters of uric acid crystals in a joint known astophi.
The big toe is most commonly affected, but other toes or fingers can be affected as well.
Gout can cause excruciating joint pain along with swelling and stiffness.
Risk factors for gout include:
What Is Uric Acid?
Uric acid is created when the body breaks down substances known as purines.
A high blood uric acid level is calledhyperuricemia.
The skin, joints, and internal organs can all be affected.
It may also have a genetic cause.
AS can affect other joints, including the shoulders, hips, and fingers.
Risk factors for AS include:
Heat Edema
High temperatures can also cause swelling in the extremities.
Heat edema is not usually a serious condition.
They will examine your finger to assess the level of injury.
Autoimmune diseases can be diagnosed with blood tests, imaging studies, and the exclusion of other possible causes.
Blood tests likerheumatoid factorandanti-cyclic citrullinated peptide(anti-CCP)can help differentiate RA, PsA, or lupus.
X-rays may reveal characteristic changes, including joint erosion, narrowing, or deformity.
X-raysare also useful in diagnosing osteoarthritis, while joint aspiration can revealuric acidcrystals in people with gout.
X-rays will show joint swelling without damage to the bone.
Autoimmune diseases can be diagnosed with blood tests, imaging studies, and the exclusion of other possible causes.
X-rays may reveal characteristic changes, including joint erosion, narrowing, or deformity.
Understanding what’s causing swollen finger joints is the basis for getting the right treatment.
Therapy to lower urates is the most common treatment used to decrease uric acid levels in patients with gout.
Because of this, symptoms tend to be easier to correct with bracing or splinting of the fingers.
Lupus is also commonly managed with anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive medications to decrease inflammation throughout the body.
Massaging the swollen fingers or elevating them may also alleviate swelling.
If the pain or swelling does not improve after a few days, talk to your healthcare provider.
The pain and swelling that occur are usually due to the inflammation resulting from these conditions.
Systemic conditions need to be treated by a rheumatologist to alleviate symptoms and prevent or slow disease progression.
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