Finger joint pain is an inflammation of the joints in the finger bones. These conditions are often accompanied by swelling, redness, tenderness, and warmth in that particular area. Finger joint pain can make it difficult to perform small tasks during the day, from turning doorknobs to typing on your computer at work.
Possible causes of finger joint pain
There are many potential causes of finger joint pain. Here are 5 common causes:
- Arthritis: One of the most common causes of finger joint pain is arthritis. Arthritis is mainly of two type, Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) and Osteoarthritis (OA). Both are treatable but require medical attention.
- Injury: Fingers are prone to injury and can eventually cause joint pain. Some common causes include sprains, fractures, and strains. In case of sprains and strains, you should give your finger plenty of rest and take ORC medication. But, for fractures, you need to see a doctor.
- Dislocated joints: Incorrect positioning of the finger bones can lead to dislocation. This can cause severe joint pain and requires the help of a healthcare professional.
- Tenosynovitis and tendinitis: When the tendon sheath becomes inflamed, it leads to a medical condition called tenosynovitis. However, tendinitis is an inflammation of the tendon. Both conditions can lead to pain and swelling in the finger joint.
- Carpal tunnel syndrome: Compressi caused by repetitive hand movements or injury. Treatment of all these different conditions depends on their sev on of the median nerve in the carpal tunnel can lead to finger joint pain. It can be erity. Carpal tunnel syndrome is treated with medication, splints, physical therapy, and exercises.
What can you do to relieve finger joint pain at home?
1. Hot and Cold Therapy
If you’re looking for temporary pain relief at home, alternating between cold and hot compresses can be effective. Cold numbs the joint area to reduce pain and inflammation. Heat promotes blood flow to the area and relaxes the affected tissues.
2. Medication
Talk to your doctor about taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to temporarily relieve joint pain. They’ll determine which NSAID would be best based on the cause of your pain and your medical history.
3. Menthol Cream
A combination of the medication option is using a menthol cream. It can temporarily relieve pain originating from your joint by numbing the nerves with a cooling sensation. It can be especially effective for pain caused by sprains and arthritis. Talk to your doctor about whether topical creams are right for you based on your other medications and potential allergic reactions.
4. Modify your daily activities
One of the best ways to get long-term relief from finger joint pain is to reduce stress on the joint during daily activities. Modify an activity to reduce stress on your finger joints. Try using a more comfortable writing instrument or adjusting the way you hold kitchen utensils. A physical therapist can help make recommendations that may help.
5. Physical therapy
If you are experiencing persistent or worsening finger joint pain, physical therapy is one of the most effective treatments. A physical therapist can design a personalized treatment plan for you that will help reduce pain while improving the overall quality and function of your fingers, hand, and wrist. Common physical therapy treatments for finger joint pain include targeted exercises, manual therapy, and patient education.
