Inflammation of the Fingers
Last updated 29/03/2022 by The pain clinics - Interdisciplinary Health
Inflammation of the Fingers
Inflammation of the finger joints is often associated with rheumatism and gout. But can also occur due to overload or damage.
- What is Inflammation of the Finger Joints?
First, it is important to define what an arthritis is. Medically, it is called an arthritis. This involves a reaction from the immune system and your body. In the event of a damage mechanism, extra blood supply and nutrients will be sent to the area to defend it. Thus, due to increased fluid in the joint and inflammation, the area will swell. The joint may become pressure sore, reddish and painful. Remember that it is important to distinguish between an inflammation and an infection.
Article: Inflammation of the Finger Joints
Last updated: 29.03.2022
- At our interdisciplinary departments at Vondtklinikkene in Oslo (Lambert seats) and Viken (Eidsvoll Sound og Raw wood) Our clinicians have a uniquely high professional competence in assessment, treatment and rehabilitation training for ailments in muscles, tendons and joints. Click on the links or here to read more about our departments.
Causes of inflammation of the finger joints
We can quickly divide the causes of finger inflammation into the following three main categories:
1. Injuries (Clamping)
2. Infection
Rheumatism and autoimmune responses
Inflammatory reactions are a natural defense mechanism
As mentioned above, inflammation of the finger joints can be caused by several different causes. But remember that inflammatory reactions are a natural way for the body to defend itself. An inflammation (mild inflammatory response) is a normal natural response when soft tissue, muscle, joint tissue or tendons become irritated or damaged. It is when this inflammatory process becomes too great that greater inflammation can occur.
Injuries (Clamping of the finger)
Let's say you squeezed your finger in the door. The pinching has led to a soft tissue injury and the body will react immediately. Increased amounts of blood plasma and fluid are sent to the injured finger, which results in increased fluid content (swelling), pain, heat development and reddish skin. Often the swelling will be most evident in the finger joint closest to the pinched area. As the injury heals, the swelling will gradually decrease.
2. Infection
Swollen and inflamed finger joints can be caused by septic arthritis. This type of arthritis can affect any joint in the body - including the finger joints - and will also cause fever, chills and pain in the body. The infection is usually caused by yellow staphylococci. A bakery that is usually harmless, but that can infect untreated wounds and cuts in the skin. Therefore, remember the importance of always cleaning a wound, at least with soap and water, if you have an open wound. This is especially important for the elderly and people with reduced immune systems.
With untreated septic arthritis, the inflammatory reaction will be greater and greater - and can eventually lead to damage to the joint. Aspiration testing of the synovial fluid will show high levels of leukocytes. These are white blood cells that fight infections. The person may also have a rash on CRP and a high level of white blood cells during blood test.
Rheumatism
- Rheumatic arthritis
- Psoriatic arthritis
- Gout
- Lupus
There are several types of rheumatic diagnoses that can cause inflammation of the finger joints. However, they stand out in different ways in relation to which joints are affected - and in what way.
Rheumatic arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis of the hand - Photo Wikimedia
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune diagnosis in which the body's own immune system attacks its own joints. The diagnosis can lead to joint pain, joint stiffness, swelling and degenerative damage to the joints. Characteristically, the rheumatic diagnosis will strike symmetrically - that is, it occurs equally on both sides. If the left hand is affected, the right hand will also be affected. The fingers and hands are, unfortunately, among the most vulnerable areas for people with this type of rheumatism.
The diagnosis is made using blood tests that show positive results for rheumatic factor and antibodies. X-rays can help to reveal the extent of joint impact and joint damage. Rheumatoid arthritis, like lupus, can lead to significant deformities in the hands and fingers over time.
Psoriatic arthritis
Many people have heard of the skin disease psoriasis. Fewer are aware that around 30% of people with this diagnosis also develop the rheumatic diagnosis of psoriatic arthritis. It is, like rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune diagnosis that can affect the joints and cause joint pain.
In psoriatic arthritis, it is the outer finger joints that are affected (often called DIP joints after the English abbreviation). This is the joint closest to the fingertips, and this can result in what is called dactylitis, which is a swelling that causes the entire finger (or toe) to swell. The swelling gives a "sausage-like" appearance - and the term "sausage fingers" often refers to this type of swelling.
Psoriatic arthritis can cause a long list of symptoms
Psoriatic arthritis can, in addition to inflammation and swelling in the fingers, cause a number of other symptoms - such as:
- 'Search' in the nails and nail damage
- Pain in tendons and ligaments
- Chronic fatigue
- Eye Inflammation (Iris Inflammation)
- Digestive problems (including constipation and diarrhea)
- Organ damage
Who gets inflammation of the finger joints?
Considering that inflammation in the finger joints can also occur due to wounds and pinching injuries, then in fact everyone can be affected by finger joint inflammation. However, it is also a possible sign of rheumatic disease, especially if it occurs symmetrically on both sides. Contact your GP for examination and assessment if you notice that you have symptoms of rheumatism. Hen will be able to help you assess the cause of the inflammation, as well as see if you have a rash for rheumatic diagnoses on the blood test.
Diagnosis of inflammation of the finger joints
Inflammation of the finger joints often gives characteristic symptoms such as swelling, redness and pressure soreness. But it is especially the underlying factors one is looking for when diagnosing. Blood tests can test for several types of rheumatism. At the same time, an X-ray examination of the finger joints can examine for wear changes or damage reactions on the joints.
Treatment and Self-treatment for Inflammation of the Finger Joints
We divide this part of the article into two categories - treatment and self-treatment. Here we are first talking about forms of treatment that can be sought through experts in musculoskeletal disorders. Then we take a closer look at which self-measures you should try if you have rheumatoid arthritis.
Treatment of inflammation of the finger joints
Anti-inflammatory drugs (anti-inflammatory drugs)
Physiotherapy
Kinesio taping and sports taping
Laser Therapy
Contact your GP for advice on anti-inflammatory drugs. Many will recognize themselves in the list until they see low-dose laser therapy. The form of treatment is safe and has a well-documented effect against arthritis to reduce swelling and pain in the hands and fingers. Studies have, among other things, been able to show a clear decrease in ring finger size, less swelling and pain relief (1). A common treatment plan with laser therapy is 5-7 consultations. One could also see a sustained improvement for up to 8 weeks after the last treatment. Laser therapy is performed by certain modern chiropractors and physiotherapists. We offer laser therapy at all our departments The pain clinics.
Self-measures against inflammation of the finger joints
Compression gloves
Daily hand exercises
If you suffer from regular rheumatic inflammation of the fingers, you should try to use special compression gloves (link opens in new window) daily. These can relieve pain and contribute to improved hand function. Many also report the effect of sleeping with them on. We give this advice to all our patients who are bothered by this type of symptomatology. In addition to this, it has been documented that daily hand exercises can help maintain grip strength and everyday function (2). We show you an example of a training program with video just below here.
Exercises and Exercise for Inflammation of the Finger Joints
Remember to adjust the daily exercises, both in terms of the number of repetitions and sets, according to the inflammation. Otherwise, remember that doing some exercises every day is much better than nothing. In the video below, chiropractor Alexander Andorff shows by Lambertseter Chiropractor Center and Physiotherapy develop a hand training program.
VIDEO: 7 Exercises for Osteoarthritis of the Hands and Fingers
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Contact us: Our clinics
We offer modern assessment, treatment and training for muscle and joint ailments.
Feel free to contact us via one of our specialized clinics (the clinic overview opens in a new window) or on vår Facebook-side (Vondtklinikkene - Health and Exercise) if you have any questions. For appointments, we have XNUMX-hour online booking at the various clinics so that you can find the consultation time that suits you best. You can also call us within the clinic's opening hours. We have interdisciplinary departments in Oslo (included Lambert seats) and Viken (Raw wood og Eidsvoll). Our skilled therapists look forward to hearing from you.
"- Do not let pain in everyday life take away from you the joy of movement!"
Sources and Research:
1. Baltzer et al, 2016. Positive effects of low level laser therapy (LLLT) on Bouchard's and Heberden's osteoarthritis. Lasers Surg Med. 2016 Jul; 48 (5): 498-504.
2. Williamson et al, 2017. Hand exercises for patients with rheumatoid arthritis: an extended follow-up of the SARAH randomized controlled trial. BMJ Open. 2017 Apr 12; 7 (4): e013121.
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