Finger joint pain is a relatively common type of pain that often arises only when moving the finger, which can affect the middle finger joints, the joint closest to the hand or all at the same time.
This type of pain, although more common in the elderly, due to aging and natural wear and tear of the joints, can also appear in young people, mainly due to blows on the hands or feet that can happen when playing impact sports, such as basketball or football, for example. example.
If the pain arises from a blow, it can usually be relieved by applying ice to the area. However, if the pain takes more than 2 or 3 days to improve, you should go to the hospital to identify the type of injury and start the most appropriate treatment. In the case of the elderly, pain should always be assessed by a general practitioner or rheumatologist to understand if there is any joint disease that needs specific treatment.
1. Strokes
This is the main cause of pain in finger joints in young people and can be easily identified, as it arises after accidents in sports or traffic. For example, in football it is very common to have foot injuries that cause pain when you move your toes. In basketball, this type of injury is more frequent on the fingers.
Usually, this type of injury is accompanied by sudden joint pain and swelling, which decreases over time, but which can be aggravated by the movement of the fingers.
What to do: when the injury is not very serious, the pain can be relieved by resting the joint and applying ice for 10 to 15 minutes, 3 to 4 times a day. However, if the pain does not improve or worsens for 2 days, you should go to the hospital to assess the injury and identify whether there is another more appropriate treatment. See more about how to use the cold to treat these types of injuries.
2. Arthritis
Arthritis, on the other hand, is the most frequent cause of pain in the finger joints in elderly people, as this disease arises with the progressive wear and tear of the cartilages that cover the joints.
Generally, the first affected joints are those of the fingers, as they are widely used in various day-to-day activities, but the disease can also arise in the feet, especially in people who have had to use their feet repeatedly, as in running athletes or football players, for example.
What to do: Although the application of ice helps to relieve joint pain, it is important that if arthritis is suspected, consult a rheumatologist to identify if there is another form of treatment that can also help, such as physical therapy or the use of some anti-inflammatory drugs. -inflammatory. Check out some exercises that help to relieve arthritis discomfort.
3. Carpal tunnel syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome can be suspected when pain occurs in the joints of the fingers, especially when it appears in relatively young people who do not have a history of hand injuries and who do not use the joints very often.
This syndrome causes tingling pain in the fingers, which can also be accompanied by difficulty holding objects, lack of sensitivity or slight swelling of the fingers.
What to do: Many cases need to be treated with minor surgery to decompress the nerve that is being compressed in the wrist area. However, other strategies, such as wearing a wristband and doing stretching exercises with your hands, can also help relieve discomfort, delaying the need for surgery. See what are the best exercises for this syndrome.
4. Tenosynovitis
Tenosynovitis is characterized by the presence of inflammation in a tendon, generating symptoms such as pain and a feeling of weakness in the affected region. Thus, if tenosynovitis appears near the joint, it can cause pain that radiates to that location, making it difficult to move the fingers.
This type of injury is more common in people who make repetitive movements with their hands or feet and, depending on the cause, it can be cured or just be possible to relieve symptoms, improving the person's quality of life.
What to do: usually the diagnosis is made by the rheumatologist or orthopedist and, therefore, treatment is already indicated by the doctor according to the cause. However, some general guidelines that help relieve symptoms include resting the affected area and applying ice. In addition, massaging or taking medicines prescribed by your doctor can also help. Learn more about tenosynovitis and treatment options.
5. Drop
The appearance of gout in the joints happens when there is an exaggerated amount of uric acid circulating in the body, which ends up crystallizing and depositing in the places between the joints, causing swelling and pain, especially when trying to move the affected joint.
Because they are smaller, the joints of the fingers, both of the feet and the hands, are usually the first affected, but people with gout may also have problems with other joints, especially if they do not eat an adequate diet to reduce the amount of uric acid in the body..
What to do: It is advisable to go on a diet to decrease the amount of uric acid in the body, that is, reducing the intake of red meats, seafood and foods rich in proteins, such as cheese or lentils, for example. However, in times of crisis, the doctor may also recommend the use of anti-inflammatories to relieve joint pain and swelling. See more about gout, how to eat and other forms of treatment.
6. Lupus
This is an autoimmune disease that causes the body's own defense cells to destroy healthy tissue, and may therefore affect the tissue in the joints, leading to inflammation, pain and difficulty in moving the joints.
Generally, pain in the joints of the fingers is a first sign of lupus, which can then present other more characteristic symptoms, such as the appearance of a reddish, butterfly-shaped spot on the face. See other possible symptoms of lupus.
What to do: depending on the symptoms presented, the treatment may involve the use of immunosuppressive drugs to decrease the action of the immune system on cells and corticosteroids. However, it is always important to have regular consultations with an immunoallergologist or an endocrinologist to assess the symptoms that arise and adjust the treatment.
