The musculoskeletal system encompasses the bones, muscles, and connective tissue that allow you to stay upright and moving. Joints are an integral part of this system. They act as the pivot point by which muscles, tendons, and ligaments are able to pull and move a part of the body.
It's estimated that the human body contains around 360 joints.
Joint issues tend to create problems for many people later in life as wear-and-tear manifests as pain and discomfort. Knees and hips are common sources of joint pain, with joint pain in the hands and fingers coming in a close second.
The hands have a lot of joints in a relatively small region, the reason for their ability to perform precise movements. But that ingenuity also increases the probability of experiencing joint pain in that part of your body; there are over 40 joints in your hands alone.
Below is a closer look at your finger joints, reasons why these joints may hurt, as well as some things you can try for relief.
Osteoarthritis
Arthritis is the medical term to describe joint inflammation.
There are many types of arthritis, including psoriatic arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis; arthritis has a number of causes and can emerge as a result of genetics, over-use or prolonged use, or direct injury.
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common form of arthritis that happens due to wear and tear over time. Cartilage is the barrier tissue found between bones at joint connections, and it acts as a protectant between bones to avoid bone-on-bone friction. Over time, the cartilage between bones in joints begins to deteriorate, and once worn away, you may experience pain or discomfort from bone-to-bone contact. This is osteoarthritis (OA). OA can present as inflammation, pain, and stiffness across the joint and ligament.
The knee joint is especially susceptible to osteoarthritis because it bears the weight of the body for so long, but osteoarthritis in the hands, thumb, or proximal interphalangeal joints (the joints closest to the tip of your finger) are also common. Frequent motions performed by the hand, such as those of typists, musicians, and tailors, can also lead to this form of wear and tear, sometimes presenting as numbness or fatigue.
Prevention
The best way to help osteoarthritis is to prevent it in the first place by taking care of your joints.
In the case of hand osteoarthritis, you should try to practice good technique for whatever task you're doing. Learning proper hand positioning for repetitive motions such as typing, playing an instrument, or sewing can help to reduce wear and tear on joints further down the road.
Remedies
While osteoarthritis in the hands is not fully "curable", there are steps you can take to minimize discomfort. Easing the workload on your hands, taking over-the-counter pain relievers, and using anti-inflammatory medications can provide some relief for joint pain.
While these can provide a baseline for getting relief, you may need to consult with your doctor to find the best option for you and your situation.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is another form of arthritis, though it has little to do with wear and tear and everything to do with your immune system.
The immune system is extremely complex, generally able to identify foreign invaders and eliminate them before they have a chance to threaten your health. While incredibly good at this function, the immune system can sometimes mistake your own tissues as a foreign invader and inflict self-harm — this is the basis for autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis.
When someone has rheumatoid arthritis, their body mistakenly identifies joint tissues as foreign. As a result, it sends immune cells to the site (specifically, inflammation-causing cells). This results in pain, swelling, and even damage to the joint.
RA commonly impacts joints in the fingers, hand, wrist, and knees. A blood test for rheumatoid factor and anti-CCP antibodies can help diagnosis this form of arthritis.
Prevention
Unlike osteoarthritis, there is no way to completely prevent RA. As an autoimmune disease, it can occur even if you're otherwise healthy.
Remedies
Currently, there is no cure for RA, but there are treatments that can help, with some people achieving remission and a reduction in symptom severity.
If you suffer from what you suspect to be RA, consult your doctor or a rheumatologist. Early treatment is ideal for reducing progression and allowing you to maintain your quality of life.
Similar to OA, you may consider using OTC medications to manage some of the pain and swelling.
The Takeaway
Occasional finger joint pain is nothing to fear, and your pain may be due to something as simple as a sprain or injury. Constant pain, especially later in life, can be a sign of joint damage or illness.
Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis represent two of many potential causes of finger joint pain. You may also encounter carpal tunnel syndrome, Raynaud’s phenomenon, swan neck deformity, Dupuytren’s contracture, or ganglion cysts depending on your tendon health and any pre-existing conditions.
Concerns like psoriasis, lupus, gout, or even fevers can lead to co-occurring pains in the knuckles and joints that may be treatable too.
Surgical options like joint replacement or joint fusion may be available in some cases, or you may be able to manage your joint pain without surgery using physical therapy and steroid injections, anti-rheumatic drugs, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and other medications.
If you experience recurring finger or hand joint pain, it's best to get it checked out by a professional— your hands are one of your most important assets, do your best to take care of them.
SOURCES
Anatomy of the Hand | Johns Hopkins
Sexual dysfunction in rheumatoid arthritis patients: arthritis and beyond | NCBI
Rheumatoid Arthritis: Early diagnosis and treatment outcomes | NCBI
