What are the causes of knuckle pain? How can inflamed knuckles be treated? Get the answers to these questions and more in this comprehensive article.

Causes of Knuckle Pain

Knuckle pain can arise from a variety of sources, including injuries, underlying medical conditions, and age-related changes. Let’s explore the four main causes of knuckle pain:

Injury

Injuries to the structures that make up the knuckles, such as muscles, tendons, ligaments, and bones, can lead to pain. Common knuckle injuries include strains, sprains, fractures, and dislocations. Symptoms of a knuckle injury may include pain, swelling, limited flexibility, and visible changes like bruising or an abnormal finger angle.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation in the joints, including the knuckles. RA typically affects the small joints in the hands and wrists, leading to tenderness, stiffness, and pain in the knuckles. Treatment for RA-related knuckle pain may involve medications, physical therapy, and lifestyle modifications.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease that can affect the knuckles. OA often targets the joints at the tips and middle of the fingers, as well as the base of the thumb. Symptoms of OA in the knuckles include swelling, aching pain, stiffness, and reduced flexibility. While there is no cure for OA, a combination of treatments can help manage the symptoms.

Treatments for Knuckle Pain

The treatment approach for knuckle pain will depend on the underlying cause. Here are some common treatment options:

Treating Knuckle Injuries

For mild knuckle injuries, the RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) method can be helpful. More severe injuries, such as fractures or dislocations, may require medical intervention, such as splinting, resetting the joint, or surgery.

Managing Rheumatoid Arthritis

The goals of RA treatment include reducing inflammation, managing symptoms, and preventing long-term complications. Treatments may include medications, physical therapy, heat and cold therapy, and lifestyle modifications.

Addressing Osteoarthritis

While there is no cure for OA, a combination of treatments can help alleviate symptoms. These may include medications, physical therapy, weight management, and joint-friendly exercises.

Preventing Knuckle Pain

To help prevent knuckle pain, it’s important to take steps to protect the joints. Some prevention strategies include:

• Wearing protective gear when engaging in activities that may put the knuckles at risk of injury
• Maintaining a healthy weight to reduce stress on the joints
• Engaging in regular exercise to strengthen the muscles and improve joint mobility
• Seeking early treatment for any injuries or underlying conditions that may affect the knuckles

When to See a Healthcare Provider

If you experience persistent or severe knuckle pain, it’s important to consult a healthcare provider. They can help diagnose the underlying cause and develop an appropriate treatment plan to alleviate your symptoms and prevent further complications.

Key Takeaways

Knuckle pain can have a variety of causes, including injuries, rheumatoid arthritis, and osteoarthritis. Proper treatment and prevention strategies can help manage the symptoms and protect the health of your knuckles.

FAQs

What is the difference between a sprain and a strain in the knuckles?

A sprain is a stretch or tear of the ligaments that connect the bones in a joint, while a strain is a stretch or tear of the muscle or tendon. Both can cause pain and swelling in the knuckles.

Can knuckle pain be a sign of something more serious?

Yes, in some cases, persistent or severe knuckle pain may be a sign of an underlying medical condition, such as rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis. It’s important to seek medical attention if you experience ongoing or worsening knuckle pain.

What are some exercises that can help strengthen the knuckles?

Exercises that can help strengthen the muscles and improve flexibility around the knuckles include finger and hand stretches, grip exercises, and using resistance bands or light weights. Consulting a physical therapist can help identify the best exercises for your specific needs.

How can I prevent knuckle pain from reoccurring?

To help prevent knuckle pain from returning, it’s important to maintain good joint health through a combination of proper injury prevention, strength training, and weight management. Seeking medical attention for any underlying conditions and following recommended treatment plans can also help reduce the risk of recurrent knuckle pain.

Pain in knuckles: Causes and treatment options

Throbbing, aching, or shooting pain in the knuckles can result from an injury or an underlying medical condition.

This article discusses four common causes of knuckle pain and their symptoms and treatments.

A knuckle is a finger joint. The knuckles are where the two phalanges, or finger bones, meet each other and where they meet the metacarpals, or hand bones.

Most people have 14 knuckles in each hand, three on each finger, and two on each thumb.

Complex networks of nerves, muscles, tendons, and ligaments allow the knuckles to move, giving rise to precise finger movements, such as typing, holding utensils, and scratching the head.

Typically, four main issues cause knuckle pain.

Injury

Injuring any of the structures that make up the knuckles can lead to knuckle pain. Types of knuckle injuries include:

• Strains: including stretched or torn muscles and tendons
• Sprains: stretched or torn ligaments
• Fractured or broken knuckles: can occur when a person punches something or falls on their hand
• Dislocated knuckle: when a phalanx, or finger bone, moves out of its original position

Learn about the differences between a strain and a sprain here.

Symptoms of a knuckle injury

The symptoms of a knuckle injury vary depending on the type and severity of the damage.

People may feel mild to severe pain in the injured knuckle or knuckles. This can feel like a dull ache or a sharp, stabbing sensation.

The pain may worsen with movement.

Symptoms of a strain or sprain near a knuckle include:

• pain
• swelling
• limited flexibility
• stiffness or reduced range of motion

Symptoms of a fractured or broken knuckle include:

• bruising
• limited or no range of motion
• numbness or tingling in the affected finger
• visible changes, such as swelling and discoloration
• finger appears bent at an abnormal or extreme angle

Treatments for knuckle injuries

People can treat sprains, strains, and other mild knuckle injuries with RICE therapy:

• Rest: Avoid moving or using the injured knuckle while it heals. Consider immobilizing the knuckle in a splint or brace.
• Ice: Apply an ice pack or cold compress on the injured knuckle. This will help reduce swelling and relieve pain.
• Compression: If the knuckle appears swollen, consider wrapping it with a bandage or buddy tape.
• Elevation: Keep the injured finger raised above the heart. This may help reduce swelling.

A healthcare provider can diagnose a fractured, broken, or dislocated knuckle.

They will reset broken bones or maneuver a dislocated phalanx back into place. They may recommend wearing a brace or splint while the knuckle heals.

Over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), can reduce swelling and pain.

Rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that leads to inflammation in the joints. The Arthritis Foundation state that RA typically affects the joints in the hands, wrists, and knees.

According to an overview article in Medical Principles and Practice, RA initially causes painful swelling in small joints, such as the knuckles, before progressing to larger joints and organs.

Symptoms of RA in the knuckles include:

• tenderness or pain in the knuckles of one or both hands
• knuckles feel stiff, especially in the morning
• pain and stiffness occur in other joints, such as the wrists, knees, or hips

RA can lead to widespread symptoms, such as fatigue and weight loss.

The goals of RA treatment include:

• relieving inflammation
• managing other symptoms, such as pain and fatigue
• improving joint function and mobility
• preventing long-term complications, such as heart disease, obesity, and reduced quality of life

A healthcare provider may recommend one or more of the following treatments for knuckle pain related to RA:

• NSAIDs, immunosuppressants, or corticosteroids to reduce inflammation and pain
• topical pain relievers
• physical therapy to improve joint mobility
• heat therapy to relax the finger muscles and promote joint lubrication
• cold therapy to reduce inflammation and pain

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common type of arthritis, affecting more than 32. 5 million adults in the United States.

It is an age-related degenerative disease that involves cartilage loss and bone changes. OA can affect any joint in the body, including the knuckles.

OA most often affects the joints at the tip and middle of the fingers. OA can also cause swelling at the base of the thumb.

Symptoms of OA include:

• swelling in multiple knuckles
• deep, aching pain in the affected knuckles
• joint stiffness, especially in the morning
• reduced flexibility and limited range of motion in the affected knuckles
• muscle weakness near the knuckles
• a clicking or popping sound when bending the knuckles

There is no cure for OA. However, combining medication, physical therapy, and lifestyle changes, such as exercise and weight control, can help relieve OA symptoms and prevent long-term complications.

Medications for OA include:

• OTC pain relievers, such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen
• topical creams or gels that contain lidocaine, menthol, or capsaicin
• oral or injectable corticosteroids
• platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections

Non-drug therapies for OA include:

• physical therapy exercises to strengthen the joints and reduce stiffness
• surgery to remove damaged cartilage, for example

Ganglion cyst

A ganglion cyst is a round, fluid-filled growth that usually develops on the back of the wrist and the base of the fingers. Ganglion cysts can also appear on the knuckle closest to the tip of the finger.

Only about 10% of ganglion cysts form on joints other than the wrist.

A ganglion cyst may feel painful or tender to the touch. The pain only affects the knuckle where the cyst developed.

A ganglion cyst may resolve suddenly without medical treatment. A healthcare provider may also use a needle to drain a ganglion cyst.

A doctor may need to surgically remove a ganglion cyst if it returns or does not respond to other treatments.

Other causes of knuckle pain

Other possible causes of knuckle pain include:

• soft tissue growths, such as boils or nodules
• swollen tendons, also known as tendinitis
• gout
• infections
• bone cancer
• multiple sclerosis (MS)
• Raynaud’s phenomenon
• scleroderma
• lupus
• polymyositis

A doctor or other healthcare provider can diagnose the underlying cause of knuckle pain.

They usually start the diagnosis process by examining the knuckle for signs of inflammation. They may be able to diagnose a broken or dislocated knuckle from a visual inspection alone.

A doctor can confirm a diagnosis or rule out other possible causes of knuckle pain with one or more of the following tests:

• X-rays
• CT scans
• MRI scans
• joint aspiration

Joint aspiration is a procedure where a healthcare provider inserts a needle in the space between a joint. They use the needle to collect joint fluid, which they send to a laboratory for analysis.

Joint aspiration tests can help diagnose RA and gout.

People can treat knuckle pain at home by:

• applying hot and cold compresses to the inflamed or injured knuckle
• resting the fingers by avoiding typing, writing, and other activities that involve the hands
• taking OTC pain relief medication
• gently stretching the fingers
• reducing stress with meditation and deep breathing exercises

The following tips may help a person prevent knuckle pain:

• Wear gloves and other protective hand gear.
• Take frequent breaks from repetitive tasks that place strain on the knuckles.
• Maintain a moderate weight.
• Control blood sugar levels.
• Quit smoking.

Some causes of knuckle pain resolve with rest and at-home treatments.

However, a person may want to consider seeing a doctor if they have persistent knuckle pain that does not improve despite at-home treatments.

People should also seek medical attention if they experience:

• a potential fractured, broken, or dislocated knuckle
• new or worsening knuckle pain with no apparent cause
• pain or stiffness in other joints
• numbness or tingling in the affected finger that spreads to the hand, wrist, or arm
• visible changes to their knuckle, such as swelling or discoloration
• a painful or tender bump on a knuckle

Knuckle pain due to a minor injury will often heal without medical intervention.

Rest, ice therapy, compression, and elevation are useful methods for treating most mild injuries. A doctor can set and bind a fractured, broken, or dislocated knuckle.

Knuckle pain that persists despite at-home treatments may indicate an underlying condition, such as RA, OA, or a swollen tendon.

In these cases, knuckle pain should resolve after treating the underlying condition.

People can prevent knuckle pain by protecting their fingers and hands during recreational activities.

To help prevent overuse injuries, a person can take frequent breaks from tasks that involve repetitive finger movements, such as typing or writing.

Dermatomyositis Information | Mount Sinai

Dermatomyositis is a disease that involves muscle inflammation and a skin rash. Polymyositis is a similar inflammatory condition that also involves muscle weakness, swelling, tenderness, and tissue damage but no skin rash. Both are part of a larger group of diseases called myopathies, more specifically inflammatory myopathies.

Red, thickened, scaly skin over the knuckles (Gottron sign) associated with dermatomyositis, an autoimmune disease of the skin and muscles.

This violet-colored inflammation (erythema) over the knuckles is caused by Dermatomyositis. Other skin conditions produce more redness, while the color of this lesion is violet. There may also be inflammation in the muscle tissue.

This photograph demonstrates the sign heliotrope eyelids in which the eyelids develop a brown (violaceous – rather than red) color. Heliotrope eyelids and Gottron’s papules on the knuckles are characteristic findings in dermatomyositis.

The appearance of purple (violaceous) plaques on the knees may be associated with dermatomyositis. Typically, most lesions associated with other diseases are red (erythematous).

This is Gottron sign, seen in dermatomyositis (an inflammatory disease of the muscles and skin). Violet-colored inflammation over the knuckles is an important diagnostic finding in dermatomyositis, since other skin conditions produce more redness.

Dermatomyositis, a connective tissue disease, typically produces a reddish-purple (violaceous) rash. The rash is named after the tendency of plants to grow toward the sun (heliotropic) and is characteristic of dermatomyositis.

Causes

The cause of dermatomyositis is unknown. Experts think it may be due to a viral infection of the muscles or a problem with the body’s immune system. It may also occur in people who have cancer in the abdomen, lung, or other parts of the body.

Anyone can develop this condition. It most often occurs in children age 5 to 15 and adults age 40 to 60. It affects women more often than men.

Symptoms

Symptoms may include:

• Muscle weakness, stiffness, or soreness
• Problems swallowing
• Purple color to the upper eyelids
• Purple-red skin rash
• Shortness of breath
• Difficulty swallowing

The muscle weakness may come on suddenly or develop slowly over weeks or months. You may have trouble raising your arms over your head, getting up from a sitting position, and climbing stairs.

The rash may appear on your face, knuckles, neck, shoulders, upper chest, and back.

Exams and Tests

The health care provider will do a physical exam. Tests may include:

• Bloods test to check levels of muscle enzymes called creatine phosphokinase and aldolase
• Blood tests for autoimmune diseases
• Electrocardiogram (ECG)
• Electromyography (EMG)
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
• Muscle biopsy
• Skin biopsy
• Screening tests for cancer
• Chest x-ray and CT scan of the chest
• Lung function tests
• Swallowing study
• Myositis specific and associated autoantibodies

Treatment

The main treatment is the use of corticosteroid medicines. The dose of medicine is slowly tapered off as muscle strength improves. This takes about 4 to 6 weeks. You may stay on a low dose of a corticosteroid medicine after that.

Medicines to suppress the immune system may be used to replace the corticosteroids. These drugs may include azathioprine, methotrexate or mycophenolate.

Treatments that may be tried when disease that remains active in spite of these medicines are:

• Intravenous gamma globulin
• Biologic drugs

When your muscles get stronger, your provider may tell you to slowly cut back on your doses. Many people with this condition must take a medicine called prednisone for the rest of their lives.

If a tumor is causing the condition, the muscle weakness and rash may get better when the tumor is removed.

Outlook (Prognosis)

It is important to be followed by a health care provider when you have dermatomyositis. Severe illness can lead to disability and can sometimes result in death.

Symptoms may go away completely in some people, such as children.

The condition may be fatal in adults due to:

• Severe muscle weakness
• Malnutrition
• Pneumonia
• Lung failure

The major causes of death with this condition are cancer and lung disease.

People with lung disease with the anti-MDA-5 antibody have a poor prognosis in spite of current treatment.

Possible Complications

Complications may include:

• Lung disease
• Acute renal failure
• Cancer (malignancy)
• Inflammation of the heart
• Joint pain

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Contact your provider if you have muscle weakness or other symptoms of this condition.

Aggarwal R, Rider LG, Ruperto N, et al. 2016 American College of Rheumatology/European League against rheumatism criteria for minimal, moderate, and major clinical response in adult dermatomyositis and polymyositis: An International Myositis Assessment and Clinical Studies Group/Paediatric Rheumatology International Trials Organisation Collaborative Initiative. Arthritis Rheumatol. 2017;69(5):898-910. PMID: 28382787 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28382787/.

Dalakas MC. Inflammatory muscle diseases. N Engl J Med. 2015;373(4):393-394. PMID: 26200989 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26200989/.

Nagaraju K, Aggarwal R, Lundberg IE. Inflammatory diseases of muscle and other myopathies. In: Firestein GS, Budd RC, Gabriel SE, Koretzky GA, McInnes IB, O’Dell JR, eds. Firestein & Kelley’s Textbook of Rheumatology. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 90.

National Organization for Rare Disorders website. Dermatomyositis. rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/dermatomyositis/. Updated 2018. Accessed March 3, 2023.

Last reviewed on: 1/25/2023

Reviewed by: Neil J. Gonter, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Columbia University, NY and private practice specializing in Rheumatology at Rheumatology Associates of North Jersey, Teaneck, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

what is it, types and symptoms, treatment

Adamant
medical clinic

St. Petersburg, embankment of the river Moika, 78.

+7 (812) 740-20-90

Content:

Arthritis of the joints is a systemic connective tissue disease that manifests itself as chronic inflammation of the joints. As a rule, arthritis develops after 30 years, women are more often affected by the disease.

The disease causes a lot of pain and various complications – up to complete deformation and destruction of the joints. Ultimately, this leads to the defeat of a number of internal organs.

Doctors of the Adamant Medical Clinic guarantee you a comprehensive diagnosis and effective therapy, which will prevent the development of the disease and return the joy of painless movement to you in a short time.

Types and symptoms

Symptoms of arthritis of the joints depend on the type of disease:

1. Osteoarthritis – affects weight-bearing joints, causes arthritis of the knee, hip and spine:

• pain and stiffness;
• increase in joint volume;
• bone outgrowths.

2. Rheumatoid arthritis – usually affects the small joints of the hands and feet, but can also spread to the larger joints – knee and hip:

• inflammation and pain in the joints;
• weakness and insomnia;
• loss of appetite, weight loss.

3. Still’s disease—usually causes inflammation of the wrist joints, but spreads to others over time:

• feverish state;
• inflammation and pain in the joints;
• rashes on the body;
• cardiopulmonary manifestations.

4. Infectious arthritis – affects the large joints of the arms and legs:

• inflammation and pain in the joints;
• increased body temperature;
• sharp pain on touch.

Regardless of the characteristics of each type of arthritis – the disease leads to the same result – the destruction of the joint and loss of motor function.

Therefore, at the first symptoms of arthritis of the joints, treatment should be followed immediately.

For help, contact Adamant Medical Clinic – our doctors will conduct a comprehensive diagnosis of your musculoskeletal system and immediately begin effective therapy.

Diagnostics

A rheumatologist is the doctor who diagnoses and treats arthritis. He fixes the presence of the disease during the initial visual examination. To clarify the degree and type of the disease allow various instrumental methods – radiography, tomography, thermography, ultrasound of the joints and others.

Based on the type and degree of development of the disease, the doctor prescribes the most effective therapy.

Treatment

Treatment for arthritis of the joints depends on the type of disease and its features.

In general it consists of:

• anti-inflammatory therapy – eliminates inflammation and its causes;
• restoration of the lymphatic system – increases your immunity;
• normalization of nutrition of joint tissues and restoration of metabolic processes in the joint and in the body as a whole.

Effective treatment of arthritis of the knee, hip and other joints is possible only under the strict supervision of your doctor. Various ointments and other painkillers only temporarily stop the painful symptoms, but do not stop the destruction of the joint.

For complex therapy, contact Adamant Medical Clinic. The experience and high qualification of our specialists guarantee you the most effective treatment with the least degree of surgical intervention. This will return you the happiness of painless movement and the joy of a healthy life in a short time!

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Inflammation of the joint. Treatment of joints in St. Petersburg.

Disease Group:
Joint Diseases

Inflammation is the process by which the body releases chemicals into the blood or diseased tissues, which increases blood flow to the area of ​​injury or infection.

Contents

• Diagnostics
• Treatment of inflammation of the joints

Inflammation is the process by which the body releases chemicals into the blood or affected tissues, which increases blood flow to the area of ​​injury or infection, and can lead to redness and heat . Some chemicals released by the body cause the area of ​​inflammation to swell (swell). All of these processes can stimulate nerves and cause pain. The term “arthritis” is commonly used to refer to inflammation in the joints.

In all cases of inflammation of the joint, the patient will have some or all of these symptoms: reddening of the skin in the area of ​​the joint, swelling, pain, stiffness and stiffness of the joint, loss of joint function. However, in order to treat inflammation of the joints, it is necessary to accurately diagnose the type of arthritis. For example, in osteoarthritis (the most common type of arthritis), degenerative processes occur, and inflammation occurs as a result of destruction of the joint, but in rheumatoid arthritis, inflammation is a direct manifestation of the disease, that is, autoimmune processes cause the joint to become inflamed. Accordingly, these two types of arthritis should be treated differently. In total, there are about 100 types of arthritis and their accompanying conditions, so the treatment of joint inflammation directly depends on high-quality diagnostics.

To diagnose joint inflammation, an orthopedist needs to perform a physical examination. If inflammation is suspected, a blood test and X-ray/MRI will be ordered to help determine the type of arthritis. For example, if a patient has rheumatoid arthritis, then the so-called rheumatoid factor will be found in the blood (but it should be noted that these same antibodies can be present in the blood in other types of diseases), and if the patient has osteoarthritis, then the scan will show the degree of abrasion of the joint.

Some of the same therapies included in various arthritis programs, such as rest, relaxation, and anti-inflammatory treatments, are recommended for everyone. Exercise will also be beneficial for patients with any type of arthritis, but the type of exercise and intensity will vary between patients with different forms of inflammation. Medical treatment, including joint blockade, is offered to people suffering from severe pain.

The treatment of inflammation of the joint is a comprehensive program that includes physical therapy, exercise therapy and medications. Both drugs and injections, as well as some procedures (for example, tissue neuroadaptation, hirudotherapy, acupuncture, apitherapy, magnetotherapy, etc.) can reduce inflammation and pain. Other procedures are given to patients with arthritis because they make the joints more mobile and help to move more freely, such as shock wave therapy, laser exposure, isometric kinesiotherapy, osteopathy, etc. The third format of procedures improves blood circulation, removes toxins and helps to relax ( for example, massage, mud therapy, laser therapy, etc.).

Reviews of treatment

Huge thanks to Sergey Ivanovich Pronkin for the excellent results of treatment, attentive and friendly attitude, enlightening conversations during treatment and explanation of the causes of pain in the joints. High level professional! Special thanks to the friendly team of administrators for their efficient work and attention!

Alla Borisovna Pavlenko, 70 years old
All patient reviews

Diagnostics

If your joints regularly hurt or swell, contact your doctor immediately. Treating joint inflammation at an early stage helps to avoid joint destruction. The doctor of the Health Workshop clinic in St. Petersburg will examine you and ask you in detail about your symptoms. He will make the correct diagnosis with the help of a comprehensive examination. We use the following diagnostic methods:

MRI. Magnetic resonance imaging

Ultrasound examination (ultrasound)

Densitometry

Electrocardiogram (ECG)

Daily ECG monitoring

Comprehensive medical examination of the body (check-up)

Bioim pedantic body analysis within the program “Smart Weight Loss”

Laboratory tests

Treatment of inflammation of the joints

Doctors of the clinics “Masterskaya Zdorovya” in St. Petersburg have been treating inflammation of the joints with therapeutic methods for more than 14 years.

The doctor individually draws up a course of treatment for the patient, taking into account the type, stage of the disease, age and characteristics of the patient’s body.