Knuckle pain and swelling: Knuckle Pain: Causes, Treatment, and Prevention

09.08.202306.07.2023 by alexxlab

Knuckle Pain: Causes, Treatment, and Prevention

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Medically reviewed by William Morrison, M. D. — By Ali Kimbrel — Updated on August 1, 2018

Overview

Knuckle pain can occur in any or all fingers. It can be very uncomfortable and make everyday tasks more difficult.

Knowing the cause of knuckle pain can help you find methods of pain relief so you are able to do the things you’re used to doing.

Knuckle pain can feel like stiffness in the joints, making it difficult to move or bend your fingers. You might experience pain when moving these joints. The pain may be accompanied by swelling and redness. Some people experience a dull aching pain, even when not using their hands.

The most common cause of knuckle pain is arthritis. Arthritis is a disease that causes inflammation of the joints, including the knuckles. This inflammation can result in pain, stiffness, and swelling.

A person with arthritis usually feels pain with active use of their hands followed by a dull ache afterward.

Other causes may be:

Injury. Any type of injury, such as a dislocation, that causes a lot of pain should be treated immediately.
Tendonitis. Tendonitis is a swelling of the stretchy bands that help your fingers to move. It causes pain around a joint.
Mixed connective tissue disease. Joint pain in the hands is one of the early symptoms of mixed connective tissue disease.
Scleroderma. Also known as systemic sclerosis, scleroderma can cause joint pain, swelling, and limited movement of the fingers.
Rheumatoid arthritis. This is a common connective tissue disorder that can affect the knuckles.
Gout. Although uncommon, gout can result in pain and swelling of the knuckle.
Infection. An infection can also cause pain and swelling in the knuckle.

There’s no one treatment for relieving knuckle pain. Consult with your doctor about pain relief techniques such as:

Ice. Applying ice to sore knuckles can help reduce swelling and pain.
Medication. Taking an over-the-counter pain reliever such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) can help ease pain.
Vitamin C. A 2017 study suggests that vitamin C may reduce pain in joints.
Surgery. In severe cases, surgery to repair the damage in the joints of the knuckles may be necessary, but this isn’t common.

Taking care of your joints can help to prevent future knuckle pain. This includes:

Exercise. Proper exercise can ensure your hands are strong and resilient.
Protection. Wear gloves when appropriate to protect your knuckles.
Proper nutrition. Diets rich in calcium, vitamin D, and vitamin C can help keep your joints healthy.

Knuckle pain often doesn’t have an easy fix. Arthritis, the most common cause of knuckle pain, is a chronic condition that can be managed but not cured.

Taking care of your joints and treating the symptoms of knuckle pain can help to reduce its effect on your daily life.

Last medically reviewed on July 31, 2018

How we reviewed this article:

Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Carr A, et al. (2017). The role of vitamin C in the treatment of pain: New insights. DOI:
10.1186/s12967-017-1179-7
Joint disorders. (2018).
medlineplus.gov/jointdisorders.html
Joint health and care: Prevention, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment. (2009).
medlineplus.gov/magazine/issues/spring09/articles/spring09pg14.html
Mayo Clinic Staff. (2018). Mixed connective tissue disease.
mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/mixed-connective-tissue-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20375147
Scleroderma symptoms. (n.d.).
hopkinsmedicine. org/healthlibrary/conditions/adult/arthritis_and_other_rheumatic_diseases/scleroderma_symptoms_22,sclerodermasymptoms

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Medically reviewed by William Morrison, M.D. — By Ali Kimbrel — Updated on August 1, 2018

Non-arthritis causes of swollen, painful finger joints

Arthritis is a common cause of finger swelling, but other conditions — such as injuries, preeclampsia, and trauma — can also cause swelling, inflammation, and pain in the fingers and knuckles.

Finger swelling can happen when inflammation or fluid accumulates in the tissues or joints of one or all of the fingers. A person may lose some mobility and notice that their fingers are stiffer and more tender than usual.

Both minor and more severe infections and conditions can cause varying degrees of swelling in the fingers. If someone experiences finger swelling along with pain, heat, and flushing, they should seek urgent medical advice.

Read on to learn more about some potential causes of finger joint swelling that are not arthritis, accompanying symptoms, and treatment options.

During hot weather, the blood vessels dilate. This makes it possible for more blood to flow through the skin, which cools it down as it loses heat to the air. When this happens, people may notice their fingers and feet swelling.

Symptoms

Generally, when someone experiences heat edema, their skin is shinier and stretched around the swollen area. They may also feel a tightness in their fingers when picking up cups and other objects.

Treatment

To reduce heat edema, people should try to move into the shade. They should also ensure that they eat and drink enough during the day.

When a person exercises, they feel hotter. To cool down, the body pushes the blood closer to the surface of the skin to dissipate the heat. When this happens, a person may notice swelling in their hands, fingers, and feet.

However, finger swelling is sometimes a symptom of a more serious condition called hyponatremia. Exercise-related hyponatremia occurs when blood sodium concentration drops to a dangerous level because a person is exercising and drinking too much water without replacing lost electrolytes.

Symptoms

The early stages of hyponatremia may present with puffiness and swelling in the hands and feet. If a person has hyponatremia, they require urgent medical attention.

Some other symptoms of hyponatremia include:

confusion
dizziness
headache
seizures
coma

Treatment

Finger swelling from exercising usually goes down when a person takes a break or ends their workout.

Treatment for hyponatremia varies depending on how low a person’s blood sodium levels are. Some people may need to stop drinking until they urinate, whereas others may need intravenous (IV) saline.

When blood sodium levels are severely low, some people may need hospital admission for close monitoring and frequent blood work. This is because hyponatremia requires very careful correction. However, if correction occurs too quickly, some people can become sicker, and this can be life threatening.

Common causes of hand and finger injuries include:

falls
sports
catching fingers in machines
thermal burns
chemical burns

When a person hurts their hand or fingers, they usually experience pain and swelling and lose finger mobility for a while.

If the damage is particularly severe, a person may later develop complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). CRPS occurs when the body’s inflammatory response to the injury is too high.

Symptoms

Some CRPS symptoms include:

stiffness
pain
swelling
changes in skin color

Treatment

When a person injures their finger, immediate treatment usually includes:

taking over-the-counter (OTC) anti-inflammatory medications
taking OTC pain relief medications
taping the finger to restrict movement

If stiffness develops, the person may need to perform finger exercises and continue to take anti-inflammatory medications.

Hand and finger infections are common in people who work on farms and building sites. Staphylococcus aureus is the most prevalent bacterial hand infection and is responsible for 80% of cases.

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is the most common viral infection, whereas Trichophyton, Microsporum, and Epidermophyton species tend to cause most fungal infections.

Symptoms

Depending on where the infection is, a person could experience:

pain
heat around the swelling
skin darkening
abscess
loss of finger function

A person may also experience systemic infections, which cause symptoms such as fever and chills. This may be more likely if there is joint involvement of the infection.

Treatment

Antibiotics can treat bacterial infections. HSV could resolve on its own, but a doctor may recommend antiviral treatment if it does not. Depending on how severe a fungal infection is, a doctor usually prescribes topical antifungal medications to apply to the affected area before considering oral medication.

Some swelling in the fingers is normal during pregnancy. However, if swelling occurs rapidly and with other symptoms, a person should contact a doctor immediately.

In the last trimester of pregnancy, some people experience preeclampsia. When this happens, blood pressure and swelling suddenly increase, which can be dangerous for both the parent and the fetus.

Symptoms

When a person has preeclampsia, they may experience:

swelling in the fingers, hands, and feet
a persistent headache
blurry vision
difficulty breathing

Learn more about preeclampsia.

Treatment

When preeclampsia is mild, a doctor usually watches the person closely until they give birth. During this time, the doctor may test their blood and urine and monitor the fetus with an ultrasound.

In severe cases of preeclampsia, the individual may receive IV medication to control their blood pressure and prevent seizures.

When someone has carpal tunnel syndrome, the median nerve in the wrist is compressed, which causes pain in the hands and fingers. In most cases, people report that their fingers feel swollen but that they cannot actually see any swelling.

Symptoms

Some other symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome include:

numbness in the index and middle fingers
tingling during the day and night
difficulty grasping objects
weakness

Treatment

A doctor may recommend the following carpal tunnel treatments:

splinting
avoiding activities that trigger pain
taking OTC pain relief medications
trying alternative therapies, such as acupuncture
undergoing surgery

Learn more about carpal tunnel syndrome.

Bursitis occurs when the bursa inflames. Bursae are small, fluid-filled sacs that sit between bones, tendons, and muscles. Bursitis can develop anywhere in the body, including the fingers, but common areas of inflammation tend to be in the hips, elbows, and knees.

When someone overuses their joints, it can lead to bursitis.

Symptoms

Some symptoms of bursitis include:

pain
tenderness around joint
reduced joint mobility
swelling and skin darkening

Treatment

Treatment options for non-infectious bursitis in the finger include:

resting the area
icing the area
taking OTC anti-inflammatory and pain relief medications
taping up the finger to reduce movement

Learn more about bursitis.

Scleroderma means hard skin. It is an autoimmune condition that affects the skin and underlying connective tissue. It can also sometimes lead to multi-organ involvement.

Symptoms

When a person has this condition, they may notice their skin becoming stiff and swollen around the finger joints.

Some other symptoms of localized scleroderma include:

pale fingers
finger joint pain
taut and shiny skin where there is swelling
immobile fingers

Treatment

There is currently no cure for scleroderma, but doctors can treat hardened skin and inflammation using corticosteroids.

Learn more about scleroderma.

Some other potential causes of finger swelling include:

mallet finger
nailbed injuries
trigger finger
Dupuytren’s contracture
cysts
tumors

People typically experience pain and swelling in the fingers after a sprain or injury. If the swelling does not show any signs of reducing after a few days, a person should contact a doctor — especially if the area feels hot.

Sometimes, finger swelling is a symptom of a more serious condition, such as preeclampsia or scleroderma. In these cases, a person usually experiences other symptoms, such as headaches and pale fingers, respectively.

Finger swelling has various causes. Injuries, physical activities, and environmental factors such as hot weather can all cause finger swelling. Some rare autoimmune conditions, such as localized scleroderma, can also present with finger joint swelling.

If a person is pregnant and their fingers swell rapidly, they should contact a doctor to rule out preeclampsia.

Sore and swollen joints: causes and treatment

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11.02.21

Orthopedist-traumatologist

Joints are a complex bone and cartilage structure that takes on the entire body weight. Small and large joints perform a motor function and regularly experience physical stress. Pain and swelling of the joints – a reaction to internal or external factors, which results in a restriction of movement, a change in shape. If there is swelling and pain in the joints, regardless of localization, you should consult a doctor to avoid severe, irreversible consequences.

Causes of swollen joints

The basis of the formation of joint edema is almost always an inflammatory process. Depending on the boundaries of the pathological focus, swelling of the joints can be general or local. According to the course of the process, acute and chronic edema are distinguished. Of the common causes of edema formation, there are:

arthritis;
arthrosis;
bursitis;
osteoarthritis;
rheumatoid arthritis;
gout;
osteochondritis occurring with cartilage necrosis;
injuries;
intense sports activities;
prolonged execution of the same type of movements;
insufficient physical activity;
infectious diseases;
disorders of the functions of the heart and blood vessels;
malnutrition;
age-related changes;
neurological problems.

In order to develop a therapeutic program, it is first necessary to determine the cause of joint swelling. Without finding out the root cause, it is impossible to achieve a stable therapeutic effect.

What to do if the joints on the hand are swollen

Swelling of the hand joints quite often occurs against the background of degenerative-dystrophic changes. In the absence of pain, patients present characteristic complaints:

swelling followed by stiffness of the joints of the fingers;
redness of the skin over affected tissues;
feeling of pulsation;
discomfort in surrounding muscles;
appearance of fluid in local tissues.

After a thorough examination, all forces are directed to the elimination of the root cause. Glucocorticosteroids, drugs with chondroprotective, anti-inflammatory, muscle relaxant effects are prescribed. Thanks to them, degenerative processes are slowed down, inflammation symptoms are stopped. Be sure to use B vitamins.

A separate place is occupied by the use of traditional medicine, which helps to alleviate the patient’s condition. For this purpose, it is effective to apply compresses, perform local baths, and apply ointments based on medicinal plants.

Pronounced decongestant and anti-inflammatory effect is achieved with various physiotherapy procedures:

shock wave therapy;
electrophoresis;
paraffin therapy;
ozocerite applications;
mud wraps;
warm-ups.

All active therapeutic manipulations are carried out after the elimination of signs of the inflammatory process.

Swelling of the joints of the legs

Swelling of the ankle joints, small joints of the foot brings inconvenience and unpleasant symptoms. Patients suffering from swelling of the joints of the legs deny themselves beautiful shoes, cannot wear clothes that open their knees. Quite often, the root cause of pathological changes is:

all kinds of injuries;
autoimmune diseases;
deforming articular pathologies;
degenerative processes;
problems of the cardiovascular system;
violations of kidney function;
severe allergic reactions.

Swelling of the knee joint is often observed with injuries of the meniscus and cruciate ligaments.

Conservative, minimally invasive surgical methods and physiotherapy are used to eliminate swelling of the leg joints. Of the medications, it is advisable to prescribe:

diuretics;
anticancer drugs;
glucocorticosteroids;
antibiotics;
non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
antihistamines;
decongestant and cooling ointments, gels.

Minimally invasive procedures performed with minimal damage to the integrity of the skin and joint structure. A syringe is used to puncture the joint capsule and suck out the fluid from the joint cavity. The purpose of arthroscopy is to remove damaged bone and cartilage elements, restore the integrity of the cruciate ligaments.

Of the physiotherapeutic methods, a pronounced therapeutic effect is provided by:

At the stage of recovery, sports physical education is obligatory. The course of exercise therapy contributes to the normalization of motor activity, the restoration of metabolic processes in the affected joints and surrounding tissues. Massage stimulates the movement of lymph, activates local blood flow. Massage sessions eliminate signs of edema, relieve pain, restore trophism of soft, cartilaginous and articular tissues.

Diagnosis

To establish the root cause of joint swelling, a diagnostic examination plan is drawn up. The diagnostic program includes:

X-ray – performed first. Pictures of the joints are taken in two projections. Affected joints are distinguished by the presence of a narrowing of the joint space, deformation of the edges, areas of destruction. The pictures show changes in the articular ends of the bones, foci of osteolysis.
Sonography – is necessary to determine the degree of soft tissue damage. During the study, it is possible to identify the presence of free fluid, foci of pathological deposits of calcium salts, and hemorrhages. The method is the main one for establishing the root cause of swelling of the joints of the hands and feet.
CT, MRI – visualize tumor processes, intra-articular injuries. Tomographic methods are used to differentiate the types of pathological changes – tumors, edema, degenerative pathologies of bone fragments.
Puncture of the joint is mandatory in case of suspected synovitis, hemarthrosis. The resulting biomaterial is sent for bacteriological, cytological and immunological analysis. Based on the results obtained, it is possible to establish the nature of the pathological process.
Laboratory tests – necessary to confirm or refute the rheumatoid, autoimmune, allergic nature of the disease.

Only the results of a comprehensive diagnostic examination give a complete picture of the nature of the underlying cause of joint swelling.

Which doctor to contact

If you or someone close to you has swollen joints of the elbows, fingers or toes, knees or ankles, you should definitely consult an orthopedist or rheumatologist. At the Center for Restorative Medicine in Naberezhnye Chelny, specialists with many years of experience in working with patients with joint problems conduct appointments. Detailed information about doctor’s qualifications can be found here.

After a thorough diagnosis, the doctor draws up a drug treatment program and prescribes a course of therapy aimed at restoring the functions of the joints. The patient is in the safe hands of experienced massage therapists, physiotherapists, and rehabilitation specialists. Careful classes with specialists guarantee a long-term therapeutic effect and normalization of the work of damaged joints.

Prices for medical procedures in the clinic can be viewed at the link. If you have any questions, please call +7 (8552) 78-09-35, +7 (953) 482-66-62. Attentive specialists will definitely give you a complete answer, write down a consultation with a doctor at a convenient time for you.

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Hip dysplasia

Hip dysplasia is a congenital defect associated with impaired joint formation, which in the future may cause dislocation or subluxation of the femoral head. It is believed that such a pathological condition occurs against the background of gynecological problems in the mother, a painful pregnancy, or a genetic predisposition to the occurrence of underdevelopment of the joint or its increased mobility in combination with connective tissue deficiency.

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Baker’s cyst is a benign tumor that protrudes outward in the area of the popliteal fossa. Sometimes it is called a hernia or bursitis of the popliteal fossa.

Joint pain

Joint discomfort is common and is usually felt in the arms, legs, hips, knees, or spine. The pain may be constant or it may come and go. Sometimes the joint may feel stiff, aching, or sore. Some patients complain of a burning, throbbing, or “grinding” sensation. In addition, the joint may feel stiff in the morning, but it relaxes and feels better with movement and activity. However, excessive activity can increase pain.

Symptoms

Symptoms of joint pain range from mild to severe. Symptoms may include:

Swelling (edema)
Stiff or enlarged joint
Numbness
Cracking or clicking in the joints
Painful movement
Difficult to flex or extend the joint
Loss of movement
Red, hot and swollen joint

When to see a doctor?

If the pain is interfering with your normal daily life, it’s time to talk to your doctor about the problem. It is important to quickly diagnose the cause of pain and begin treatment to relieve pain and maintain healthy, functioning joints.

You should see a doctor if:

Pain accompanied by fever
Unexplained weight loss (5 kg or more)
Pain prevents you from walking normally

Reasons

The most common causes of chronic joint pain are:

Osteoarthritis occurs over time when cartilage, the protective cushion between bones, wears out. The joints become painful and stiff. Osteoarthritis develops slowly and usually occurs in middle age.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disease that causes swelling and pain in the joints. Joints are often deformed (most often fingers and wrists).
Gout is a painful condition in which body crystals accumulate in a joint, causing severe pain and swelling. It usually occurs on the big toe.
Bursitis occurs due to overexertion.

Knuckle pain and swelling: Knuckle Pain: Causes, Treatment, and Prevention

Knuckle Pain: Causes, Treatment, and Prevention

How we reviewed this article:

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