15 Causes of Swollen Fingers

Medically Reviewed by David Zelman, MD on February 07, 2023

Swelling happens when body fluids collect in tissues or joints. Sometimes your pinkie might be puffy. Or you may have trouble slipping your rings on and off. A salty meal could be one culprit. That’s usually not a cause for worry. But other times, your swollen fingers and hands can signal a health problem that needs your attention.

Your heart, lungs, and muscles need oxygen to fuel your workout. So, more blood goes to those places and less flows to your hands. Small blood vessels react to this change and expand, and that swells your fingers. Something similar happens when your body heats up in hot weather. To cool down, blood vessels in your skin swell to allow heat to leave the surface. This is totally normal.

You may have a torn a ligament or sprained your finger. Or injured a tendon, or dislocated or even broken a bone. If the injury isn’t too bad, ice, rest, and over-the counter pain medicine may be enough. See your doctor if you can’t straighten your finger, have a fever, or you’re in great pain.

Three that can cause swollen fingers are:

• Herpetic whitlow: A herpes infection that causes small, swollen, bloody blisters on the fingers
• Paronychia: An infection in the nail base caused by bacteria or fungus
• Felon: A painful pus-filled infection in the fingertip

Finger infections can spread or other parts of the body if they’re not treated early.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) affects the lining of joints and causes swelling, pain, and stiffness. The symptoms often appear first in the hand joints. RA usually affects both hands

Psoriatic arthritis can affect people who have a skin condition called psoriasis. It often causes sausage-like swelling in fingers and toes. Both arthritis types are serious and can cause joint damage and other body problems without treatment.

This “rich man’s disease” largely used to afflict people who could afford lots of meat, seafood, and alcohol. Today, gout can hit people of all income levels. It causes extreme pain and swelling, usually in the big toe. But you can get it in any joint, including your fingers. It happens when too much uric acid in your blood forms crystals in the joint. Drugs can help ease the pain and prevent more attacks.

Some common culprits include:

• Over-the-counter pain pills like aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen
• Steroids
• Certain drugs for diabetes or high blood pressure
• Nerve pain drugs like gabapentin and pregabalin
• Hormonal therapies with estrogen or testosterone

Puffy fingers from medication usually isn’t a serious condition. But talk to your doctor if you’re worried.

Your kidneys get rid of waste and extra fluid from your body. One of the first signs that something is wrong is puffiness in your fingers, feet, and around your eyes. You’re more likely to get kidney disease if you have diabetes or high blood pressure. Control these problems to protect your kidneys or stop the disease from getting worse. If your kidneys don’t work well enough, you’ll need a transplant or dialysis.

You can expect swollen fingers, ankles, and feet when you’re expecting. But sudden swelling, especially in the hands and face, can be a sign of preeclampsia. That’s dangerously high blood pressure that can happen in the second half of pregnancy. Rarely, it comes after childbirth and is called postpartum preeclampsia. The problem affects the kidneys, triggering swelling. You may also have a bad headache, belly pain, and trouble seeing.

Normal red blood cells look like doughnuts and are flexible. When you have sickle cell disease, the cells are stiff and crescent-shaped. These get stuck in small blood vessels and block blood flow. In the hands and feet, this causes painful swelling. Other problems include infections, anemia, stroke, and blindness. Sickle cell is a lifelong condition. In the U.S., it’s most common in African-Americans.

This swelling happens when fluid in the lymph system can’t drain well. It’s sometimes a side effect of cancer treatment. Women with breast cancer often have lymph nodes in their armpits removed to check for cancer. This upsets the flow of lymph and can lead to swelling in the arms and hands. Radiation can damage nodes and make the problem worse. Lymphedema can happen any time after treatment. It can’t be cured, but it can be managed.

Raynaud’s Disease is a rare problem that affects blood vessels in your fingers and toes. It causes them to narrow when you’re cold or stressed. Lack of blood flow makes your digits frosty and painful. They may turn white or blue. When the vessels open up and blood returns, your fingers can throb and swell. In serious cases, lack of blood flow can cause sores or even kill tissue.

This is an immune system disease that tricks your body into making too much of a protein called collagen. This thickens and hardens skin and can affect other body parts too. Your hands may become stiff and your fingers may puff up like sausages. Some people have mild symptoms. In more serious cases, organs can be injured. Scleroderma does not go away but can be treated.

IMAGES PROVIDED BY:

1) Dr P. Marazzi / Science Source

2) SeventyFour / Getty Images

3) Du Cane Medical Imaging Ltd / Science Source

4) Dr P. Marazzi / Science Source

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6) Allan Harris / Medical Images

7) smartstock / Thinkstock

8) Evan Oto / Science Source

9) SPL / Science Source

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12) Southern Illinois University / Science Source

13) SPL / Science Source

14) St Bartholomew’s Hospital / Science Source

15) SPL / Science Source

SOURCES:

University of Pittsburgh Medical Center: “Why Our Bodies Swell: 12 Surprising Reasons.”

Cedrina Calder, MD, preventive medicine specialist, Nashville.

Alejandro Badia, MD, hand and upper extremity orthopedic surgeon, Badia Hand to Shoulder Center, Doral, FL.

Mayo Clinic: “Home Remedies: Just Jammed Your Finger?” “Gout,” “Trigger Finger,” Sickle Cell Anemia.”

National Health Service (UK): “Herpetic Whitlow,” “Overview: Trigger Finger.”

Kids Health: “Paronychia.”

Harvard Medical School: “Felon.”

UpToDate: “Patient education: Rheumatoid arthritis symptoms and diagnosis (Beyond the Basics).”

National Psoriasis Foundation: “About Psoriatic Arthritis.”

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke: “Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Fact Sheet”

American Academy of Family Physicians: “Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.”

National Kidney Foundation: “How Your Kidneys Work.”

American Kidney Fund: “Kidney Failure (ESRD): Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments.”

March of Dimes: “Preeclampsia.”

American Society of Hematology: “Blood Basics.”

MedlinePlus: “Raynaud’s Disease.”

Johns Hopkins Medicine: “Breast Cancer: Lymphedema after Treatment,” “Understanding Scleroderma,” “Types of Scleroderma. ”

Scleroderma Foundation: “Hands.”

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One swollen finger: Causes and treatment

Swelling in a single finger usually results from an injury or minor infection. It may also be a sign of arthritis, gout, or a benign growth.

This article discusses possible causes of one swollen finger. It also looks at treatment options and when to contact a doctor.

Breaking, dislocating, or spraining a finger can result in swelling.

If a person has sprained their finger, they will experience pain and stiffness alongside the swelling.

If a person has dislocated their finger, the finger may appear crooked. A dislocated finger may cause the following symptoms:

• pain
• swelling
• numbness
• difficulty moving the finger
• bruising and skin discoloration

It can be difficult for a person to know if the finger is sprained, broken, or dislocated. However, a person should see a medical professional as soon as possible if they notice the following symptoms:

• the finger points at an odd angle
• the finger appears blue or numb
• there is a cut and bone is visible
• there is a cut and bone is poking out of the finger

Treatment

If a finger appears to be broken or dislocated, it is important to get medical attention as soon as possible.

People should not try to move a dislocated finger back into the joint themselves, as this can cause further damage. A health professional can put the bone back in the joint and fit a splint or cast to keep it in position.

For complicated breaks, surgery may be the best option. A surgeon may insert small pins, screws, or rods into the finger to hold the fractured bones together while they heal.

For a mild sprain, rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE) techniques can help to reduce swelling and inflammation.

A person may also strap the finger to the one next to it to prevent bending and further injury. If the finger has swollen a lot, wait until the swelling subsides before taping it up.

Mallet finger, also known as baseball finger, describes an injury to the tendon at the end of the finger.

This tendon usually helps the finger to straighten. An injury to the top of the finger can cause the tendon to rupture, resulting in swelling, pain, and bruising.

A doctor will order X-rays to check the damage to the finger and use a splint to straighten the finger until it heals.

A range of infections can cause the finger to become swollen, painful, and hot.

An infection near the nail bed can cause swelling and tenderness. This is called paronychia.

The following may cause paronychia:

• nail biting
• splinters
• pushing cuticles back too far
• contact dermatitis or eczema

Insect bites or stings directly to the finger can cause swelling, pain, and inflammation around the site.

Occasionally stings or bites can develop into an infection if bacteria gets in.

Symptoms include tenderness, heat, and discharge or pus from the bite.

Erythema also occurs around the site of infection. On lighter skin, this appears as red. On darker skin, the surrounding area may look purple or burgundy.

Treatment

Bacterial infections typically require antibiotics.

A healthcare professional may also need to drain pus from the infected area with a small incision. Soaking the affected finger in warm, salted water may also help, along with pain relief medication, such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen.

It is best to get medical attention if swelling and erythema develop quickly after an insect bite or sting, as this can be a sign of an allergy rather than an infection.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), up to 90 people in the United States died because of allergic reactions to insect stings between 2000–2017.

There are a few benign, or noncancerous, hand tumors that can appear in the hands and fingers, causing swelling.

These include:

Enchondroma

This is a bone tumor that begins in the cartilage. It typically affects the long, small bones of the hands and feet.

It is the most common type of hand tumor. Enchondroma is most common in people between 10-20 years, though it can occur at any age.

Symptoms include:

• hand pain if the tumor is large
• enlargement of the finger
• slow bone growth

Ganglion cyst

This is a fluid-filled cyst that forms next to a joint or tendon. Although ganglion cysts typically appear on the back of the wrist, they can also develop at the base of the finger.

They can change in size, and although harmless, can cause pain or a dull ache.

If the cyst ruptures, the area may become swollen and sore for a few days.

Epidermal inclusion cyst

Epidermal inclusion cysts are fibrous cysts formed from keratin and dead skin cells. They present as flesh-colored, firm nodules.

They can occur anywhere on the body, including the fingers.

Giant cell tumor

This is a solid mass that typically forms next to a tendon.

According to a 2019 article, giant cell tumors in the hand are rare, making up only 2% of all hand tumors.

A giant cell tumor can resemble an enchondroma, which means doctors sometimes find it challenging to make a correct diagnosis.

The article notes that giant cell tumors on the hand grow quickly and have a high recurrence rate.

These tumors do not always cause swelling and inflammation but can cause localized pain and limited movement.

Treatment

Treatment will depend on the type of growth.

Enchondromas may require surgery or bone grafting. If there is no sign of growth or weakening of the bone, a healthcare professional may recommend watchful waiting.

Ganglion cysts do not typically require treatment. However, if it is large or causing discomfort, a healthcare professional may drain the cyst or surgically remove it.

Epidermal inclusion cysts and giant cell tumors require surgical intervention.

If a person notices a growth appearing, they should see a medical professional to get a correct diagnosis.

Gout is a common type of inflammatory arthritis that can cause pain and swelling in one joint at a time.

People with gout have high uric acid levels, causing crystals to build up in the body’s joints and tissues.

Symptoms include:

• intense pain
• swelling
• heat
• erythema

Treatment

A person can treat gout with a combination of medication and self-management strategies, such as:

• nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• steroids
• drugs to lower uric acid levels in the blood
• changes to diet and lifestyle

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an immune system disorder that attacks the joints, causing inflammation, swelling, and pain. It typically affects the hands, wrists, and feet.

Stiffness, tenderness, pain, or swelling in one or two fingers, often around the middle and the base of the fingers, can be early symptoms of RA.

Inflammation from RA can also cause an increase in joint fluid, making swelling worse.

Treatment

There is no cure for RA, but treatment can help reduce symptoms and prevent flare-ups.

Medication may include:

• disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs)
• biological response modifiers (biologicals)
• self-management strategies that help reduce pain and increase mobility.

Septic arthritis is an infection in the fluid and tissues around the joint that causes arthritis-like symptoms. It can occur due to injury, surgery, or bacteria traveling from another area of infection to the joints, such as a finger.

As well as joint pain and swelling, symptoms may also include a fever, erythema around the joint, and warmth.

According to Johns Hopkins, septic arthritis is more common in children than adults. It is also more common in people with other forms of arthritis, such as osteoarthritis and RA.

Without treatment, septic arthritis can result in permanent joint damage, so it is essential to get a diagnosis as soon as possible.

Treatment

A person’s age and general health may affect what treatment is available for septic arthritis. The severity of the infection may also affect treatment options.

It will usually include a combination of:

• antibiotics
• draining pus from the joint
• medication to relieve pain and fever
• a splint on the affected joint

Other very rare causes include:

• Osteoarticular tuberculosis (TB): According to a 2015 article, osteoarticular TB represents 5% of all cases of TB. A swollen finger is a rare symptom of TB.
• Reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD): A rare nervous system disorder that can cause swelling and burning pain in one joint, often in the finger.
• Sarcoidosis: An inflammatory condition that can cause a swollen finger.
• Malignant tumors: Malignant tumors in the hands and wrists can also cause swelling in the finger, though these are rare.

A person can treat some of the causes of a swollen finger at home.

However, people should seek medical advice as soon as possible if they suspect that the finger is broken or dislocated or if there is any sign of infection.

Many causes and health conditions can cause a single finger to swell, but most are not serious.

RICE techniques can help treat a swollen finger at home, though it may be necessary to see a healthcare professional for further tests and treatment.

There may be a more serious underlying cause for a swollen finger, and some people may require further medical treatment.

Pain in fingertips

Sore fingertips or toes. Causes

At times, doing routine chores, worries or relaxing, do you experience pain in your fingertips ? How to react if this pain recurs periodically? What do these painful moments indicate? What to do and how to deal with it?

The human hand has 14 joints that connect the phalanges of the fingers. Each joint is like a small hinge, which is actuated by the system of muscles of the forearm and the most complex system of tendons, which are located in the palm of your hand to the wrist joint. Therefore, hands must be handled with care, to prevent inflammation or damage to the joints, since such injuries can lead to the loss of the ability to move them.

Diseases that develop in the joints of the fingers can be extremely difficult to cure. And after successful courses of treatment, a residual phenomenon may appear – some kind of stiffness, discomfort or pain in the fingertips. In some cases, after injuries, they may appear on the appearance of the fingers – they may remain twisted or move incorrectly.

So, if the fingertips or middle phalanges swell, then this indicates the appearance in your life of a disease called deforming osteoarthritis. A similar disease manifests itself mainly in older people and manifests itself as “knots” on the fingers. Usually this disease does not cause much discomfort and is treated with a course of regular exercises for mobility and fine motor skills of the hands.

Causes of pain in the fingertips

Pain in the tips of the fingers should be locally divided into two camps – hands and feet – because the causes of pain in the tips of the toes and hands are different and indicate different diseases.

However, we can safely say that the causes of pain in the fingertips are not only a mechanical problem in the form of a bruise or other injury, but more often it is a manifestation of some kind of internal disease that is skillfully disguised.

Symptoms of pain in the fingertips

Symptoms of pain in the fingertips can be quite diverse. Temporary numbness of the phalanges of the fingers, burning or tingling may portend an impending pain wave. Also, with the possible imminent onset of pain in the fingertips, the usual skin color of the phalanges of the fingers may be disturbed. Aches in the joints or in places of previous fractures can also portend an early pain in the fingertips.

Depending on the disease, the fingers and the entire palm may swell. Also, a neglected disease may be indicated by a change in the shape of the joints, their bulging. In such a case, pain in the tips of the fingers, as well as in other phalanges, is inevitable.

Pain in fingertips

The causes of pain in the fingertips are extremely diverse and characterize more than a dozen different general diseases of the body, diseases of the joints and blood vessels.

Carpal tunnel syndrome, also known as carpal tunnel syndrome or stenosing ligamentitis of the transverse ligament of the wrist, which affects mainly women after 40 years, is manifested by numbness and burning in all fingers of the hand, except for the little finger. Pain and numbness begins in the bundles of the fingers, stretches to the base of the palm, but does not concentrate in the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe joints. Pain in the fingertips and on the surface of the palm may increase at night or in the morning. In the daytime, such pain is rarely observed. Visually, the shape of the joints and the fingers themselves does not change, however, some cyanosis may occur, or vice versa, the pallor of the entire hand, slight swelling of the tissues.

Inflammation in the joints of the fingers, which is accompanied by pain, swelling, redness and impaired motor ability, can signal arthritis. More often than others, rheumatoid arthritis occurs, which manifests itself in three or more small joints of the hand and lasts longer than three months. The symmetrical joints of the hands, that is, for example, the middle joints of the middle fingers of both hands, may be involved in the course of this disease. A certain stiffness of movement in the affected joints, which becomes less noticeable during the day, can tell about this disease. Such a disease, in the absence of the necessary and timely treatment, affects more and more joints of the hands over time, which makes it difficult to perform normal routine tasks.

Rheumatoid arthritis can be observed not only on the joints of the hands, but also on the ankle joints or on the joints of the toes. However, this type of arthritis does not occur in large joints such as the knee, hip, or shoulder. In addition to the joints, arthritis can also affect internal organs – the kidneys, lungs, vascular system, and others. Therefore, the treatment of this disease is extremely important.

Raynaud’s syndrome, or angiospastic peripheral crises, can be identified by cyanosis or blanching, as well as cold fingers, goosebumps under the skin, tingling or numbness of the phalanges. This disorder can occur several times a day and last for several minutes. Hypothermia or mental trauma can lead to it.

With diseases of the vessels of the hands, pain in the fingertips and along their entire length, convulsions, periodic numbness, and fatigue in the fingers can also be observed. In this case, blanching and cooling of the limbs are observed, the hairline thins, and the nail plates thicken. As the disease progresses, the lumen in the arteries of the upper extremities decreases, which leads to impaired blood flow. Pain in the fingers and hands becomes chronic, the hands get tired faster, the pulse is weakly palpable.

Pain in the fingertips can also occur with vibration disease, which occurs in persons working with hand-held power tools. Discomfort begins when there are periodic mild pain, numbness, tingling in the fingers. In the future, these symptoms intensify, become permanent and affect vascular tone. Vibration disease can lead to the development of vegetative-vascular dystonia and asthenia.

Pain and paresthesia in the ring finger and little finger, when squeezed, may indicate a manifestation of neuropathy of the ulnar nerve. This disease occurs when mechanical damage to the elbow or wrist joint. With the course of the disease, there may be difficulties with motor ability, muscle atrophy and the formation of a “clawed brush”.

If you have injured the cervical spine, then discomfort, numbness may appear in one of the hands, and the pain threshold may decrease. Usually, pain and numbness in this case is observed either in all fingers, or concentrates on the ring and little fingers.

If you dislocate your finger, then a sharp pain will appear in it, its position will be slightly wrong, the finger may look twisted, stick out of the joint. Most often, the dislocation of the finger is immobilized. Usually dislocations occur on the thumb (first) fingers.

Inflammation of the tissues of the fingertip, or panaritium, occurs in the body due to the development of an infection introduced during a manicure or when abrasions occur in the periungual space. The pain is jerking, increasing gradually. The injured limb is reddened, often swollen and sore. Sometimes the body temperature rises. In such cases, consult a surgeon so as not to bring yourself to blood poisoning.

With polycythemia – a quantitative increase in red blood cells – numbness and periodic pain in the fingertips can also be observed in conjunction with headache, itching, and insomnia. Microcirculation is disturbed in the body.

Also, unpleasant numbness, chilliness, “creeping goosebumps” and other symptoms may indicate the development of cervical osteochondrosis. At night, such pains intensify, the mobility of the damaged area of ​​the spine decreases.

Often, pain in the fingertips is observed with gout, rheumatism, scapular-shoulder periarthritis and other diseases.

Pain in the tips of the toes

Pain in the tips of the toes may occur in fewer cases. Most of the painful moments are signs of physiological and mechanical damage.

Arthritis is characterized by a special inflammatory rhythm of pain, which falls at 3-4 o’clock in the morning. It is worth noting that different forms of arthritis affect different toes. So, pain in the big toe indicates gout, reactive or psoriatic arthritis. The rest of the toes will tell about rheumatoid arthritis, less often about psoriatic.

Arthrosis, popularly referred to as gout, although it has nothing to do with it, strikes, as it was written earlier, it is the big toe in women. With arthrosis, the thumb strongly leans against the second finger, the joint begins to bulge strongly to the side, and the resulting tubercle is often rubbed with shoes. The joint is deformed, becomes almost immobile. Long-term wearing of shoes with a narrow toe leads to such a disease. With further deformation of the joint, the remaining toes of the foot can be pushed to the side. treated with therapeutic methods.

Also, women have a disease of Morton’s neuroma. In this case, the pain begins at the base of the toes, the nerve is pinched. Most often, it develops into a chronic form, the nerve thickens and acquires greater sensitivity and soreness. Pain at the base of the second, third and fourth toes.

Numbness in the feet and toes in particular may indicate diabetes. In this case, especially at night, a burning sensation appears, which is explained by the increased activity of nerve endings.

Paleness in the skin of the toes, as well as pain during exercise, can indicate problems associated with blood vessels, and especially the arteries of the legs. Insufficient amounts of oxygen and nutrients enter the tissues of the legs, therefore the legs begin to hurt, the hair on them thins, the skin and nails deteriorate, and increased sensitivity to cold occurs.

If your toe is very sore, red, or swollen, you most likely have an ingrown toenail. Similar cases occur with poor-quality pedicure or when walking in uncomfortable shoes.

When the skin on the feet becomes rough, thickened, this can also cause pain in the toes. Hardened and dead cells are usually located on the heels and on the balls of the feet, causing pain when pressure is applied to them.

Diagnosis of fingertip pain

To establish the necessary treatment, it is necessary to diagnose pain in the fingertips.

So, with traumatic pain in the fingertips, hematomas or abrasions are usually visible, which are visible during examination.

When infectious diseases with inflammatory reactions appear, several signs can be observed. The skin may become edematous, pus may occasionally be released. With advanced suppuration, tissue necrosis, inflammation of the tendon sheath, or osteomyelitis of the fingertip may begin. With inflammation of the tendon sheath, the same swelling, hyperemia and sharp pain on palpation are observed.

Neoplastic pain can be identified by palpation or by inspection, which shows purplish-red spots. They indicate the appearance of glomus tumors.

Degenerative pains are called pains in rheumatoid arthritis, which are characterized by a change in the shape of the fingertips, the joints are deformed, abnormal interflank joints are observed, and the muscles of the hand atrophy.

If the pain in the fingers is characterized as vascular, then they can manifest themselves in two cases. If frostbite has occurred on the dorsal or lateral surfaces of the fingers, then characteristic blue-red skin, swelling will be observed. Blisters or sores with a crust may appear.

When diagnosing diseases of small vessels, pallor of the extremities, cyanosis or gangrene is observed, ulcers may appear, and the pads may atrophy. To check, check the heart rhythm.

Metabolic pain in the finger caused by gout can be determined by the condition of the skin around the joint – it becomes tense, reddened, shiny. The diagnosis can be confirmed by feeling gouty nodes near the joint.

With scleroderma, which speaks of the autoimmune nature of pain, the skin of the hands becomes waxy, fairly pale, thickened. The fingers feel swollen and the pads may lose sensation. When diagnosing scleroderma, pay attention to the patient’s face – the skin of the face also looks like wax, a lot of wrinkles accumulate near the mouth. The patient may appear to be quite emaciated.

If you suspect that the pain in the fingertips is radiating, check the sensitivity of the fingers, reflexes on the upper limbs, the volume and nature of movements in the cervical vertebrae.

Fingertip pain treatment

To prevent the pain in the fingertips from recurring, avoid movements that can provoke or aggravate them. To improve the condition of blood vessels and joints, stretch, bend your arms and fingers, do simple exercises for squeezing / unclenching your hands, come up with a set of exercises for yourself.

When determining the type of pain, ibuprofen can be prescribed as an anti-inflammatory drug, with dystrophic lesions, treatment is initially directed to the restoration of cartilage in the joint, for which chondroprotectors are prescribed, and massage is also recommended. If the pain in the joint is unbearable, injections, ointments or tablets are prescribed.

Chondroprotectors (these include glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate) are the most effective group of drugs that are prescribed in the treatment of arthrosis. They not only eliminate the symptoms of pain, but also directly affect the restoration of the cartilage tissue of the affected joint, promote the release of fluid that lubricates the joint.

Chonroprotectors, with their complex effect on the joints, are indispensable in the fight against arthrosis, but their effectiveness is significantly reduced when the disease passes to the last stage, when the joint is destroyed. The thing is that they can cure the pain in the fingertips or restore the properties of the fluid that lubricates the joint, but it is impossible to build a new joint or return the correct shape to deformed bones with the help of the drug.

Chondroprotectors are effective in combating pain in the fingertips and disorders in the joints, however, to achieve the effect, you need to go through 2-3 full courses of treatment. These courses can take up to a year and a half.

At the moment, chondroprotectors on the drug market are represented by the following drugs:

• Artra – country of origin USA, tablet form, taken 2 tablets per day;
• Dona – country of origin Italy, forms: injection, powder or capsule; course of treatment – 3 injections per week, or 1 sachet of powder per day, or 4-6 capsules per day;
• Structum – country of origin France, capsule form, taken 4 tablets of 250 mg or 2 tablets of 500 mg per day;
• Teraflex – UK manufacturer, capsule form, taken 2 tablets per day;
• Chondroitin AKOS – country of origin Russia, capsule form, at least 4 tablets are taken per day;
• Hondrolon – country of origin Russia, injectable form, course of 20-25 injections;
• Elbona – country of origin Russia, injectable form, the course involves 3 intramuscular injections per week.

In medical practice, Dona is most often prescribed in injectable form.

Chondroprotectors have practically no contraindications in the treatment of pain in the fingertips and joint problems. Of the side effects, in extremely rare cases, allergic reactions, abdominal pain, bloating, constipation or diarrhea are observed, and in isolated cases – headaches, pain or swelling of the legs, drowsiness, insomnia or tachycardia.

The most acceptable course of treatment with chondroprotectors is 3-5 months with daily intake. The course must be repeated every six months.

Salicylates (similar to diclofenac), paracetamol or indomethacin are prescribed as anesthetics and anti-inflammatory drugs that complement the treatment of pain in the fingertips and joints. Local remedies have a good analgesic effect – ointments, which include novocaine, anestezin or menthol-based ointments.

Diclofenac – tablet form, taken at the initial stage – 100-150 mg / day, divided into several doses.

Indomethacin – tablet, capsule, injection, suppository form. The daily dose is up to 100-150 mg, divided into 3-4 doses. The course of treatment for pain in the fingertips and in the joints must be completed completely, otherwise there is a possibility of renewal of the disease.

To relieve acute attacks of gout, 0.05 g is prescribed three times a day. For the treatment of acute conditions or exacerbation of a chronic process, 1-2 times a day, 60 mg is administered intramuscularly for 7-14 days, or 1 suppository twice a day.

As for corticosteroids, they are prescribed for the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome – compression of the median nerve inside the carpal tunnel.

The symptoms of carpal syndrome are relieved with 1-2 injections of low-dose cortisone given in the area of ​​the wrist. This treatment has no side effects.

If the disease is advanced, then surgery is needed to treat carpal tunnel syndrome and fingertip pain. During the operation, both in the form of open access using local anesthesia, and in the case of microinvasive access, the task of physicians is to reduce compression of the median nerve. The transverse carpal ligament is cut to help open the carpal tunnel.

For the treatment of fingertip pain in gouty arthritis, indomethacin, naproxen, phenylbutazone, and feniprofen, as described above, are most commonly prescribed.

Doses of indomethacin are reduced with each dose: the first dose – 75 mg, the next day – 50 mg every 6 hours, then the day – 50 mg every 8 hours, subsequent treatment – 25 mg every 8 hours.

Side effects of this medication include disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, symptoms of disorders of the central nervous system, sodium retention in the body. Despite the various side effects of the drug, observed in 60% of cases, indomethacin is preferable to colchicine. Also, in acute attacks of gout, an effective drug is systemic or local injection of glucocorticoids into the joint. Usually, moderate doses of glucocorticoids are prescribed for the treatment of pain in the fingertips and joint pain for several days, since the concentration of the drug in the body decreases sharply and the effect weakens. Intra-articular injections of the drug help to stop attacks of bursitis or monoarthritis for a day and a half. Such treatment is mainly prescribed when it is impossible to complete the full course of treatment.

For the treatment of pain in the fingertips and joints, you can also use folk remedies:

• Caucasian hellebore as part of an ointment. To prepare the ointment, you need to mix 20 g of dry hellebore, 20 g of honey, 10 g of vegetable oil and 5 g of dry mustard. Melt all the ingredients in a water bath and mix until smooth. Transfer to a dark vessel and cool. To relieve pain, lubricate the joints at night;
• using fruit vinegar, compress painful joints;
• mix a small amount of propolis with sunflower or corn oil. Apply as an ointment;
• cut the burdock leaves and pack them tightly in a jar, leave on the window, in which the sun constantly shines. When the leaves turn into a foul-smelling slurry and become covered with mold, apply them as a compress to the joints. Burdock leaves can also be wrapped around the joints at night;
• 100 g of camphor oil, 100 g of dry mustard, 2 proteins from fresh chicken eggs, beat until a homogeneous foamy mass, pour into a jar, close tightly with a lid and put in a dark place. Rub the joints with this mixture and make compresses, covering with cellophane and something warm on top for a warming effect;
• cut off the sponge from the branches of the bodyagi, rinse and dry, heat in the oven and grind into powder. Rub the powder with a drop of vegetable oil on the painful area. You may experience a slight burning sensation in the smeared area;
• grind the Kalanchoe flower through a meat grinder, add 1 liter of vodka to 0.5 liters of gruel. Insist from 3 to 5 days, rub into the joints. Also, an effective remedy, crushed through a meat grinder, mix Kalanchoe with grated chalk to a thick mixture and apply it as a compress, wrapping it with cellophane and something warm;
• you need to rub the diseased joints with natural fat – after the bath, rub natural pork fat into the joint that hurts. The procedure should be repeated for several months;
• 1 glass of sticky birch buds insist on 0.5 liters of alcohol or moonshine for 2 weeks in a dark place, shaking occasionally. Then rub the infusion on the joints that hurt.

How to prevent pain in the fingertips

• Remember that it is better not to neglect your own health than to diligently treat it later.
• The first rule for the prevention of fingertip pain is to avoid alcohol, nicotine, large amounts of spicy, spicy and salty foods.
• Eat more fresh fruits, vegetables, avoid fried foods, prefer steamed or boiled foods.
• Don’t freeze. Do a warm-up during work, do not let the blood stagnate.
• Wear comfortable shoes that fit and fit you.
• Do medical manicure or wound treatment only with sterile instruments.

Prevention of pain in the fingertips is extremely important, as it prevents the occurrence of dangerous diseases and hardens your organs and limbs.

Blue fingers – causes and signs, treatment and diagnosis

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Blue fingers is a fairly common complaint that is presented by both elderly and young patients. More than half of patients do not consider this symptom a serious reason for contacting a specialist and self-medicate. As a rule, this approach is not only ineffective, but also leads to aggravation of the condition – complications develop. Despite the fact that the efficiency decreases sharply, many still ignore the current situation, which subsequently leads to complete immobilization.

The Yusupov Hospital is the best medical institution in Moscow, which provides qualified assistance at a high level at any time of the day or night. Specialists of the Yusupov hospital insist on mandatory preventive examinations, adequate treatment of acute conditions and prevention of chronic exacerbations. The causes of blue fingers are quite often neglected chronic diseases. The doctors of the Yusupov hospital have the knowledge and all the necessary equipment to determine the cause that led to the onset of this symptom. An appointment with a specialist at the Yusupov Hospital is carried out by phone or online.

Causes

Causes of blue fingers are quite diverse, but the most common is a traumatic lesion. An injury can be of any origin – both industrial and domestic, or sports, etc. A strong blow is characterized by pain, damage to soft tissues, rupture of tendons, a joint may be damaged, or, as is often the case, a fracture of bone structures occurs.

An injured finger swells almost immediately and the color of the skin changes. X-ray examination of the bruised limb allows you to assess the condition of the bones. A traumatologist without fail examines the victim, if necessary, prescribes diagnostic tests and treatment.

If the cause of blue fingers is not a traumatic injury, then it is imperative to consult a doctor to exclude life-threatening conditions and to select effective therapy.

Diseases of the vessels and heart muscle are very often accompanied by the appearance of this symptom. Blue fingers can be a symptom of diseases such as Raynaud’s disease, Buerger’s disease, cryoglobulinemia and lack of or inadequate treatment can lead to aggravation of the condition and even to amputation.

In the case when the blue fingers are accompanied by itching, redness and swelling, it is necessary to exclude an allergic reaction.

Careful medical history can also help to determine the cause – a manicure done the day before, abrasions, minor finger wounds, etc. can serve as a site of infection and, as a result, the finger changes its color.

Blue fingers are associated with serious diseases such as vasculitis, scleroderma, systemic lupus erythematosus, etc. Fingers may become bluish due to exposure to low temperatures.

In any case, in order to protect yourself and prevent complications, you need to go to a good medical institution with the best specialists, such as the Yusupov Hospital. Each patient of the hospital is provided with both highly qualified assistance and proper care.