Finger Joint Arthritis

The main symptoms of finger joint osteoarthritis are pain and stiffness in your fingers. Symptoms are often worse in the morning or after rest and improve as you use your hands. 

Osteoarthritis most commonly affects the base of your thumb, the joints closest to your fingertips and the middle joints of your fingers.

Symptoms of finger joint osteoarthritis may include:

• pain and tenderness around your finger joints 

• a grating or crackling sensation in your joints

• hardened, enlarged bumps around your joints (nodes) 

• stiffness and difficulty moving your fingers

• decreased grip strength

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative condition caused by wear and tear on your joints over time. It’s particularly common in the joints you use a lot, such as those in your fingers. 

You may be more likely to develop finger joint arthritis if you: 

• are female

• have a family history of osteoarthritis 

• have previously injured your finger joint 

• have chronic joint disease such as rheumatoid arthritis 

• have a job or a hobby that involves repetitive use of your fingers over a long period of time

At your first Welbeck consultation, you’ll be seen by a consultant orthopaedic surgeon, who will ask you about your symptoms, general health, family and medical history, and any medications you take regularly. They’ll also perform a physical examination of your affected joints. 

You may need to have tests, such as an X-ray or blood test, to confirm your diagnosis and rule out another condition, such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, or gout, that could be causing your symptoms.

It isn’t always possible to prevent finger joint arthritis, but you can reduce your risk of developing the disease by:

• maintaining a healthy weight

• following a healthy, anti-inflammatory diet such as the Mediterranean diet 

• not smoking

• exercising regularly 

• taking steps to reduce the risk of hand and finger injuries 

• limiting or avoiding activities that involve repetitive strain on your fingers, or using ergonomic devices to reduce strain on your joints

Finger joint arthritis is usually treatable and not serious, but untreated finger joint arthritis can lead to long-term complications, including:

• long-term pain and stiffness

• reduced hand function, poor grip strength, and weakness leading to difficulty with everyday tasks

• joint deformities such as crooked or bent fingers, and the development of bony lumps called nodes 

• tendon damage

• reduced hand function, poor grip strength, and weakness leading to difficulty with everyday tasks

There are several treatment options available for finger joint arthritis, including conservative (nonsurgical) measures and surgery. 

Your consultant will recommend the most appropriate treatment for you depending on the severity of your condition and other factors such as your age, general health and any treatments you have tried previously. 

Non-surgical treatments are normally tried first, and surgery is usually only considered when other methods haven't worked to relieve your symptoms. 

Nonsurgical treatments for finger joint arthritis include: 

• medication such as anti-inflammatories and painkillers 

• assistive devices to help with daily tasks 

• limiting or avoiding activities that cause pain 

• steroid injections to reduce inflammation in your joint 

• physiotherapy or hand therapy 

Surgical treatments for finger joint arthritis include:

• joint fusion – your finger bones are fused together to reduce pain 

• joint replacement – your diseased joint is removed and replaced with an artificial one

At Welbeck, our orthopaedic surgeons are experts in their field and are dedicated to providing world-class care to every patient.

With access to colleagues across other specialities, our consultants are also able to refer within the Welbeck ecosystem if required to ensure you receive the treatment you need as quickly as possible, all under one roof.  

All appointments, testing, treatment, and follow-up appointments take place within our state-of-the-art facilities, enabling us to deliver accurate diagnostics and advanced treatments.

Your health is important to us, so we strive to offer same-day appointments whenever possible.

Our consultants are recognised by the major health insurance companies. If you have private health insurance, your treatment at Welbeck can begin once you have obtained authorisation. We also provide care to self-paying patients. Learn more about the different payment options at Welbeck.

Get in touch today to book an appointment.