Osteoarthritis of the fingers can cause painful, stiff or swollen joints and make everyday activities involving the hands uncomfortable.

Many people have visible signs of finger osteoarthritis without significant pain. When an individual joint becomes persistently painful or inflamed, however, treatment may be helpful.
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What is Finger Joint Osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis involves changes to the cartilage and other structures within a joint.

In the fingers it commonly affects the small joints towards the ends of the fingers, although other hand joints can also be affected.

The joints can gradually become larger, stiffer or more irregular in shape.

Clinical symptoms include:​

Finger osteoarthritis can cause:

• Joint pain

• Stiffness

• Swelling

• Tenderness

• Reduced movement

• Bony enlargement around a joint

• Difficulty gripping or using the hand

• Episodes where a joint becomes particularly painful or inflamed

The appearance of a joint does not necessarily reflect how painful it will be. Some noticeably arthritic finger joints cause very few symptoms.

 

Do all painful finger joints need an injection?

No.

 

Before recommending an injection, we assess whether the joint itself is likely to be responsible for your symptoms and whether corticosteroid is an appropriate treatment. Not every painful or swollen finger joint is caused by osteoarthritis. Other causes may require different investigation or management.

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Treatment

For an appropriately selected painful arthritic joint, a corticosteroid injection may reduce inflammation and provide temporary pain relief.

 

The response varies and an injection cannot repair worn cartilage or cure osteoarthritis. Because finger joints are small, accurate assessment and placement of the injection are particularly important. Ultrasound guidance may be used where clinically indicated.

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Medical Resource: 

For further clinical guidelines on Finger Joint Osteoarthritis, view the official NHS Finger Joint Osteoarthritis Resource

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