Joint pain in fingers, hands, and wrists can leave you feeling helpless and unable to figure out why it’s happening and how to fix it. If you’ve ever twisted an ankle or hurt your finger you know that crepe bandages are your best friend when it comes to healing from muscle sprains or joint pain. You always wonder how Long Should I wear Crepe bandage, you have to wear it only for the first 24 to 48 hrs after sustaining an injury. Consistently painful hands can turn your life upside down but know there are different causes for this pain that stem from different issues.
Arthritis is one of them, but it is not the only one. Knowing all the conditions that cause this type of problem, you can seek the proper treatment to alleviate the pain.
Keep reading to learn more about arthritis, other conditions that mimic it, and how to differentiate between the two.
Is Joint Pain in Fingers Always Arthritis?
Arthritis is a general term for a group of over 100 diseases that cause pain, stiffness, and swelling in the joints. The most common form of arthritis, osteoarthritis, affects over 27 million Americans. This type of arthritis is caused by the breakdown of cartilage, which is the tissue that cushions the joints.
However, arthritis is not always the reason for joint pain in fingers. Below are some common reasons and different types of joint pain you can feel in your fingers.
Psoriatic Arthritis
Psoriatic arthritis is chronic, inflammatory arthritis that occurs in people with the skin condition psoriasis. It usually is joint pain in fingers and toes but can also affect the joints of the spine, knees, ankles, and elbows. Symptoms of psoriatic arthritis include pain, swelling, and stiffness of the joints, as well as fatigue and morning stiffness.
Treatment of psoriatic arthritis often includes the use of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), such as methotrexate, and biologic agents, such as adalimumab.
Joint Inflammation
Joint inflammation can refer to any type of inflammation of the joints. However, the term is most often used to refer to inflammation of the joints caused by a disease. The most common symptoms of joint inflammation include stiffness, decreased range of motion, swelling, and joint pain in the fingers.
If the inflammation is severe, it can also lead to joint damage and deformity. Joint inflammation is treated with a variety of methods, depending on the underlying cause. These methods can include medication, physical therapy, and surgery.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is a type of arthritis that affects the bones and joints. The main symptom of osteoarthritis is pain in the joints. Other symptoms include stiffness, swelling, and reduced range of motion.
Osteoarthritis can affect any joint in the body, but it most commonly affects the hands, knees, and hips. The exact cause of osteoarthritis is unknown, but it is thought to be due to a combination of genetic and environmental factors. There is no cure for osteoarthritis, but treatments can help to relieve the pain and improve joint function.
Rheumatism
Rheumatism is a general term for conditions that cause pain, stiffness, and swelling in the joints and muscles. These conditions can be caused by different types of injuries, diseases, or inflammation. Symptoms of rheumatism may include pain, redness, warmth, and swelling in the affected area.
The symptoms may come and go, or they may be constant. Rheumatism can be treated with medication, physical therapy, and lifestyle changes.
How to Care for Your Joints
There are many things you can do to keep your joints healthy and strong. Whether it is joint pain in fingers or anywhere in your body, first, eat a healthy diet that includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Exercise regularly to maintain joint flexibility and strength.
Lastly, see your doctor regularly for checkups and to report any joint pain or stiffness.
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