What it is
Osteoarthritis often affects the small joints of the fingers. Bony knobs can form at the joints, and the hands can ache, stiffen, and feel weaker. It tends to run in families and is more common in women around and after menopause.
Common symptoms
- Aching or stiffness in the finger joints
- Bony swelling or knobs at the joints
- A weaker grip, or difficulty with fine tasks
- Flares of redness and tenderness in a joint
What can help
- Hand exercises to keep the joints moving and the hands strong
- Topical anti-inflammatory gels, which suit the hands well
- Warmth, and pacing activities through the day
- Occupational therapy for joint protection and useful aids
- A splint for a specific painful joint
Where an injection fits
Most finger-joint osteoarthritis is managed without injections. For a single very painful joint, a small corticosteroid injection is sometimes considered, but the mainstays are exercise, topical treatment, and hand therapy. The thumb base is a special case, covered separately.
!When to seek urgent care. See a doctor promptly if you notice a hot, red, swollen joint with fever; rapidly worsening pain, swelling, or deformity; many joints affected with long morning stiffness, which may point to inflammatory arthritis rather than osteoarthritis.
This is general information, not medical advice. Your assessment and plan depend on your own situation, and your clinician will guide you.
