Thankfully, numerous remedies can help alleviate the discomfort from arthritis of the fingers, from hand exercises to help strengthen your fingers to over-the-counter and prescription pain medications and surgical treatments.
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Symptoms
With arthritis, the fingers can become swollen due to the inflamed synovial membrane. The three most common sites where osteoarthritis happens in the hand include:
- The trapeziometacarpal or basilar joint: The base of the thumb
- The distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint: The joint closest to the fingertip
- The proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint: The middle joint of a finger
Symptoms caused by arthritis of the fingers include:
- Joint pain
- Swelling
- Stiffness, especially in the morning
- Tenderness
People with RA can also experience warmth and redness in the hands in addition to the symptoms listed above. RA also often affects both hands and is symmetric in nature, while OA typically affects the dominant hand only and is asymmetric in regards to joints affected, even if it is in both hands. Those with RA tend to have prolonged periods of morning stiffness compared with people with OA.
Exercises
The muscles supporting the joint of your hand can be strengthened, and hand exercises can help with that. Exercise increases blood flow to cartilage, bringing it the nutrients it needs to stay healthy and prevent further breakdown. Also, the stronger your muscles are, the more weight they can handle. The bones in your joints carry less weight, as a result, and your damaged cartilage is better protected.
The following exercises are easy to perform and can help with your arthritis pain.
Besides exercises, you can also use a variety of oral and topical over-the-counter (OTC) medications to cope with pain from arthritis of the fingers.
Oral Anti-Inflammatory
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are recommended to treat arthritis symptoms because of their pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory qualities. NSAIDs can't slow the progression of arthritis, but it can help treat pain and inflammation. You can purchase a number of NSAIDs over the counter, but some are only available as prescriptions.
Most NSAIDs work by inhibiting COX-1 and COX-2, enzymes that play a crucial role in the production of prostaglandins, which promote pain and inflammation. When fewer prostaglandins are present, less inflammation, pain, and swelling are experienced.
OTC NSAIDs commonly used to treat arthritis pain include:
- Aspirin
- Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)
- Naproxen sodium (Aleve)
Finger pain and general discomfort are due to inflammation, and research has identified EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) as helpful in reducing inflammation levels. This, in turn, can reduce swelling and the discomfort associated with arthritis of the fingers. EPA and DHA are omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. They are found in fish and aid the body in critical development and functional needs.
Another supplement that can potentially help with arthritis pain is ginger. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial to assess the impact of supplementing ginger for RA symptoms, disease activity and gene expression were measured in 70 participants. The study found that ginger supplementation could improve RA symptoms.
Heat/Cold Treatment
Hot and cold therapy can also help to alleviate discomfort. Heat therapy can aid in relaxing discomfort from muscle tension and reduce pain sensitivity, whereas cold therapy can address inflammation and swelling.
For heat, soak in a warm bath, hot tub, or whirlpool for about 20 minutes or take a warm shower.
Dress warmly afterwards to prolong the benefit. A heating pad is another good way to warm up an area. You can also buy moist heat pads, or heat a damp washcloth in the microwave for about 20 seconds. Test it to make sure it’s not too hot, then wrap it in a dry towel and apply it to the painful area.
For cold therapy, use an ice pack and apply for 20 minutes at a time. Keep several gel-filled cold packs in the freezer. Frozen peas or ice cubes in a bag can also work.
Splints
Splinting can help with both OA and RA pain in the fingers. It has been shown to reduce pain and improve joint mobility. Resting hand splints, in particular, have been identified as an option that offers significant pain relief for the elderly with OA of the thumb without any side effects.
Compression gloves may also assist in pain relief. In a systematic review, four trials were evaluated to determine the efficacy of wearing full-length finger compression gloves at night. The studies compared full-length finger compression gloves with placebo gloves that did not provide full-length compression. For patients with RA, swelling of the finger joints was significantly reduced with the use of the compression gloves. However, the study did not find a reduction in pain or stiffness, and produced inconclusive results regarding grip strength and dexterity.
Prescription Treatments
If the above remedies are insufficient to alleviate your pain, your doctor may prescribe medications to help you cope with your arthritis symptoms.
Medication
Corticosteroids, also referred to as steroids, such as prednisone and methylprednisolone are often prescribed to reduce inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis. These medications can be administered orally, intravenously, or intramuscularly.
Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) are the main prescription drugs for the treatment of RA. They work by blocking inflammation and thereby slowing disease progression. Methotrexate is a common DMARD used to treat RA. There are a few different types of DMARDs, and they all work differently:
DMARDs are used for chronic therapy, while corticosteroids are only used short-term for flares given their multiple associated side effects.
Cortisone Injections
Cortisone is a synthetic corticosteroid hormone that suppresses the immune system, which helps reduce inflammation and pain. Cortisone injections are used to relieve inflammation in both OA and RA. They are injected directly into an affected joint. These shots may work immediately or after a few days. The relief from these injections can last a few months to a year. It's important to remember that cortisone injections are used as part of a treatment plan.
Hand Therapy
A certified hand therapist (CHT) is an occupational therapist or a physical therapist who specializes in treating people with conditions that affect the hand, wrist, and other upper extremities. Examples of hand therapy are alphabet writing and grip strengthening. CHTs must have at least three years of experience, 4,000 hours of training, and recertify every five years by taking an exam.
The hand therapist effectively provides postoperative rehabilitation, non-operative or conservative intervention, preventive care, and industrial ergonomic consultation.
They can help people who have arthritis with:
- Activity or exercise regimes custom designed to increase motion, dexterity, and strength, with the ultimate goal of improving function
- Adaptive techniques and suggestions for adaptive/assistive devices and equipment
- Joint protection and energy conservation training
- Acute or chronic pain management
As arthritis progresses, joints may become deformed. When medications and home remedies cannot provide adequate relief for the pain and discomfort of finger arthritis, your doctor may recommend surgical treatments.
Joint Fusion
The goal of a joint fusion, also called arthrodesis, is to fuse the joints together to facilitate bone growth. Finger joint fusion can help relieve the pain in the finger joints caused by arthritis. The surgeon makes a cut in the skin and removes the damaged joint from the finger. Then they insert a rod made of plastic or metal to hold the finger bones together. The ligament is wrapped around the new connection and sewn back up. Your hand may be put into a cast to keep it from moving while the finger heals. You may also get a sling to help your arm stay in place while the nerve block wears off.
Bone Spur Removal
Bone spurs, also known as osteophytes, are small bony growths. If they cause significant discomfort in the fingers, your doctor may recommend surgery to remove them. Your doctor will make one or more small cuts near the bone spur. Then they will use small tools to remove the piece of bone. Bone spur removal can help reduce pain.
Joint Replacement
The surface of the damaged joint in the finger is removed and replaced with an artificial implant during finger joint replacement surgery, also known as arthroplasty. During this procedure, an artificial implant is placed in the bone's hollow centre. Joint replacement is not recommended for all patients.
One problem is that hinged finger implants don't fully replicate normal finger motion.16 Most are made from silicone rubber, which is flexible but breaks and slips easily. Some studies have found that some silicone implants fail within 10 years, making them a poor choice for younger patients.
A Word From Verywell
Both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis can affect the hands. Be sure to consult your healthcare provider for an accurate diagnosis. Not all treatments listed above will be right for everyone with finger arthritis. Work with your healthcare provider to determine the optimal treatment plan to reduce the symptoms associated with your condition. Although it can be frustrating when treatments don't work or aren't effective immediately, there are many options for you to choose from. Chances are one of them will bring you relief.
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