Reason For Joint Pain In Fingers
Overview – Finger joint pain can be caused by various reasons including injury or infection, arthritis of the hand, carpal tunnel syndrome, and more. Finger joint pain makes it difficult for anyone to perform daily life tasks. The hand is composed of different bones, muscles, and ligament that helps with movement and agility.
Contents
- 1 What causes joint pain in the fingers?
- 2 What causes finger joint pain besides arthritis?
- 3 Does finger arthritis go away?
- 4 What vitamins are good for arthritis in the hands?
- 5 When should I be worried about finger joint pain?
- 6 Can uric acid cause finger joint pain?
- 7 Does finger arthritis come on suddenly?
- 8 Does lack of vitamin D cause joint pain?
What causes joint pain in the fingers?
Arthritis – One of the most common causes of finger joint pain is arthritis, It is mainly of two types – Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) and Osteo Arthritis (OA). Both are treatable but require medical help.
What causes finger joint pain besides arthritis?
To Sum Things Up – Finger and hand pain can be caused by arthritis, but it is important to remember that arthritis is not the only cause of finger and hand pain. Conditions such as carpal tunnel, trigger finger, ganglion cysts, and autoimmune diseases can also be causes of the pain experienced in your hands and fingers and are often underpinned by strenuous and repetitive actions.
What vitamin deficiency causes finger joint pain?
Get some sunlight – Sun exposure is the second significant source of vitamin D, Ultraviolet (UV) light starts a chemical reaction in the skin that produces a usable form of vitamin D. How much vitamin D your body produces changes with the environment and how well your skin absorbs vitamin D.
Those with darker skin need more sun exposure. The right dose of sunshine for getting vitamin D is hard to estimate. However, depending on skin color and how well you absorb vitamin D, aim for about 5 to 30 minutes of exposure between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. at least twice per week. The exposure should be to your face, arms, legs, or back, without sunscreen.
Sunscreens with an SPF of 8 or higher block vitamin D-producing UV rays. For some people, a supplement may be needed regardless of the amount of time in the sun. Talk to your healthcare provider about your vitamin D levels. If you work at an office job or live in an area that doesn’t have a lot of sun, consider purchasing a vitamin D lamp.
It’s very rare to get too much vitamin D. But overdose can potentially be very serious. Vitamin D toxicity is most likely to be caused by taking too many supplements. Taking 60,000 IU per day of vitamin D for several months can cause vitamin D toxicity, This is about 100 times the typical adult recommended dietary allowance of 600 IU.
People who have certain health problems may need less vitamin D than the average person and be more susceptible to excess levels. Your body regulates the amount of vitamin D it gets from sunlight and food. It’s difficult to get too much vitamin D from the sun.
Too much time in the sun interferes with your body creating vitamin D. The biggest risk of sun exposure is skin cancer, You should wear sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 before going outside into the sun. Sunscreen should be reapplied every 2 hours. Vitamin D toxicity can lead to a buildup of calcium in your blood.
This is a condition known as hypercalcemia, The symptoms include:
poor appetitenauseavomitingweaknessfrequent urinationkidney problems
The primary treatment is to reduce or discontinue use of vitamin D supplements. In extreme cases, intravenous fluids or medications may be necessary. People who have low levels of vitamin D often have joint pain. Vitamin D supplements may treat joint pain in some people who have a vitamin D deficiency.
Does finger arthritis go away?
Treatments for Hand OA – Osteoarthritis is a chronic disease. There is no cure, but healthy lifestyle habits and treatments can help manage your symptoms and keep you active.
Non-Drug Treatments: Reducing strain on joints with a splint or brace, adapting hand movements, doing hand exercises or using hot or cold therapy can help to ease pain. Drug Treatments: Medicines to ease OA symptoms are available as pills, syrups, creams or lotions, or they are injected into a joint. They include pain relievers like acetaminophen, counterirritants like capsaicin or menthol and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and corticosteroids. Surgical Treatments: If medications or self-care activities fails to give relief, surgery may be an option. An orthopaedic surgeon can remove the damaged cartilage and fuse bones together or replace the damaged joint with a plastic, ceramic or metal implant.
What vitamins are good for arthritis in the hands?
Learn which supplements and vitamins might help with arthritis symptoms, and what risks some can pose. Several nutritional supplements have shown promise for relieving pain, stiffness and other arthritis symptoms. Glucosamine and chondroitin, omega-3 fatty acids, SAM-e and curcumin are just some of the natural products researchers have studied for osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Some of these natural remedies may offer arthritis symptom relief, especially when you use them in conjunction with traditional treatments. Here’s the evidence on some of the most popular supplements used to treat arthritis, and how they work. Glucosamine and Chondroitin Glucosamine and chondroitin are two of the most commonly used supplements for arthritis.
They’re components of cartilage—the substance that cushions the joints. Research on these supplements has been mixed, in part because studies have used varying designs and supplement types. A large National Institutes of Health study called the GAIT trial compared glucosamine and chondroitin, alone or together, with an NSAID and inactive treatment (placebo) in people with knee osteoarthritis (OA).
Glucosamine improved symptoms like pain and function, but not much better than a placebo. Yet a 2016 international trial found the combination to be as effective as the NSAID celecoxib at reducing pain, stiffness and swelling in knee OA. Studies have also differed on which form of the supplements is most effective.
Some evidence suggests glucosamine sulfate is best. Others find glucosamine hydrochloride to be more effective. One study that compared the two forms head to head showed they offered equivalent pain relief. Mayo Clinic researchers say evidence supports trying glucosamine sulfate – not hydrochloride – with or without chondroitin sulfate for knee OA.
- Fish oil The polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids found in fish have potent anti-inflammatory properties.
- Omega-3 fats seem to work better for rheumatoid arthritis than for osteoarthritis, most likely because rheumatoid arthritis is mainly driven by inflammation,” says Chris D’Adamo, PhD, director of Research & Education at the University of Maryland School of Medicine Center for Integrative Medicine.
A 2017 systematic review of studies found that omega-3 supplements reduced joint pain, stiffness and swelling in RA. Taking these supplements might help some people cut down on their use of pain relievers – and avoid their side effects. “For mild cases of arthritis, it may be better to reach for the supplements before you go for the ibuprofen,” says Farshad Fani Marvasti, MD, MPH, director of Public Health, Prevention, and Health Promotion at The University of Arizona.
- Omega-3s have the added benefit of protecting against heart disease and dementia, he says.
- Plant-based sources such as flax and chia seeds also contain omega-3s, but in the form of short-chain alpha-linolenic acid (ALA).
- It’s the long-chain omega-3 fatty acids – eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) – that have the majority of the health benefits,” D’Adamo says.
When you buy fish oil, make sure the supplement lists the EPA and DHA content, and that you take at least one gram each of EPA and DHA, he adds. Vegans can get these omega-3s from an algae-based supplement. SAM-e S-adenosyl-methionine (SAM-e) is a natural compound in the body that has anti-inflammatory, cartilage-protecting and pain-relieving effects.
In studies, it was about as good at relieving OA pain as NSAIDs like ibuprofen and celecoxib, without their side effects. SAM-e has a bonus benefit, too. “The supplement is most useful when you also have depression, because it has a mild to moderate antidepressant effect,” Marvasti says. The typical SAM-e dose is 1,200 mg daily.
Arthritis Of The Fingers – Everything You Need To Know – Dr. Nabil Ebraheim
If you plan to try this supplement, be patient. “It’s going to take a few weeks to see the full effects,” D’Adamo says. Curcumin Curcumin is the active compound in the yellow-hued spice, turmeric, which is a staple of Indian curries. In the body, it acts as a powerful anti-inflammatory agent, blocking the same inflammation-promoting enzyme as the COX-2 inhibitor drug, celecoxib.
- In a study of 367 people with knee OA, a 1,500 mg daily dose of curcumin extract was as effective as 1,200 mg a day of ibuprofen, without the gastrointestinal side effects.
- This supplement also appears to relieve RA swelling and tenderness.
- One downside to curcumin is that it’s hard for the body to absorb.
“You want to take it with a source of fat. Some of the supplements will be in an oil base, which is really important,” D’Adamo says. Black pepper also increases the absorption. Some supplements add the black pepper extract, piperine. However, piperine could potentially cause liver damage, and it can increase the absorption of medications like carbamazepine (Tegretol) and phenytoin (Dilantin), making them more potent.
Vitamins Several vitamins have been studied for their effects on arthritis, including the antioxidant vitamins A, C, and E, and vitamins D and K. So far there’s no evidence that taking antioxidant vitamins improves arthritis symptoms, although eating a diet rich in these nutrients is healthy overall.
Vitamins D and K are both important for bone strength, and vitamin K is involved in cartilage structure. Supplementing these two nutrients may be helpful if you’re deficient in them. Supplement Risks When you take supplements as directed and under your doctor’s supervision, they’re generally safe.
Yet even though they’re labeled “natural,” supplements can sometimes cause side effects or interact with the medicines you take. For example, high-dose fish oil supplements can thin the blood and may interact with anticoagulant medicines such as warfarin (Coumadin). Sometimes you can overdo it and take too much, especially when it comes to vitamins.
Some vitamins – like B and C – are water soluble. That means if you take too much of them, your body will flush out the extra. Yet fat-soluble vitamins such as A, D, E and K can build up in your body to the point where they become harmful, so check with your doctor about safe amounts.
Finally, supplements don’t go through the same rigorous approval process from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as medicines. The FDA has to review and approve every medication to make sure it works and that it’s safe. With supplements, the ingredients listed on the label may not be the same ones that are in the bottle.
How to Take Supplements Safely If you do want to try supplements, use them as an add-on to arthritis drugs, not as a replacement. They should never take the place of medications, which are the only proven way to slow joint damage. Always check with your doctor before you try any new supplement to make sure that it’s right for you, and that you’re taking a safe dose.
When should I be worried about finger joint pain?
Non-urgent advice: See a GP if: –
pain in your finger is stopping you doing normal activitiesthe pain is getting worse or keeps coming backthe pain has not improved after treating it at home for 2 weeksyou’ve noticed a tingling in your hand or your hand is starting to feel numbyou have diabetes – hand problems can be more serious if you have diabetes
Can uric acid cause finger joint pain?
What causes gout? – Gout is caused by a build-up of a substance called uric acid in the blood. If you produce too much uric acid or your kidneys don’t filter enough out, it can build up and cause tiny sharp crystals to form in and around joints. These crystals can cause the joint to become inflamed (red and swollen) and painful. Things that may increase your chances of getting gout include:
obesity, high blood pressure and/or diabetes having a close relative with gout kidney problems eating foods that cause a build-up of uric acid, such as red meat, offal and seafood drinking too much beer or spirits
Read more about the causes of gout,
Why does my finger hurt but no injury?
Treatment – People with mild symptoms may not require treatment. However, for more severe symptoms, a doctor may recommend surgery to remove the cords to allow the fingers to straighten. A person should see a doctor for any pain that impacts their ability to carry out their daily activities or job.
It is important for people to seek prompt medical attention for suspected fractures, dislocations, and wound infections. To diagnose the cause of finger pain, a doctor will typically review a person’s symptoms and medical history and conduct a physical examination of the affected finger. They may also order imaging and blood tests to help with their diagnosis.
Self-care measures for finger pain may include:
applying an ice pack to the affected area for up to 20 minutes at a timeresting the finger as much as possibleprotecting and immobilizing the affected finger using a splint or by buddy taping itkeeping the finger elevated above the level of the heart to reduce swellingtaking OTC pain relievers, such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and naproxen
Finger pain is often the result of minor injuries. People can often treat finger pain at home with rest and immobilization. However, severe, worsening, or recurring pain may be the sign of a more serious injury or an underlying condition. Possible causes of finger pain include tendon conditions, arthritis, ganglion cysts, and infections.
Does finger arthritis come on suddenly?
The main symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis are joint pain, swelling and stiffness. It may also cause more general symptoms, and inflammation in other parts of the body. The symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis often develop gradually over several weeks, but some cases can progress quickly over a number of days.
Can low vitamin D cause finger pain?
Can Vitamin D Deficiency Cause Joint Pain and Swelling? > > > Can Vitamin D Deficiency Cause Joint Pain and Swelling? Do you know that one of the most vital nutrients that promote bone health is Vitamin D? Yes, multiple studies show that a deficiency of this vitamin can lead to joint pain and swelling. As Vitamin D is required for bone building and bone health, therefore a deficiency of it will negatively affect the bones. Since our school days, we have known how important Vitamin D is for bone health. So, today let’s know a little more about the importance of Vitamin D and how to manage its deficiency. Vitamin D, also known as the sunshine vitamin, is an essential fat-soluble vitamin. The nickname “sunshine vitamin” is because of its ability to manufacture under exposure to sunlight. It also regulates the level of calcium and phosphorus in the human body.
- That is why it is so essential for teeth and bone health.
- It can also help maintain various autoimmune medical conditions like Type 1 diabetes,,, etc.
- The deficiency of Vitamin D can lead to osteomalacia (softening of bones) in adults.
- In children, the deficiency is known to cause rickets.
- Is also another medical condition that occurs due to low levels of Vitamin D.
A study investigated the effect of vitamin D serum on hip and knee pain in elderly people. The result shows that a moderate level of vitamin D deficiency can predict the onset of hip pain in 2.4 years and knee pain in 5 years. The research also supported that the pain could worsen if the deficiency was not treated.
Another study suggests that patients with low Vitamin D levels suffering from chronic pain might get relief from taking Vitamin D supplements. However, more follow-up research is needed to know if the supplements would help all patients suffering from chronic pain. A study was conducted to understand the correlation between Vitamin D and rheumatoid arthritis.
Here, the results showed that patients having rheumatoid arthritis have low levels of Vitamin D. In contrast, other research states that people with rheumatoid arthritis have Vitamin D deficiency due to corticosteroid medications.However, a 2015 Cochrane study showed that the current evidence is not enough to link vitamin D deficiency and joint pain.
- More evidence and research need to be done in this arena to gain more concrete information.
- One of the best ways to reduce joint pain is to focus on other vitamins that can help.
- For instance, calcium and vitamin K can help decrease joint pain.
- In addition, studies state that probiotics and can also help ease joint pain.
So if you have a deficiency of vitamin D, let’s know what you can eat to manage it. The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for Vitamin D is 600 IU (International Units) daily for women and men above 19 years old. The food items listed below are an excellent source of Vitamin D.
Cod liver oil Salmon Mushrooms Egg yolks Orange Juice Cereals
Does lack of vitamin D cause joint pain?
Vitamin D and how it can help in Pain Management – As Chiropractors and Physiotherapists, we often treat patients with problems such as chronic lower back pain, neck pain, osteoporosis, Multiple Sclerosis, and stenosis of the spine. New research has proven that low levels of Vitamin D can play a significant role in making joint and muscle problems worse.
As physical therapists, we focus our efforts on finding and correcting the underlying source of your problem. While chiropractic adjustments and physio treatment can correct subluxations (misalignments), eliminate or mitigate pain, and restore normal nerve function, low levels of Vitamin D can continue to negatively affect your health, and possibly prevent your physical treatment from being as effective as it could be.
Various studies conducted by trusted health bodies have reported the following:
People living with chronic pain who were deficient in vitamin D are most likely to benefit from taking vitamin D supplements (further studies are needed to determine whether vitamin D supplements can help everyone living with chronic pain – but the information gathered so far is promising).
Adults with a vitamin D deficiency who are older than 50 are more likely to develop pain in their hip and knee joints. Studies have concluded that the associated pain is likely to get worse if the deficiency isn’t treated.
In studies conducted on people with rheumatoid arthritis (an autoimmune condition that causes the body to attack its joints), most of the participants had low vitamin D levels.
What age does arthritis start in fingers?
Osteoarthritis can affect anyone at any age, but it’s more common in women over the age of 50. Some of the factors that can make you more likely to develop osteoarthritis in your hands include: being female. the genes you inherit.
How fast does arthritis progress in fingers?
How quickly does OA progress? – Experts confirm that once OA starts, it may take years to reach a severe stage. However, in extreme cases, OA progresses rapidly to complete the destruction of the cartilage within a few months. Some of the factors that determine the rate of OA progression include:
The severity of your symptoms at the time of diagnosis The specific joints affected by the condition Your overall health Your physical activity and how much you use the affected joint
A recent study² reveals that OA of the knee tends to progress faster in older persons and those with OA in more than one joint. It also progresses much faster in people with a high BMI. If you suspect you have osteoarthritis, it is crucial that you visit your doctor immediately. Early diagnosis and treatment can help slow down the progression of OA.