Finger Joint Pain Treatments
Ease the Pain

There are a number of bones in the hand beginning with the metacarpal bones in the palm that are connected to each of the four fingers and your thumb. Where the bones connect are the knuckles and pain can occur in any of them. Each finger has three small bones in it that are also connected by two joints. Each joint is subject to a painful condition called arthritis.

The complex construction of the hand isn't something you think about often until one day a swollen knuckle causes pain or general joint inflammation makes it difficult to use the hands. The hand joints are just as subject to developing osteoarthritis as the rest of the joints in the body.

Pain in the joints is seldom the only symptom of arthritis. The hand joint will swell, become stiff, ache, or have a burning sensation. The arthritis makes it difficult to grasp objects or twist tops, button your shirt, or type on the computer keyboard at work.

Pain management strategies are designed to help you maintain manual dexterity so you don’t have to confront difficulties doing even simple tasks. The fact is that finger pain can even be dangerous when it means you're unable to perform tasks like properly gripping a steering wheel while driving.

Though there are surgical techniques that include bone fusion and joint replacement, they're used only as last resorts. Many home treatments, especially in cases of early stages of osteoporosis, can relieve pain that occurs periodically or prevent low level pain attacks.

For example, over the counter NSAIDs are often enough to relieve pain. NSAIDs is an acronym for Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs.

These drugs include ibuprofen, Anacin, and Naproxen. The low dosages in these off-the-shelf medications make them easy for most people to tolerate.

There are also prescription NSAIDs which are more powerful versions of anti-inflammatory drugs. The drugs work by preventing the inflammation response in the joint synovial cells which relieves associated pain.

After any injury, rest the finger joints so that they can heal, use mild stretching exercises to keep them limber. Stretch the joints gently, not forcefully, twice a day. Stretch just to the point of discomfort, but not enough to cause pain.

Use common sense in thinking of ways to reduce the impact of the activities you do that are stressful to your joints. Perform activities that are less stressful to the joints. A bigger handle can be gripped with less strain than a small handle. Avoid doing what will aggravate the pain.

Anti-inflammatory medication can help. Any prescribed medication for inflammation should be taken only as directed. Avoid strong pain medicines for your finger joint pain, they tend to mask the pain and may lead to excessive activity or exercise.

If you're experiencing painful arthritis in your fingers, don't just live with the pain. There are options available for controlling finger joint pain that will bring much needed relief.









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