The Best Finger Joint Pain Treatment Options

Finger joint pain can be debilitating and can adversely affect one’s ability to perform day-to-day activities. This pain can worsen when one attempts to move or press the finger. Fortunately, there are several treatment options available for finger joint pain.

So what are the best finger joint pain treatment options? It ranges from ice packs to surgery depending on the cause of the discomfort. For an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatments, it’s best to consult with a medical professional.

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Treatment for Finger Joint Pain Based on the Cause of Pain

The treatment plan for finger joint pain largely depends on what is causing the pain. If it’s an injury or due to strain, over-the-counter medications should suffice. In more chronic finger joint pain cases, surgical intervention may be required. 

Treating Injury Related Finger Joint Pain

Finger injuries are quite common. Athletes and professionals who operate heavy machinery are especially prone to finger injuries. People may probably feel pain while pressing on the finger because damage often results in discomfort and inflammation. The following are examples of common finger injuries:

• A dislocated finger joint
• A sprain that occurs when a ligament gets torn or stretched
• A broken or fractured bone in the finger joint
• A strain that occurs when a tendon or muscle becomes stretched

RICE (rest, ice, compression, and elevation) therapy can be used to treat minor sprains and strains.

Rest: For a few days, refrain from using or manipulating the damaged finger. Consider using a splint or buddy taping the damaged finger to another finger to immobilize it.

Ice: Apply ice to the hurt finger for 20 minutes. between four and eight times per day, one Trusted Source at a time. Applying ice can help lessen discomfort and reduce swelling.

Compression: A soft dressing or bandage should be applied to the wounded finger. Ensure that the bandage is snug without being restrictive.

Elevation: Keep the wounded finger elevated above the heart to lower the finger’s blood pressure and swelling.

Other treatments: Ibuprofen and aspirin are two OTC pain relievers that can aid with pain management and swelling reduction. Medical assistance is necessary for severe wounds such as fractures and dislocations. A medical practitioner has the ability to reset a broken bone and relocate a finger bone back into its joint. The finger will subsequently be immobilized to promote appropriate healing.

Treatment for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

The median nerve, which travels from the forearm down the carpal tunnel and into the palm, is impacted by carpal tunnel syndrome. People may feel discomfort or numbness if this nerve becomes squeezed inside the carpal tunnel because it supplies sensory and motor functions to the thumb, index, and middle fingers.

Carpal tunnel syndrome can occur in people who sustain wrist or hand injuries. The ligaments that make up the carpal tunnel can get irritated by repetitive actions like typing. The type of treatment depends on how severe a person’s symptoms are. It may consist of:

• Using over-the-counter (OTC) NSAIDs or prescription painkillers to lessen inflammation and discomfort
• Employing a splint or brace to maintain a straight wrist
• Staying away from things that irritate the median nerve
• Doing physical therapy
• Getting steroid injections

Treatment for Tendon-Related Finger Joint Pain

Tendons are collagen-based tissue cords that join bones and muscles. Tendonitis and tenosynovitis are two frequently occurring conditions that affect the tendons. When a tendon is inflamed, it can result in tendonitis, which can cause swelling, discomfort, and restricted movement. Tendon sheath inflammation, or tenosynovitis, refers to the thin membrane that encases a tendon. It may result in stiffness, edema, and joint pain.

RICE therapy can be used to treat minor tendon issues in patients. People with severe or ongoing symptoms may need surgery, physical therapy, or corticosteroid injections to reduce swelling.

Treatment for Ganglion Cysts

Fluid-filled growths called ganglion cysts typically appear at the end of the fingers and on the back of the wrist. To the touch, these growths may feel soft or hard. Although they’re mostly painless, some people claim to experience weakness, soreness, or pain close to a ganglion cyst.

There’s still no known etiology for ganglion cysts. However, scientists think these soft tissue masses result from arthritis and persistent joint diseases including connective tissue damage. In most cases, ganglion cysts disappear on their own. The majority of the time, doctors only treat ganglion cysts that are painful or restrict mobility. A doctor may drain or surgically remove a ganglion cyst depending on where it is located.

Treatment for Arthritis

Inflammation, discomfort, and stiffness in the joints are disorders that are together referred to as arthritis. As a result, when a person presses on their finger, these situations are likely to hurt and be uncomfortable. Rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis are two common kinds of arthritis.

Loss of cartilage, the tissue that lines the joints, is a symptom of osteoarthritis. Additionally, it’s the most prevalent type of arthritis, particularly in people over 50. It typically appears at the middle joint of a finger, the top joint close to the tip of the finger, or the base of the thumb.

A chronic inflammatory disease called rheumatoid arthritis develops when the body’s immune system unintentionally targets healthy tissue. Juvenile arthritis, gout, lupus, psoriatic arthritis, and Raynaud’s phenomenon are additional kinds of arthritis.

Symptoms of arthritis include finger joint pain, swelling, joint stiffness that lasts around 30 minutes, difficulty in performing physical activities, and partial or complete loss of mobility in the finger joint.  The goals of arthritis treatment include reducing pain, improving joint mobility, and slowing disease progression. A doctor may recommend one or more of the following treatments:

• Surgery to replace or repair joints
• Topical or oral analgesics
• Physical therapy to increase mobility and strengthen the joints
• Supporting equipment, such as walkers and braces
• Medications for treating diseases that prevent the body’s natural immunological response
• Changes in lifestyle, such as losing weight, to reduce stress on the joints
• NSAIDs or corticosteroids to decrease inflammation

Treatment for Diabetes-Related Finger Joint Pain

Uncontrolled diabetes can cause a number of musculoskeletal issues, including Dupuytren’s contracture, carpal tunnel syndrome, and diabetic neuropathy, which can affect the hands and fingers. The palm’s connective tissues thicken, a condition known as Dupuytren’s contracture. The connective tissue bands get shorter with age, which might lead to the fingers bending toward the palm.

Dupuytren’s contracture symptoms include:

• Pits or nodular growths or pits on the fingers
• pain or discomfort in the palm
• having trouble flattening the palm 
• having trouble moving the hands or making small movements

Diabetes patients can develop diabetic neuropathy, which is nerve damage. The nerves in the arms and hands can be affected by neuropathy, which can result in a burning or tingling feeling, numbness, or weakening.

Diabetes-related disorders of the hands and fingers are treated with a focus on symptom relief and delaying the onset of the disease. Doctors may use corticosteroid injections, painkillers, and physical therapy to treat Dupuytren’s contracture. They might advise surgery if it affects the way the hands work. Other diabetic neuropathy treatments include:

• Lidocaine patches or ointments 
• Pain medications for the nerves such as anticonvulsants or antidepressants 
• Physical therapy

Treatment for Finger Joint Pain Due to Tumors

Tumors can form in the soft tissue, bones, ligaments, or tendons of the fingers, however, they’re uncommon. Pain, stiffness, and restricted movement may result from a tumor in or close to a finger joint. For instance, bone metastases, or cancerous growths, in the fingers might hurt, swell, and feel uncomfortable when the finger is pressed. In the event that the tumor is malignant, persons could suffer from:

• Vulnerability to fractures
• Unintentional weight loss
• Swelling and tenderness at the affected location,
• Intermittent bone pain and discomfort
• Frequent fatigue and exhaustion

Tumors that are benign or non-cancerous may not always need medical attention. A person can comfortably live with a benign tumor as long as they don’t feel any pain or notice any changes in their mobility. A malignant tumor in a finger joint is likely to be removed on a doctor’s recommendation. A pathologist will get the tumor or a sample of it for additional examination.

Additionally, pathologists can also determine the kind of tumor and where it came from. The optimal course of treatment can be chosen by doctors with the aid of this information. A doctor may utilize one or more of the following bone cancer treatment options if the tumor sprang from a bone:

• Radiation therapy
• Surgery for tumor removal 
• Chemotherapy

A tumor in a finger joint can also result from soft tissue cancer. Surgery is typically a part of soft tissue cancer treatments. Small tumors can be surgically removed together with the surrounding healthy tissue by a doctor. This process guarantees that no cancer cells are left behind.

Soft tissue cancer that has progressed to the lymph nodes or other distant areas of the body is more difficult for a doctor to treat. Surgery is still an option for a doctor to try to remove tumors and any damaged lymph nodes. A doctor will probably advise systemic medicines, such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy, if cancer has spread to an organ system.

Preventive Measures for Finger Joint Pain

• Adhering to treatment guidelines for persistent finger joint pain
• Taking frequent breaks and rests when making repetitive hand movements
• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Eating a balanced diet to keep blood sugar levels under control.
• Wearing protective equipment when participating in contact sports

When Should You Visit a Doctor

A person should contact their doctor if they experience severe finger pain that doesn’t go away with OTC treatment or physical therapy. Numbness or tingling in their fingers along with difficulty in moving or straightening their fingers are causes for concern. You should definitely consult with a doctor immediately if the finger shows signs of swelling or discoloration. 

Get Expert Medical Professionals to Treat Your Finger Joint Pain at aNu Aesthetics

Numerous factors might lead to finger joint pain, which can interfere with daily tasks. Rest and painkillers should help heal a broken finger. Sprains, strains, dislocations, and fractures are examples of injuries. Finger joint pain can also result from infection or arthritic inflammation. Once the underlying disease is treated, a person’s symptoms should get better, and if they don’t, they might need to see a doctor to obtain a professional opinion.

At aNu Aesthetics, we help patients get to optimal wellness by targeting the root cause of their finger joint pain. Our team of specialists use the power of functional medicine to not only reduce the pain but also to help our patients adopt a healthier lifestyle. Contact us today to book a consultation appointment. 

Rewind The Clock Both Outside And In

Regenerative therapy has helped countless patients look and feel like the person they were years before. Call us today to book your regenerative therapy consultation.

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