Discover essential tips and home exercises to help alleviate finger joint pain and maintain the flexibility and mobility of your hand fingers.
How can finger joint pain be reduced?
The fingers consist of 14 joints that act as small pivots controlled by complex muscles and tendons. Because these joints are small, any injury or inflammation can lead to stiffness or loss of movement, and small scars may cause significant restrictions in motor activity. To manage this condition, the following is recommended:
- Adjusting daily habits:
- Avoid activities that increase the intensity of the pain and give the joints a period of rest to recover.
- Reduce the weight of objects lifted; this can be compensated for by increasing the number of lifts.
- Use clothing with large buttons or Velcro straps instead of small buttons.
- Organize the placement of items in the home and office so they are not at levels that are too high or too low.
- Handling household tools:
- Use assistive tools to open tight jar lids.
- When opening a stiff lid, it is preferable to press on the top part with the entire palm of the hand and rotate it using the whole hand rather than relying on the fingers alone.
- Pain management:
- Pain relievers can be used to a certain extent, but caution is advised with very strong medications as they may push a person to over-use the joints.
Exercises for hand fingers flexibility
Gentle stretching exercises help maintain the range of motion, most notably:
- Dipping the palms in lukewarm water before starting exercises to expand the range of motion.
- Spreading the fingers while placing the palm flat on a table.
- Closing the hand into a fist while lifting the wrist to increase the stretch.
- Using one hand to gently move the fingers of the other hand until a point of discomfort is reached. If movement is limited, repeat the exercise up to 10 times; if movement is normal, once is sufficient.
- Performing joint stretching exercises calmly twice daily.
What happens during a doctor’s visit?
If the problem persists for 6 weeks of home treatment, a specialist should be consulted. The doctor will examine the palms and the range of motion of the fingers and may request an X-ray.
In cases of severe pain, steroid injections may be used, although this procedure is less successful in small joints compared to large ones. Similarly, surgeries such as the removal of inflamed tissues or replacing a joint with plastic may improve the appearance of the hand and reduce pain, but they often do not contribute to improving the functional performance of the hand.
FAQ
What helps finger joint pain?
Using assistive tools for opening jars, adjusting daily habits to avoid strain, and performing gentle stretching exercises after warming the hands in lukewarm water can help.
Are surgical operations effective for finger joints?
Surgeries help reduce pain and improve the appearance of the hand, but they usually do not improve the performance of the palm and are considered less successful in small joints.
How can I open jars without straining my fingers?
It is preferable to use a special opener or press the lid with the entire palm of the hand and rotate it using the whole hand instead of just the fingers.
When should you see a doctor immediately?
Medical consultation is recommended in the following cases:
- If pain and problems persist despite following home treatment for 6 weeks.
- When feeling very severe pain in a finger joint.
- When noticing obvious stiffness or a sudden loss of the ability to move the fingers.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice.
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Illustration: AI-generated
approved by: Medica Health team