Arthritis describes conditions causing pain and inflammation in a joint. While it can affect various joints, the fingers are a common site, impacting daily activities. This inflammation often involves damage to the smooth cartilage lining a joint, potentially leading to bone-on-bone friction. It can occur gradually, or as a result of injury or immune system dysfunction.
Common Visual Changes
Arthritis in the fingers often presents with several visual changes. Swelling is common around affected joints, making them appear larger or puffy. This swelling can be accompanied by redness and warmth, indicating inflammation.
Over time, persistent inflammation and joint damage can lead to visible deformities. Fingers might appear crooked or bent. Bony enlargements, known as nodes, can also form on the finger joints. These can appear as pea-sized growths or knobby areas, limiting finger range of motion. The skin around affected joints may also appear stretched or shiny.
Associated Symptoms
Beyond visual changes, arthritis in the fingers causes other symptoms affecting hand function. Pain is common, described as a dull ache, throbbing, or sharp sensation, often worsening after hand use or at night. It can also be present with minimal movement.
Stiffness is another complaint, particularly in the morning or after inactivity. This stiffness can make it difficult to make a fist or move fingers freely, with duration varying by arthritis type. Affected joints may feel tender, and reduced range of motion can challenge daily tasks. Some individuals also experience a grinding, grating, or clicking sensation when bending fingers.
How Different Types Appear
The visual characteristics and symptoms of arthritis in the fingers vary significantly depending on the type of arthritis.
Osteoarthritis (OA)
Osteoarthritis (OA), the most common form, often affects the joints closest to the fingertips (DIP joints) and the middle joints (PIP joints). A hallmark of OA is the development of bony enlargements. Heberden’s nodes are firm growths on the DIP joints, while Bouchard’s nodes form on the PIP joints. These nodes are typically hard and can cause fingers to appear crooked, though they may not always be painful. Involvement is often asymmetrical.
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) typically affects the small joints of the hands and wrists, particularly the MCP joints (where fingers meet the hand) and the PIP joints. Unlike OA, RA often presents with symmetrical involvement. Affected joints tend to be swollen, red, and warm due to joint lining inflammation. Over time, RA can lead to more severe deformities like swan neck deformity (middle joint hyperextends, fingertip bends downwards), boutonnière deformity (middle joint bends, outermost joint hyperextends), or ulnar deviation (fingers bend towards the little finger side).
Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA)
Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA) can affect any joint, including the fingers, and often occurs in individuals with psoriasis. A distinctive sign is dactylitis, or “sausage digits,” where an entire finger or toe becomes uniformly swollen, painful, and warm due to inflammation of the joints, tendons, and ligaments. PsA can also cause characteristic nail changes, which may appear before joint symptoms. These include pitting, discoloration, thickening, crumbling, or separation of the nail from the nail bed. DIP joint involvement is common, with prominent inflammatory signs.
When to Consult a Professional
Observing changes in your fingers, such as persistent pain, swelling, stiffness, or visible deformities, warrants a medical consultation. Accurate diagnosis is crucial for effective management and to differentiate between arthritis types or other conditions. Seeking early medical attention can help slow progression and manage symptoms. A doctor will conduct a physical examination, discuss your medical history, and may order diagnostic tests. These can include imaging studies like X-rays to visualize bone and joint changes, or blood tests for inflammation markers or specific antibodies.