Why do pinky finger joints swell?

The swollen and painful fingers seriously hinder our daily life, but for some reason, no treatment can eliminate it. In fact, there are many reasons for joint swelling. Therefore, before choosing a treatment method, you must first figure out what causes it so that you can prescribe the right medicine. Painful and swollen finger joints may be due to arthritis. So, what are the basic symptoms of each disease? The editor will explain them to you below.

1. Rheumatoid arthritis - Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease. The initial symptoms are pain in the finger joints, or accompanied by redness, swelling and fever, and morning stiffness. Morning stiffness is the first symptom of joint pain and often appears before joint pain. Joint stiffness causes pain and discomfort when the joint begins to move, but morning stiffness decreases or disappears as joint movement increases. Morning joint stiffness is more obvious in the morning and eases in the afternoon.

2. Rheumatoid nodules - 15-20% of patients with rheumatoid arthritis will develop rheumatoid nodules, which are mostly found on the extensor side of the forearm that is often under pressure, such as the ulnar side and olecranon. Soft, amorphous, mobile nodules or rubbery nodules fixed to the periosteum can be felt subcutaneously.

3. Synovitis - Under normal circumstances, there is a delicate synovial membrane on the inner surface of the joint cavity, which can secrete synovial fluid to lubricate and protect the joints. When the synovium becomes inflamed, the joints become red, swollen, hot and painful due to the accumulation of inflammatory cells. When this inflammatory response is severe, it can even invade the entire joint, destroying cartilage and even bones. Without proper treatment, the joints will become deformed, stiff and unable to move.

4. Osteoarthritis - mostly occurs in the finger joints, but can also occur in the joints between the fingers. Hyperplastic arthritis usually occurs in older people, first appears in one or several fingers, and then affects other fingers. The affected joints may become swollen and painful.

For the above various symptoms of arthritis swelling and pain, the editor recommends that you go to the hospital for a check-up in time if you have symptoms, focusing on checking the three rheumatic items, first diagnosing the condition clearly, and then doing targeted treatment. To deal with rheumatic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, we should pay more attention to the combination of work and rest in our daily life. When it’s cold, take steps to keep warm.