Sunday, May 18, 2008
Stiff Fingers
STIFF FINGERS POINT TO TYPE OF ARTHRITIS
Question: Lately, I've had difficulty closing the fingers on both hands every morning and they feel stiff and painful. I rub my hands together when this happens, just to get some relief. Why is this happening?
Answer: Your symptoms of finger joint pain and early morning stiffness sound recent in onset although you did not mention how long these symptoms last for and if they have progressively worsened.
Osteoarthritis, also known as degenerative arthritis or degenerative joint disease, is the most common form of arthritis and occurs more frequently with age.
It is a condition in which low-grade inflammation results in pain in the joints, caused by abnormal wearing of the cartilage that covers and acts as a cushion inside the joints, and the decrease of synovial fluid that lubricates those joints. It commonly affects the hands, feet, spine, hips and knees. As the disease progresses, the affected joint feels more painful as it is used more throughout the day, thus distinguishing it from rheumatoid arthritis.
Weight loss and exercise are usually recommended first to treat osteoarthritis. Because of the potential side-effects of many drugs that are used, medication is usually recommended only after weight loss and exercise have not been effective in relieving symptoms. Surgery is recommended only for severe, disabling arthritis that interferes with a person's ability to carry out daily activities.
Morning stiffness is often a prominent feature in rheumatoid arthritis and may last for hours. Joints may feel 'doughy' and warm. Functional impairment is a feature because of pain. Chemical mediators (cytokines) released as a result of an abnormal immune reaction give rise to inflammation of the joint lining (synovitis).
Although there is no known cure for rheumatoid arthritis, many types of treatment can be used to alleviate symptoms and to modify the disease process.
A combination of several treatments usually works best but it can take some time to find the combination for each person.
See a doctor to ascertain if you have osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis.
Labels: arthritis, hands, stiff finger, symptoms of finger joint
