What can I do for severe arthritis pain in my fingers?

Your doctor might recommend one or more of these treatments to ease pain and make it easier to use your hand:

  1. Painkiller pills. Acetaminophen and NSAIDs like ibuprofen can ease pain.
  2. Immobilizing devices. A splint, brace, or sleeve can hold your hand in a stable position to lessen pain.
  3. Hand therapy.
  4. Cortisone shots.

What causes sudden arthritis in fingers?

Sudden pain and swelling in your finger joints can be a result of an injury, infection, or systemic conditions like RA, PsA, lupus, and gout. The pain and swelling that occur are usually due to the inflammation caused by these conditions.

How do you know if you have rheumatoid arthritis in your fingers?

When your hands are affected by rheumatoid arthritis, you may experience swelling around the affected joint, which leads to pain or tenderness. The joint may feel warm to the touch. Swelling tends to be symmetrical, which means it occurs in the same joints on both right and left hands.

Can arthritis just come on suddenly?

Pain and stiffness in and around one or more joints are common symptoms for most types of arthritis. Depending on the type of arthritis, symptoms can develop suddenly or gradually over time. Symptoms may come and go, or persist over time.

How to treat arthritis of the fingers?

Besides exercises, you can also use a variety of oral and topical over-the-counter (OTC) medications to cope with pain from arthritis of the fingers. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are recommended to treat arthritis symptoms because of their pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory qualities.

What is the most common cause of finger arthritis?

Causes. There are three types of arthritis that commonly affect the fingers: Osteoarthritis: Osteoarthritis, also called wear-and-tear arthritis, is the most common type of finger arthritis. In people with osteoarthritis, the normal cartilage is steadily worn away, exposing bare bone at the joints.

Can rheumatoid arthritis cause deformities in the hands?

Rheumatoid arthritis often causes similar symptoms. However, rheumatoid arthritis can actually cause deformities in the hands. Inflammation in the joints can cause finger joints to become crooked and bend away from the thumb. A joint is the part of your body where two bones come together.

Are splints good for arthritis in fingers?

Splints Splinting can help with both OA and RA pain in the fingers. It has been shown to reduce pain and improve joint mobility. 8 Resting hand splints, in particular, have been identified as an option that offers significant pain relief for the elderly with OA of the thumb without any side effects. 9