Swollen finger joint

[BlackInk]

Just wondering whether anyone has had a similar experience...

The top joint of my little finger on one hand has been painful and swollen for 7 or 8 months. The tip of my finger now bends at a slight angle. Generally getting worse not better, but some days it is worse than others.

I also have stiff, achy, knobbly hands/finger joints in general, although only one is swollen. And I have a painful swelling in the joint on top of one foot that flares up from time to time.

I am going through an early menopause (I think) so have been at the drs quite a lot (for me) of late. I've mentioned the swollen finger joint a couple of times but have been completely dismissed and told to take pain killers and there's nothing that can be done for one painful joint.

I'm happy to grin and bear it if that's the right advice. Although painful it's not unbearable. But I can't use the finger at all. It is stiff, clicks a lot and very weak.

I guess it's some kind of arthritis. Is it true that I now just have to accept that I have a painful non-functioning finger and put up with it forever??

Thank you :)

I am afraid I don't have any answers and am in the same position! I am 47. My right hand is now practically useless, I do have carpal tunnel and was supposed to be having an operation but appear to have been overlooked (have been waiting since December) but I think most of my pain is arthritis. Once I have the op, if still in pain, this will be investigated I am told. Most of my pain is in a knuckle joint and the large thumb joint and across the back of my hand. I drop virtually everything that I pick up in that hand. I have no grip because it is weak and painful. I cannot open jars, packets, etc. I cannot squeeze anything such as a sponge or shampoo bottle. The pain is worse when it is raining and I am cold.

I suppose it will just mean popping the painkillers for the rest of my life, its shit

Myinsidesareallwrong ... that's not the answer I wanted :(
You sound in a much worse position than me, so I will stop feeling sorry for myself and just learn to live with my useless finger. I too have trouble gripping and am starting to drop things, but the pain isn't bad enough for painkillers - unless I knock or squash the offending digit.
Thanks for replying, and hope you do get sorted soon x

Isn't there any requirement for a GP to refer people with rheumatoid or osteo arthritis to a specialist? That's pretty awful.

Sounds like arthritis to me, possibly even both types

Rheumatoid moves around and comes and goes in flare ups.

The finger sounds like osteo.

Go and see your GP and see if you can have some blood tests done. Can't harm

If you suspect arthritis then no, you shouldn't have to just live with it and put up with it. You need to get your visitor to refer you to rheumatology. If it is a form of arthritis then sooner you start medication for arthritis the better the outcomes.

I was diagnosed with arthritis a few years back, around 38y I think. I'd had stiff fingers/hand before that but hadn't realised what it was. I ended up with a big swollen flare up on my knee just before a Florida holiday and was fast tracked for treatment. I now take a lot of medication daily which on the whole keeps it at bay. I do get some aches and pains (and fatigue) but not as pain in anyway and I do get flare ups at times but they are generally short lived and can be dealt with. And most importantly even those aches and flare ups, though can be a pain, the medication means that the disease isn't causing major damage to my joints.

Do go back to the gp and push for a referral.

And remember even if the blood tests don't show much it can still be arthritis. I have psoriatic arthritis and it doesn't follow the same blood test markers as other forms. Though the blood test for inflammation is normally high so during flare ups

You need a referral to Rheumatology. From your GP.

Is it a ganglion www.nhs.uk/conditions/excisionofganglion/pages/introduction.aspx I have one on the top joint of one of my fingers. My GP said many years ago they were 'cured' by being hit with a bible. I have decided to leave mine to disappear naturally!

I agree that it sounds like osteo arthritis I also have these funny lumps on the top joint of my index fingers. I think they could be hereditary.
I also have a ganglion on my knuckle on my little finger which is very painful and my whole finger is swollen (very different in looks to the oa finger though.) Sorry no advice as to what to do about it though.

Sounds like oesteoarthritis. I got pretty much the same advice from the GP - I have 2 swollen middle finger joints and pain in base of thump and left hand little finger. Just told to take painkillers and nhs choices says much the same. My GP did say hands were the worst place to get it because they can't replace the joints, or inject into them. I'm 49 and going through menopause which started when I was 41. Seems so early to get 'old lady hands' doesn't it? :-(

Thanks everyone - it really does feel too young Bunnyfuller to be getting old lady hands :(
Mixed opinions then on whether there's anything to be done or not. I'll mention it again next time I'm at the GP complaining about my other old lady ailments!
BI x

Osteoarthritis relatively common after the age of 45. Especially in women. Especially in the distal joints and base of thumb joint.

Rheumatoid Arthritis often also first presents in the hands. Definitely have indicative blood tests via GP and see a Rheumatologist as if it is RA it's important to get disease modifying drugs before too many joints are damaged. There are quite a few of us RA sufferers on the thread in "Auto-Immune diseases" board.

So, I was referred for an xray on my little finger and the results show 'moderate arthritis'. No treatment or follow up advised. I did have some blood taken at the same time but I don't know what they were testing for. Dr said today I am slightly anaemic, but other results not in yet I don't think.
I just feel a bit fed up. I now also have pain and swelling in one ankle (looks as though I've sprained it but I haven't). Generally feeling rubbish and low-level ill. Sporadic pain in top of one foot and terribly stiff, painful lower back. I feel more like I'm 142 :(
Any words of wisdom out there? I feel like such a hypochondriac going back to the drs all the time as I look basically fine and am managing to go about my normal life.
Thank you!