Osteoarthritis in finger joints

[Unopenedpackofmenssocks]

Went to doctor about a lumps on my finger joints, he thought most likely osteoarthritis, still waiting for results of x-ray to confirm.

Has anyone else had a confirmed diagnosis of this? I’m only 50!

I am 70, I have osteoarthritis in my hands, it started in my mid-50’s, I also have it in my neck, toes of one foot and both ankles (due to injuries/fractures)
It isn’t too bad in warmer weather, I wear fingerless gloves in the winter which helps a bit and take ibuprofen when it’s particularly bad.
It’s a case of juggling exercise vv rest, keeping them warm and anticipating when it’s likely to flare up. Years of nursing haven’t helped me at all.
I seem to do okay most of the time!

I have this in my fingers, 50 years old. It doesn’t bother me particularly. One join can be painful from time to time, but I haven’t done anything about it as yet.

I'm less than 50 and mine are already on their way!

Do either of your parents have knobbly fingers? It's genetic. My DM's are terrible. Lucky me. I also have osteo in my neck - too much screen time.

I find it hurts like mad for a bit while a knobble is moving or growing, then it just calms down and doesn't hurt again for ages.

Didn't bother seeing GP as nothing they can do about it and one look at my DM's hands, then mine and the conclusion was obvious.

Thanks both! Glad to hear it doesn’t seem to be too big a deal.

Interesting about the genetics. My Mum died about 10 years ago, in her mid sixties, I don’t remember her having knobbly fingers. My dad died in his early fifties, he had little chubby fingers!

I'm 53 and was last year diagnosed with arthritis in my upper feet. It's miserable in cold weather but soaking in a warm salty bath helps, keeping them warm and dry, regular exercise and painkillers if I desperately need them.

I've got it in my index finger, it hurts if I knock it and sometimes burns like hell

Sorry this is a silly question, but what are the “upper feet?” Somewhere between the ankle but not as far down as the toe?

I have it in a number of fingers. Don't think my parents had it. I played volleyball for 20 years and think that might be a factor. One finger is mega painful and doc suggested an op to fuse joint. I am thinking about that. In meantime I am trying every supplement known to help joints. The pharmacist at my GP suggested a couple too. Thing is currently pain much reduced and no idea if it's the supplements or just a natural pain dip.

As pharmacist said - no clinical data to support supplements but she knows of patients who seem to benefit and even if it's placebo, do we care. I won't recommend any here as I don't honestly know if they are helping and don't want to get your hopes up but you might want to do some research.

I find it impacts blood flow to finger tips and I kept getting nail bed infection which thankfully has stopped now.

I have arthritis in both hands. Started in my 50s. Am now 60 and most of my fingers are deformed, but it doesn't hurt as much as it used to. Keeping hands warm makes a big difference. I wear fingerless gloves round the house in winter. It really helps. I have been riding horses for years and now struggle to hold the reins, but I am not giving up!

I turned 50 this week, and have had it for about the last 10 years. Already had one joint fused, and think I might end up having a few more done 🤦🏼‍♀️

Mine started early 50s, now 66, every woman in the family had it. My fingers are horribly bent and twisted now but pain wise it comes and goes. Keeping warm helps as do "arthritis gloves" in winter when it's bad.
I also have rheumatoid arthritis which developed in my 50s. Although they sound similar the pain is different.

I think I have it too. There's one finger joint that is particularly large and misshapen. And a few more that are starting to change.

My dm had it too. She put it down to working as a typist , although genetics are probably the cause.

Diagnosed at 34! Think it was pregnancy that did it for me. It’s annoying so far but I can live with it. I hope they don’t fuse as I get older.

I remember being taught it was genetic at med school.

I went 'Oh my mum has those.... oh shit'

Thanks everyone for the stories, though it’s sounding a bit more worrying the more I read- I love embroidery, crochet and dressmaking and was hoping to be able to do a lot of those when I retire but if this is kicking in at 50 it sounds like I might have to start developing some new hobbies.

@AnnaMagnani did you develop it?
The “fusing” sounds a bit scary.

Yep, started a few years ago, accompanied with loud wails from me about getting old.

My DM still knits and does embroidery but she is tough as old boots.

My husband's index finger. His hobby is guitar playing and this is starting to affect it. He's 52.

He finds taping it while playing guitar, and using ibuprofen gel, helps when it's sore.

Yes , started in my fifties.

I have it aged 50. Went to the doctors last year as the nodules were getting bigger and painful. I was recommended physiotherapy, warm wax baths but you can get heated gloves and to take pain relief when necessary.

I have found taking bovine collagen powder in my morning coffee has helped and taken the pain and swelling down. The warmer weather definitely helps as it flares up in the winter.

I was diagnosed with RA when I was 16. I've had to have both knees and hips replaced due to OA in them. I'm 34.

Sorry, upper feet is a bit vague - it's the bones across the top of my feet. Makes wearing shoes an absolute nightmare and to my DDC's horror, I've had to buy proper old lady shoes. Thankfully decent insoles help most of the time and I've had to upgrade to uber expensive wellies to walk the dogs in.

I’m 51 & had partial knee replacement last week due to OA & the other knee is being done by the end of the year.

I was diagnosed around 5 years ago, but it deteriorated quite a bit.

I have this starting in top finger knuckles on the middle finger in each hand. Doesn't hurt normally. Also have very painful big toes at night. My mum is riddled with arthritis so guess I am going so the same way.

Keep the affected joints as warm as you can - especially in winter. Have a look at turtle doves for fingerless gloves - I wear mine most of the year and pretty much every evening at home.
It does suck. Sorry you’re getting sore.

I still manage to sew, crochet and most things. You find ways round the bent fingers. Tape and diclofenic gel help. I think crochet may actually help as with all joints movement helps and not moving seizes them up.