Swollen, bruised knuckles - and not from punching anyone!!

[miam]

One of the knuckles on my right hand has been becoming very painful and swollen off and on. It looks bruised and is sore to touch and move. I read up about arthritis (paranoid!!) which said that a symptom is that the joint is often hot and inflamed, which mine is not - just very bruised. Does anyone have any idea what this can be?

do you get tendons round your knuckles? have you pulled one and not realised it? job for the quack me thinks?

Have no idea Frizbe. It's weird because I had it last week and just thought I had bashed my hand off something and then it cleared up. But today it has flared up really badly again! I hate bothering the doc for something that seems so trivial, but perhaps I should get it looked at.

Could it be bursitis?

miam, is it your mouse finger? It could be bursitis, or some other form of RSI. You need to have it checked out.

Yep get it checked out!

WWB - thought your were joking when you asked if it was my mouse-finger lol. But yes - it is!!!! Have had a look at bursitis and it does sound like it may be some kind of RSI (can I sue MN for being too addictive???). Thanks a lot both. xx

Get it checked out quickly, miam. I have had RSI for 10 years, take it from someone who (unfortunately) knows ... it needs looking at. Stop using the mouse for a bit if you can, take lots of breaks from the computer altogether, at least once every 2 hours move away from the desk for ten minutes.

Lots of rests from MN - is it possible???? Thanks WWB. I think I'm getting old - have had more aches and pains this last year than in my entire life boo hoo. Will I need medication for it or is it something you just have to live with?

I just have to live with it - medication doesn't help. I have some splints which I used at first, but the only thing that really helps is rest - in my case it was too late.