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Finger arthritis as the name suggests affects the joints of the fingers. Symptoms of this condition include pain, inflammation, swelling and stiffness of the fingers. Although, initially pain may be felt upon doing some activity, in the later stages of the disease, pain may be felt even at rest. The most common cause of finger arthritis is osteoarthritis. People with osteoarthritis may feel swelling and tenderness in the region around the knuckles and at the base of the fingers. These lumps are formed because of the development of bone spurs due to loss of cartilage. In these patients, knuckles become swollen, tender and stiff. In case of rheumatoid arthritis, the fingers may appear swollen and deformed. The fingers may appear tilted towards the little finger. This is called ulnar drift. This can cause weakness and pain. The patient may not be able to use their hands for daily activities. Psoriatic arthritis can cause the entire finger to swell up. Similarly, systemic lupus erythematosus and scleroderma can also cause all the fingers of the hand to swell. Gout can also cause finger arthritis. In this case, crystals of uric acid accumulate at the joints, making them stiff and swollen. Doctors can diagnose finger arthritis by examining the fingers and joints.
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