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What Causes Pain In Left Hand At Knuckle Area?
Question: I have been experiencing pain in my left hand at the knuckle area only when bending my finger and was wondering if this could be arthritis. I play a lot of sport and think this could be the reason as well if so is there anything I can take or do to ease the pain.
Brief Answer:
It could be arthritis or other things as well.
Detailed Answer:
Sorry you are having this pain. Can you please tell me - which finger is affected on your left hand, and did the problem come on abruptly?
We are seeing osteoarthritis (degenerative joint disease) - the type that is generally referred to just as "arthritis" - in younger aged people now, in the lower joint of thumbs, likely related to texting.
Both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis cause pain, stiffness, sometimes swelling. RA is more likely to affect both hands at the same time and, as it is an autoimmune disease, people can have fevers or feel generally not well. Osteoarthritis does not do this. It is from wear and tear of a joint and can affect just one joint and does not cause generalized symptoms.
A history of previous break or sprain is a common cause of finger joint pain.
And while gout usually affects the big toe, it can affect fingers too, but this is less common.
Initial treatment is non steroidal anti-inflammatory medication - providing that you do not have problems with stomach/duodenal ulcers or have impaired kidney function, or an allergy to NSAIDs.
For acute pain, I usually start people on ibuprofen 300 mg 3x/day, taken with food (actually - eat the food first so that the medicine doesn't sit on your stomach lining). You can try a lower dose to start with if you prefer to see if you don't need this higher dose. You can also try naproxen instead of ibuprofen - follow the directions on the package - both meds are over the counter, or you can get a prescription.
You can also apply heat to the joint before using it in sports, and then ice it immediately afterwards.
If the ibuprofen or naproxen does not give you adequate relief in 7-10 days, please go see your doctor for further evaluation.
I hope this information helps.
It could be arthritis or other things as well.
Detailed Answer:
Sorry you are having this pain. Can you please tell me - which finger is affected on your left hand, and did the problem come on abruptly?
We are seeing osteoarthritis (degenerative joint disease) - the type that is generally referred to just as "arthritis" - in younger aged people now, in the lower joint of thumbs, likely related to texting.
Both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis cause pain, stiffness, sometimes swelling. RA is more likely to affect both hands at the same time and, as it is an autoimmune disease, people can have fevers or feel generally not well. Osteoarthritis does not do this. It is from wear and tear of a joint and can affect just one joint and does not cause generalized symptoms.
A history of previous break or sprain is a common cause of finger joint pain.
And while gout usually affects the big toe, it can affect fingers too, but this is less common.
Initial treatment is non steroidal anti-inflammatory medication - providing that you do not have problems with stomach/duodenal ulcers or have impaired kidney function, or an allergy to NSAIDs.
For acute pain, I usually start people on ibuprofen 300 mg 3x/day, taken with food (actually - eat the food first so that the medicine doesn't sit on your stomach lining). You can try a lower dose to start with if you prefer to see if you don't need this higher dose. You can also try naproxen instead of ibuprofen - follow the directions on the package - both meds are over the counter, or you can get a prescription.
You can also apply heat to the joint before using it in sports, and then ice it immediately afterwards.
If the ibuprofen or naproxen does not give you adequate relief in 7-10 days, please go see your doctor for further evaluation.
I hope this information helps.
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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