Symptoms and evaluation
Common symptoms include aching or sharp joint pain, swelling, stiffness, reduced motion and enlargement or deformity of the affected joint. The DIP, PIP and MCP joints can be affected for different reasons, and the specific joint involved helps guide evaluation.
Treatment options
Treatment may include activity modification, splinting, therapy, medication when appropriate and injections in selected cases. When symptoms remain limiting, surgical options depend on the joint, arthritis pattern, stability and functional needs and may include joint-preserving procedures, fusion or arthroplasty.
Recovery and return to activity
Recovery depends on the joint and procedure. Treatment aims to balance pain relief, stability, motion and hand function based on the patient’s priorities.
When to seek evaluation
Persistent pain, numbness, weakness, loss of motion, deformity or symptoms that interfere with sleep, work or daily activities are reasonable reasons to seek an orthopedic evaluation. Urgent injuries with severe deformity, open wounds or compromised circulation require prompt medical attention.
Common questions
Finger arthritis treatment differs by joint. A painful end joint may have different surgical options and functional tradeoffs than arthritis of a PIP or MCP joint, so treatment is tailored to the specific anatomy.
Specialized upper-extremity care
Dr. Devin W. Collins is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with fellowship training in hand, upper-extremity and microvascular surgery. Treatment recommendations are individualized to the diagnosis, severity, goals and needs of each patient.