Stiff fingers are a condition that not only makes the fingers suddenly difficult to move or lock in certain positions, but also feel quite painful. This is because the tendons in the thumb or fingers become inflamed.
Tendons are links between bones and muscles in the form of hard connective tissue. When the fingers are moved, the muscles and tendons in the forearm and hand will jointly straighten or bend the fingers.
Usually, this movement can run smoothly. However, under certain conditions, the tendon can become swollen and inflamed. This movement can also pull the inflamed tendon through the tendon sheath that 'seems' to narrow, eventually causing a 'clicking' sound.
Symptoms that appear as a sign of stiff fingers can start from mild to severe symptoms. For example, the fingers are stiff in the morning, at the base of the inflamed finger there is swelling, and the finger makes a 'clicking' sound when moved. Another symptom that may appear is that the fingers suddenly lock in a bent position and are very difficult to straighten. It is also possible that the fingers suddenly lock in a flexed position, but then suddenly return to straight.
Stiff fingers may be caused by forced and repetitive movements of the fingers or thumb. Even so, there are still other causes of stiff fingers, such as gout, diabetes, and diabetes rheumatoid arthritis.
The following is a further explanation of the causes of the appearance of the stiff fingers that you are experiencing.
Osteoarthritis of the Hands
Osteoarthritis or arthritis that attacks the hands, can cause pain in three parts of your fingers. For example, in the middle of the finger joint, the joint closest to the tip of the finger, and the base of your thumb.
If you have osteoarthritis in the hands, the fingers will be stiff, swollen, painful, and even lumps will appear in the stiff finger joints. The pain may gradually subside, but swelling and lumps in the joints may persist.
On the back of the finger (back of the hand) may appear a cyst that is quite painful. Gradually, the inflamed finger may also bend to the side.
Under certain conditions, you may also notice a lump at the base of your thumb near the wrist joint. These lumps can be very painful and make it difficult for you to do simple activities, such as opening a jar and writing.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is a type of arthritis. But do not equate this condition with osteoarthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis caused by an autoimmune disorder, in which the body's immune system attacks your own body's tissues. Whereas osteoarthritis is a condition caused by the use of joints.
Chronic inflammatory disorder that occurs in rheumatoid arthritis can affect small parts of the joints of the feet and hands. Specifically, on the membrane that encloses your joint fluid or synovial membrane. This condition can cause painful swelling and joint deformity and bone erosion.
Rheumatoid arthritis It is more common in women, especially those over the age of 40. In addition to stiff fingers in the morning and after activities, symptoms that appear include swelling of the joints and feeling warm. It can also be accompanied by fever, weight loss, fatigue, a lump appears from the tissue under the skin on the arm.
Symptoms can come and go, and even vary in severity. Rheumatoid arthritis Over time it can cause joint damage and displacement.
goiter (Pgout)
Gout is a type of arthritis that can cause stiffness, pain, and swelling. Gout that has been going on for too long can damage connective tissue, such as tendons, joints, and bones.
If rheumatoid arthritis generally occurs in women, gout generally occurs in men. Gout is caused by too much uric acid in the bloodstream. Actually, not everyone who has high uric acid levels gets gout, it's just that, when uric acid levels are too high, uric acid can crystallize in the joints and cause damage.
Gout can also occur if you drink too much alcohol, are overweight, or eat too much seafood ( seafood ) and meat.
In addition to some of the causes above, diabetes is also one of the causes of stiff fingers. Even so, it is still not clear why diabetes can cause stiff fingers. However, this is thought to be due to nerve damage, which is at high risk for diabetics.
Sudden numbness of your fingers may make you startle and wonder what's really going on. In certain disease conditions, too long ignoring the condition of stiff fingers can spread to other problems. If you experience stiff fingers and experience some of the symptoms from the list of causes of stiff fingers above, immediately consult a doctor.