Severe and persistent pain in the finger joints, accompanied by swelling and progression to other joints, can have several causes. These conditions may be associated with autoimmune diseases, infections, inflammation or degenerative joint problems .
1. Autoimmune Diseases Related to Pain and Swelling in Finger Joints
Autoimmune diseases occur when the immune system attacks the body’s own tissues, causing chronic inflammation. Some of the main conditions that may be related to the symptoms include:
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
- Description: Chronic inflammatory disease that primarily affects the joints, causing pain, swelling, and stiffness.
- Main symptoms:
- Pain and inflammation in the small joints of the hands and feet (often symmetrical).
- Prolonged morning stiffness (longer than 30 minutes).
- Progressive finger deformities in advanced cases.
- Diagnosis: Blood tests (Rheumatoid Factor, Anti-CCP, CRP, ESR) and imaging tests.
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)
- Description: Systemic autoimmune disease that can affect the skin, joints, kidneys, and other organs.
- Main symptoms:
- Joint pain and swelling (similar to RA, but without initial bone destruction).
- Intense fatigue and hair loss.
- Sensitivity to sunlight and rashes on the face (butterfly wing).
- Raynaud’s phenomenon (fingers turn pale or blue in the cold).
- Diagnosis: Blood tests (ANA, anti-DNA, complement C3/C4).
Systemic Scleroderma
- Description: Rare disease that affects connective tissue, hardening the skin and compromising internal organs.
- Main symptoms:
- Hardening and thickening of the skin on the fingers.
- Raynaud’s phenomenon (color changes and pain in the fingers when cold).
- Stiffness and pain in the joints of the hands.
- Diagnosis: ANA, capillaroscopy and clinical examinations.
Sjögren’s disease
- Description: Autoimmune disease that affects the salivary and lacrimal glands, and can also cause arthritis.
- Main symptoms:
- Dry eyes and feeling of sand in the eyes.
- Dry mouth and difficulty swallowing.
- Pain and swelling in the joints, especially in the hands.
- Diagnosis: Blood tests (ANA, anti-Ro/SSA and anti-La/SSB), salivary gland biopsy.
Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis
- Description: Inflammatory skin disease that can progress to arthritis.
- Main symptoms:
- Pain and swelling in the finger joints.
- Nails with a thick and irregular appearance.
- Red, scaly patches on the skin.
- Diagnosis: Dermatological evaluation and blood tests (PCR, ESR).
Spondyloarthritis (e.g. Ankylosing Spondylitis, Reactive Arthritis)
- Description: Group of inflammatory diseases affecting joints and tendons.
- Main symptoms:
- Pain in peripheral joints (hands, feet, knees).
- Pain in the lumbar or cervical spine.
- Eye inflammation (uveitis).
- Diagnosis: HLA-B27 test, MRI of the spine and sacroiliac joints.
2. Other Non-Autoimmune Possibilities
In addition to autoimmune diseases, other conditions can cause pain and swelling in the finger joints:
Drop
- Cause: Accumulation of uric acid in the joints.
- Symptoms: Sudden attacks of intense pain and swelling, usually affecting the big toe, but can also affect the hands.
- Diagnosis: Measurement of uric acid in blood and synovial fluid.
Septic (Infectious) Arthritis
- Cause: Bacterial infection in the joint.
- Symptoms: Intense pain, swelling, local heat and fever.
- Diagnosis: Blood tests, joint puncture for culture.
Tenosynovitis (Tendon Inflammation)
- Cause: Repetitive strain, overuse of hands.
- Symptoms: Pain and swelling when moving the fingers, which may radiate.
- Diagnosis: Clinical examination and ultrasound.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Cause: Compression of the median nerve at the wrist.
- Symptoms: Numbness, tingling and pain in the fingers, which may radiate.
- Diagnosis: Clinical examination and electroneuromyography.
What to do now?
🔹 See a rheumatologist or orthopedist for a detailed evaluation.
🔹 Perform blood and imaging tests (X-ray, ultrasound or MRI).
🔹 Observe if there are other associated symptoms (fatigue, fever, skin spots, dry eyes).
🔹 Keep a diary of pain and swelling, noting if it worsens with cold, rest or movement.
🔹 Avoid overloading the joint and apply warm compresses for pain relief.
