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    2. Specialties
    3. Orthopaedics
    4. Finger Joint Pain

    Finger Joint Pain

    At Mayo Clinic Healthcare in central London, our orthopaedic specialists assess and treat pain affecting the finger and thumb joints.

    If you have ongoing pain, swelling or stiffness in one or more joints, your specialist will examine your hand and work with you to identify the cause. They will then recommend treatment based on your diagnosis, symptoms and daily needs.

    Finger joint pain can have many causes, including an injury, osteoarthritis and inflammatory arthritis. An accurate diagnosis can help you understand your symptoms and receive the right care.

    • Finger joint pain is pain felt in or around one or more joints in the fingers or thumb.

      It may affect the joints closest to the fingertips, the middle finger joints, the knuckles, or the joints at the base of the thumb. Pain and stiffness can make everyday tasks such as writing, fastening buttons, opening containers, or gripping objects more difficult.

      Finger joint pain is a symptom rather than a single condition. It may develop suddenly after an injury or gradually because of arthritis or another problem affecting the joint. Tendons and other tissues near the joint can also cause pain in the same area.

    • Symptoms can affect one joint, several joints, or both hands. They may start suddenly or develop over time.

      You may experience:

      • Pain or tenderness in or around a joint
      • Swelling
      • Stiffness, especially in the morning or after rest
      • Redness or warmth around the joint
      • Difficulty bending or straightening a finger
      • Reduced grip strength
      • Clicking, catching, or locking during movement
      • A change in the shape of a joint
      • Difficulty with everyday tasks

      The pattern of your symptoms can help your specialist identify the cause. For example, pain after an injury may have a different cause from stiffness and swelling that affect several joints.

    • Finger joint pain can have several causes.

      Common causes include:

      • Osteoarthritis: Changes in the joint can cause pain, stiffness, swelling, and reduced movement
      • Inflammatory arthritis: Conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis or psoriatic arthritis can cause inflammation in the finger joints
      • Injuries: Sprains, fractures, and dislocations can damage a joint or the surrounding tissues
      • Tendon or ligament problems: Strain or damage to these tissues can cause pain near a joint
      • Trigger finger: A problem affecting a finger tendon can cause pain, clicking, or locking
      • Gout: A build-up of crystals in a joint can cause sudden pain, redness, and swelling
      • Joint infection: An infection can cause pain, swelling, and warmth
      • Repetitive strain or overuse: Repeated movements can irritate joints, tendons, and nearby tissues
      • Previous injuries: An earlier fracture or joint injury can lead to pain or arthritis later

      Your consultant will consider your symptoms, health history, and examination findings when identifying the likely cause.

    • Diagnosis begins with a consultation and examination by your specialist.

      Your assessment may include:

      • A discussion about when your symptoms started
      • Questions about any injury or recent change in activity
      • An examination of your fingers, hands, and wrists
      • An assessment of joint movement and hand function
      • Checks for swelling, tenderness, warmth, or changes in joint shape
      • Tests of your grip and pinch strength
      • A review of your medical and family history

      If additional assessment is needed, your consultant may recommend diagnostic tests, including:

      • X-rays, to examine the bones and joints and look for a fracture, previous injury or signs of arthritis
      • Ultrasound, to examine tendons, ligaments, inflammation, and fluid around a joint
      • MRI, to provide detailed images of joints and surrounding soft tissues
      • Blood tests, to look for signs of inflammation or infection and help assess certain forms of arthritis
      • Joint fluid testing, to check for infection or crystals when a joint is suddenly swollen

      The tests you need will depend on your symptoms and examination findings.

    • The right finger joint pain treatment depends on the cause of your symptoms, the joints affected, and how much the pain interferes with your daily activities.

      Many people improve with non-surgical treatment.

      Your treatment plan may include:

      Activity Modification

      Temporarily reducing or changing activities that make your symptoms worse may help settle the affected joint.

      Your specialist or therapist can advise you on how to adapt tasks while continuing to move the joint safely.

      Pain Relief

      Your specialist may recommend pain-relieving or anti-inflammatory medicine when appropriate.

      The right option will depend on the cause of your symptoms, your general health, and any other medicines you take.

      Physiotherapy 

      A physiotherapist may recommend exercises to improve movement, strength and flexibility.

      They may also suggest ways to protect your joints and make everyday tasks easier.

      Splints and support 

      A splint may help support or protect a painful joint.

      Use a splint only as advised by your clinician. Wearing one for too long may increase stiffness or weakness.

      Injections 

      For some conditions, your consultant may recommend a corticosteroid injection to reduce inflammation and pain.

      Injections are not suitable for every condition, and the benefits may be temporary. Your consultant will explain the potential benefits and risks.

      Further Treatment

      A procedure or surgery may be considered if your symptoms are severe, the joint is unstable or other treatments have not helped.

      Mayo Clinic Healthcare in London does not provide surgery. If surgery is recommended, your consultant can refer you to an appropriate surgical specialist and help coordinate your ongoing care.

    • How to relieve joint pain in your fingers depends on what is causing the symptoms.

      While waiting for an assessment, you may be advised to:

      • Reduce activities that make the pain worse
      • Keep the fingers moving gently if movement is comfortable
      • Apply a cold pack wrapped in a towel after a recent injury or when swelling is present
      • Avoid placing ice directly on your skin
      • Remove rings if a finger begins to swell
      • Use a splint only if a healthcare professional recommends one
      • Ask a clinician or pharmacist about suitable pain relief
      • Use tools with larger or adapted handles to reduce strain

    • Seek urgent medical advice if:

      • A joint is hot and swollen and you have a high temperature or feel unwell
      • You have severe pain after an injury
      • Your finger has changed shape or colour
      • You cannot move your finger
      • You have numbness or loss of feeling
      • A wound is deep or bone is visible

      These symptoms may indicate an infection, fracture, or another injury that needs prompt treatment.

       

    • At Mayo Clinic Healthcare, you will receive consultant-led care based on your symptoms, diagnosis and daily needs.

      Your care may include:

      As part of the globally recognised Mayo Clinic network, we combine local care in London with international clinical expertise. Our team will help you understand your condition and support you throughout your care.

    Private health insurance

    Mayo Clinic Healthcare works with all major private health insurance providers, including AXA PPP, Aviva, BUPA, Health Partners Group, Vitality Health and WPA. Self-pay arrangements are also available.

    Book a private assessment

    Consider arranging an assessment if:

    • Your finger joint pain is persistent or getting worse
    • Your symptoms keep returning
    • You have ongoing swelling or stiffness
    • You find it difficult to bend or straighten your fingers
    • Your symptoms interfere with work or everyday activities

    Our specialists can assess your hand, explain the likely cause and recommend finger joint pain treatment based on your needs.

    Request an appointment or call +44 (0) 207 871 2575 to speak with our team.

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    4. Finger Joint Pain