What are the Most Common Causes of Finger Pain?

Some of the most common causes of finger pain are an injury, carpal tunnel syndrome, and arthritis. Depending on the genetics of the wounded person, gout might also be likely. Finger fractures are an injury that can cause significant pain that cannot be relieved by anything other than pain relievers and minimal movement of the finger. Carpal tunnel syndrome develops when the hands and wrists are used for constant repetitive tasks like typing. Lastly, arthritis and gout are somewhat similar but caused by different things, though they are both capable of causing finger, foot, or even back pain.

Finger fractures are everyday injuries caused by slipping and falling, slamming the finger in a door, or other common accidents. Besides finger pain, the injured person might observe bruising, limited movement, and swelling when a bone in the finger is fractured. It is highly recommended to see a doctor to set the bone back into its proper place. Otherwise, the finger might always have limited movement, or in some cases the hand can appear deformed. While it is possible to set a bone after it has healed in the wrong place, this requires breaking and healing the bone all over again, which can be quite painful.

Carpal tunnel syndrome is extremely common, especially among people who type or otherwise work with their hands a lot. Doing the same tasks over and over again is believed to cause or at least contribute to the development of this syndrome. People with carpal tunnel often experience pain and tingling sensations when working with their hands. A doctor should be consulted if a person experiences finger pain that might be carpal tunnel syndrome, as there are several treatment options available.

Arthritis is a disease that can affect the joints of the hand and fingers, causing finger pain, stiffness, and sometimes deformities. Severe arthritis might even result in the inability to use the affected limb. While there is no cure for this disease, it can sometimes be slowed, and the person can be given pain and inflammation relievers to manage his or her symptoms.

Lastly, gout is a form of arthritis that usually affects fingers, toes, or other body parts that get less blood flow than most. Some symptoms of gout in the fingers are finger pain, tenderness, and slight swelling of the joint. Genetics and some medications can greatly contribute to the likelihood of a person developing gout.