HomeHealth TopicsInjuries WoundsFinger Injuries and Disorders
Back to Injuries Wounds
Finger Injuries and Disorders
Reviewed by Medicinsk Expert•Last updated: 2026-10-22•Injuries Wounds

Finger Injuries and Disorders

Fingers and thumbs are essential for daily tasks, and various injuries or chronic conditions can significantly impact their function.

You use your fingers and thumbs to do everything from grasping objects to playing musical instruments to typing. When there is something wrong with them, it can make life difficult. Common problems include:

  • Injuries that result in fractures (broken bones), ruptured ligaments and dislocations
  • Osteoarthritis - wear-and-tear arthritis. It can also cause deformity.
  • Tendinitis - irritation of the tendons
  • Dupuytren's contracture - a hereditary thickening of the tough tissue that lies just below the skin of your palm. It causes the fingers to stiffen and bend.
  • Trigger finger - an irritation of the sheath that surrounds the flexor tendons. It can cause the tendon to catch and release like a trigger.

Frequently Asked Questions

Surgery is typically recommended when conservative treatments like splinting, anti-inflammatory medications, or corticosteroid injections fail to relieve the locking or catching of the tendon. The procedure is usually a minor outpatient surgery that involves releasing the tight sheath around the tendon. Recovery is generally quick, with most patients resuming light activities within a few days and returning to full use of the hand within two to four weeks, although some stiffness may persist temporarily.
While only an X-ray can definitively diagnose a fracture, certain signs suggest a break rather than a sprain. These include significant swelling, bruising, deformity (such as the finger bending at an unnatural angle), inability to move the finger, or severe pain when pressing directly on the bone. If you suspect a fracture, you should immobilize the finger and seek medical attention to ensure proper alignment and healing, as untreated fractures can lead to permanent stiffness or deformity.
Osteoarthritis is a wear-and-tear condition that typically affects the joints closest to the fingertips and the base of the thumb, often causing bony lumps (Heberden's or Bouchard's nodes) and stiffness that is worse after rest. In contrast, rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that usually affects the middle joints of the fingers symmetrically, causing swelling, warmth, and morning stiffness that lasts more than 30 minutes. Rheumatoid arthritis can also lead to joint deformities and requires systemic medication to control the immune response, whereas osteoarthritis is managed primarily with pain relief and joint protection.
The earliest sign is often a small, hard lump or thickening in the palm, usually in the ring or little finger area, which may be painless. Over time, this tissue thickens and pulls the fingers into a bent position. While there is no known way to prevent it, as it is largely hereditary, monitoring for these early changes is important. Treatment options range from injections to surgery, and early intervention can help preserve finger function and prevent the condition from progressing to a severe contracture.
Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

MedlinePlus brings together authoritative health information from the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other government agencies and health-related organizations.

kontakt@hittavard.se

Ⓒ 2024. Alla rättigheter förbehålls av juxt ab

Sök
Om ossVillkor och policyVanliga frågorKontakta oss