Do you wake up with stiff fingers every morning? Maybe your fingers are normally fine, but they stiffen up if you haven’t moved them in a while. There are several causes for stiff fingers, 5 of which we’ll explore below. While having stiff fingers is usually not cause for concern, there are instances where finger stiffness could indicate a larger underlying issue. Read on to learn about 5 reasons you may have stiff fingers as well as some remedies that may help with finger stiffness.
- Finger Stiffness Due to Injuries
You may have noticed that it’s harder to move your hands and/or fingers after an injury. Fractures, sprains, bad strains, injuries to tendons or muscles, or dislocations are all hand injuries that could result in stiff fingers. After injuring your hand or finger, you may experience pain, swelling, redness, warmth, or bruising in the affected area. While these are to be expected after a finger injury, they can stiffen fingers and lead to reduced mobility.
- Scar Tissue in Fingers
Scars that form after an injury or surgery could lead to finger stiffness. Deep wounds, cuts, or incisions that result in scars cause scar tissue to build up around the affected area. Excess scar tissue may lead to finger stiffness, especially if the injury was severe.
- Arthritis in the Hands
Arthritis is one of the most common causes of stiff fingers. Although arthritis can occur at any age, most people experience it more as they become older. In addition to finger stiffness, other arthritis symptoms include pain, swelling, and difficulty moving other joints like knees and ankles.
- Dupuytren’s Contracture
Also known as palmar fibromatosis, Dupuytren’s contracture is a hand and/or finger condition that causes the fascia under the skin to gradually thicken, tighten, and form knot-like cords. The cords may be mistaken for tendons due to their strength, but unlike tendons, these cords are not connected to muscles. Instead, they are static and may pull fingers into a stiff, bent position.
- Trigger Finger (Stenosing Tenosynovitis)
Have you heard the term trigger finger before? Stenosing tenosynovitis, the scientific name for trigger finger, is a condition where the protective sheath around the tendons of an affected finger become inflamed. The inflammation prevents the finger tendon from moving around freely, therefore resulting in finger stiffness. While people with trigger finger may be able to move their fingers, they will typically find that movement is rigid and painful instead of smooth.
There are several ways to treat stiff fingers depending on the cause. Certain treatments like splints, casts, and braces may be necessary for severe finger stiffness. Other hand and finger treatment may respond well to hand therapy.
As with all medical conditions, the best course of action is to seek a healthcare professional’s advice. For more information about hand and foot care, we encourage you to visit us at Sorevna.com today.