17 Best Exercises for Finger Arthritis

What is the exercise for arthritis in the fingers?

Exercise for finger arthritis is important since it may help with daily tasks and lower your chance of injuries. The right exercises might help you get back into action if your hands hurt, swell, or are tight, making it difficult to perform daily tasks.

Depending on the requirement, physical therapists typically recommend particular exercises for Finger Arthritis. Some treatments increase a joint’s range of motion or use stretching to release tense muscles and tendons.

Other workouts work the muscles surrounding a joint to gain more strength or stamina. If the condition on your fingers is painful or severe, it’s important to consult a physical therapist for treatment options. All exercises should be done gently and carefully to avoid pain and damage.

What is arthritis in the fingers?

The tissues in finger joints are attacked by a medical condition known as arthritis. The smooth surface at the ends of your bones, known as cartilage, or the inner layer of your joint may be targeted by arthritis.

In the end, the cartilage breaks down, exposing the ends of your bones, which rub against one another and degenerate. Due to the numerous joints in your hand, arthritis frequently develops there. Pain, edema, stiffness, and deformity are the results of hand arthritis. As arthritis progresses, you become more unable to perform regular duties with your hands.

Stiff fingers, edema, dullness, aching pain, and weakening in the joints can all be symptoms of early-stage arthritis in the fingers. Slowly but surely, these symptoms worsen with time. The symptoms could be more severe in the morning, as you may have noticed.

What causes arthritis in the fingers?

Although there are multiple causes of arthritis in the fingers, osteoarthritis is the most frequent.

• Osteoarthritis

One type of arthritis that develops over time as a result of the breakdown of joint cartilage is called osteoarthritis. This could be caused by age, trauma, or overuse.

Among the other reasons for finger arthritis are;

• Juvenile arthritis

Children under the age of sixteen who have arthritis are said to have juvenile arthritis.

• Arthritis caused by infection

One kind of arthritis that comes on from an infection is called infectious arthritis.

• Arthritis rheumatoid

A type of autoimmune disease that causes inflammation in the joints is rheumatoid arthritis.

• Gout

A buildup of uric acid crystals in the joints causes gout, a kind of arthritis.

• Psoriatic arthritis

People who have psoriasis, a skin condition, can develop psoriatic arthritis.

Finger Arthritis Symptoms and Signs:

Depending on the type of arthritis you have, your signs and symptoms could vary however, some typical ones are as follows;

• An appearance of redness

Your joints’ surrounding skin may get red and swollen.

• Temperature

Your finger joints could feel warm to the touch.

• Range of motion

You can have a decreased range of motion in your fingers, which would make it harder to carry out daily activities.

• Pain and suffering

This is the most typical sign of arthritis, and it might be minor or severe. The pain could be either dull or severe, like a sharp object.

• Swelling

Your fingers may swell, giving the impression that they are more inflated and larger.

• The rigidity

After periods of inactivity or in the morning, you may find it difficult to flex or move your fingers.

• Deformity

Your fingers may eventually have twisted joints that give them an awkward or malformed appearance.

Location of Arthritis in Fingers:

The following finger regions are affected by arthritis;

• Where your thumb and wrist meet is called the base of your thumb.
• Knuckles.
• The finger joints are in the middle.
• The joint on top of the finger is nearest to the nails.

Treatment for Arthritis in the Fingers:

Although there is no known treatment for finger arthritis, there are some strategies that can help control the condition’s symptoms and prevent its progression. Among these treatments could be;

• Physical therapy

Strengthening the muscles surrounding the injured joints and increasing the range of motion are two benefits of physical therapy.

• Medications on prescription

To lower inflammation and decrease the disease’s progression, prescription treatments such as corticosteroids and disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) can be utilized.

• Surgery

Surgery could be required in certain situations for the replacement or fixing of damaged joints.

Exercises for Finger Arthritis:

Make an ‘O’

Work out your hands multiple times a day with this practice. Try these exercises when you have painful or tense hands.

• Start with your left hand extended and your fingers straight.
• Until your fingertips contact, bend all of your fingers inward.
• Make the letter “O” with your fingertips here.
• Hold this position for a few seconds.
• Then return to your neutral position.
• Then relax.
• Repeat this exercise five to ten times.
• Repeat on the other hand exercise.

Hand clench

Try this whenever your hand starts to feel stiff; it’s a great exercise for finger arthritis.

• First, extend your fingers straight.
• Form a fist with the hand gradually.
• wrapping around your fingers with your thumb.
• Hold this position for a few seconds.
• Then return to your neutral position.
• Then relax.
• Repeat this exercise five to ten times.

Finger spreading Exercise

• Starting from the same starting position as the previous exercise, extend your fingers straight out.
• Move your thumb so that it faces your palm.
• After holding it for a short while, straighten it.
• Bend your middle finger
• Hold this position for a few seconds.
• Then return to your neutral position.
• Then relax.
• Repeat this exercise five to ten times.
• One at a time, repeat with the remaining left-hand fingers.

Thumb Flexion

• First, extend your left hand and maintain a straight grip with all fingers.
• Put your thumb in a palm-facing flexion.
• With your thumb extended, reach toward the base of your little finger.
• If you are unable to reach your little finger, don’t worry.
• Simply put, reach as far as you can with your thumb.
• Hold this position for a few seconds.
• Then return to your neutral position.
• Then relax.
• Repeat this exercise five to ten times.

Finger lift

• Place your left palm down and hold it horizontally on a table.
• Take one finger at a time, starting with your thumb, and slowly lift it off the table.
• Hold this position for a few seconds.
• Then return to your neutral position.
• Then relax.
• Repeat this exercise five to ten times.

Ball Finger Grip

A tennis ball, stress ball, or softball can be used for a variety of exercises.

• Place a firm ball between your fingertip and your thumb.
• For three to five seconds, press and hold, then let go.
• Then return to your neutral position.
• Then relax.
• Repeat this exercise five to ten times.

Table ball roll

• Stretch each of the fingers gradually by rolling a tension ball up from the palm to each thumb and finger individually.
• Return the ball to your palm.
• For a few seconds, repeat.
• Then return to your neutral position.
• Then relax.
• Repeat this exercise five to ten times.

Thumb Stretch

You can raise and hold heavy objects, such as bottles and cans, more easily if you strengthen the muscles in your thumbs.

• With your palm facing down, extend your hand in front of you.
• Gently bend your thumb and put downward toward the base of your index finger.
• Hold for a few seconds.
• Let go and do it four more times.
• Using only your lower thumb joint, slowly extend your thumb across your palm.
• Hold for a few seconds.
• Then return to your neutral position.
• Then relax.

Wrist Stretch

Remember about your wrists: if you have finger arthritis, they may become stiff and painful.

• To work on your wrist, extend your right arm and hold it out palm down.
• Press down on the right hand with your left hand carefully until you feel your wrist and arm stretching.
• Hold this position for a few seconds.
• Then return to your neutral position.
• Then relax.
• Repeat this exercise five to ten times.

Finger extension

You can handle and move heavy objects like cans and bottles more easily if your thumb muscles are stronger.

• Place a hand on a table.
• Secure your hand by fixing a rubber band around the base of your finger joints.
• As much as you can, slowly pull your thumb away from your fingers.
• Hold this position for a few seconds.
• Then release the bend.
• Then return to your neutral position.
• Then relax.
• Repeat this exercise five to ten times.

Finger Stretch

Try this stretch to improve your fingers’ range of motion and to help with pain relief.

• Place your hand on a tabletop or other level surface, palm down.
• Gently extend your fingers as far apart from the surface as possible without putting any pressure on your joints.
• Hold this position for a few seconds.
• Then return to your neutral position.
• Then relax.
• Repeat this exercise five to ten times.

Finger and Thumb touch exercise

By improving your thumb’s range of motion, this exercise can help you with tasks like picking up your toothbrush, fork, spoon, and writing utensils when you’re writing.

• Hold your hand out in front of you while maintaining a straight wrist.
• Gently trace an “O” with your thumb, touching each of your four fingertips one at a time.
• Take a few moments to hold each stretch.
• Then return to your neutral position.
• Then relax.
• Repeat this exercise five to ten times

Full Grip exercise

• Two or three times a week, perform this exercise, taking frequent days off in between.
• As hard as you can, compress a ball in your hand.
• After a short while, release.
• Then return to your neutral position.
• Then relax.
• Repeat this exercise five to ten times.

Wrist turn

• You can choose to sit or stand for these.
• With your palm facing down, flex your elbow to a 90-degree angle.
• Move your forearm in such a way that the palm faces both up and down.
• Then return to your neutral position.
• Then relax.
• Repeat this exercise five to ten times.

Claw Stretch

• Reach out and hold your hand in front of you, palm facing you.
• Hold out your hand in front of you, palm facing you.
• Put your fingertips on the base of each finger joint by extending your reach downward.
• Your hand is supposed to resemble a claw a little.
• Maintain these poses for a few seconds.
• Then return to your neutral position.
• Then relax.
• Repeat this exercise five to ten times.

Palm Press

• Place a firm ball between your palms while keeping your forearms straight.
• For three to five seconds, press and hold, then let go.
• Then return to your neutral position.
• Then relax.
• Repeat this exercise five to ten times

Soft hand Massage

• To give yourself a relaxing hand massage, make short, soft motions toward the palm with the opposing thumb.
• Additionally, massage the fingers by pressing down toward the palms from the tips.
• Never forget to start slowly with any exercise and to stop if it starts to hurt.

An exercise advice:

• Try warming up your hands and fingers before working out if they feel sore or stiff.
• Stretching and moving around may be simpler as a result.
• Apply a heating pad or let them sit in warm water for a duration of five to ten minutes.
• Alternately, apply some oil to your hands, put on rubber gloves, and soak them in warm water for a short while to achieve more intense warmth.

Risk factors for arthritis in the fingers:

Finger arthritis can be caused by the following risk factors;

• The age

As people age, their chance of having finger arthritis rises.

• Gender

Finger arthritis is more common in women than in men.

• Past joint injury

You have an increased risk of developing arthritis in a particular joint later in life if you have had previous damage to that joint.

• Work

Finger arthritis can be more common in certain occupations, such as those requiring repeated hand motions.

• Genetic history

You have a higher chance of getting arthritis if it runs in your family.

• Obesity

Being overweight causes additional strain on the joints, which can cause arthritis.

When to Visit an A doctor:

If you experience any of the following symptoms or indicators, you should consult a doctor.

• Less flexibility in your finger movements.
• Red, warm, or sensitive to the touch joint swelling.
• Abnormality or bony lumps on your fingertips.
• Severe joint pain that does not improve with over-the-counter remedies.
• Additional signs indicate arthritis, like fatigue, fever, or loss of weight.
• Joint stiffness that continues after periods of inactivity or for longer than thirty minutes in the morning.

Is it Possible to Avoid Finger Arthritis?

You cannot prevent finger arthritis. In any case, you may keep an eye out for signs of finger arthritis as you get older and visit your doctor if you notice any changes to your joints. Even so, there are steps you can take to manage individual risks.

Eat healthful foods to support your body and maintain a healthy weight. The pressure on your joints increases when you are overweight, defined as having a body mass index (BMI) greater than 25.

How Can Arthritis Be Prevented in the Fingers?

Individuals might decrease their chance of getting hand and finger arthritis by;

• Avoiding smoking
• Every day do hand exercises
• Following any injury, keep an eye on the hands and fingers.

Summary

Arthritis is a condition characterized by joint inflammation. It can be a highly painful condition. Hand arthritis is especially difficult to treat, but certain exercises can help relieve pain and stiffness. For the most effective effects, include these workouts in your daily routine.

If you find it difficult to perform these exercises, consult a physician. You can receive more specialized exercise recommendations or other pain management treatments from a medical doctor or physical therapist.

FAQ:

References:

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Author: Dr.Bhoomika Bariya