Stiff fingers often result from arthritis, but there are other causes. They include tenosynovitis, which causes trigger finger, carpal tunnel syndrome, or an injury. Stretching, home remedies, and medical treatment may help.
A person may experience stiff fingers at a specific time of the day. This may signify a certain condition that can help a doctor make a diagnosis. However, to determine the best treatment for stiff fingers, a doctor must identify the cause.
Various conditions can cause stiff fingers in the morning.
Osteoarthritis is a form of arthritis that results in inflammation around the joints.
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune and inflammatory condition, which means that the immune cells within the body attack healthy cells and cause inflammation in certain parts of the body.
Symptoms can include:
Trigger finger, or tenosynovitis, occurs when the fluid within the protective sheath around the tendons in the affected finger becomes inflamed.
Trigger finger may worsen after long periods of inactivity, such as in the morning after waking up.
Some potential causes of trigger finger include:
There may also be no established cause of trigger finger.
There are numerous possible causes of stiff fingers at night.
Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the nerve that runs from the forearm into the palm called the median nerve, experiences pressure or constriction at the wrist.
A person with carpal tunnel syndrome may experience frequent numbness or a tingling sensation in the fingers, especially in the:
Symptoms often presentTrusted Source at night when lying down. However, as the condition progresses, a person with carpal tunnel syndrome may also experience symptoms during the day, especially during repetitive actions.
Tendonitis occurs due to inflammation and swelling of the tendons. It occurs due toTrusted Source repetitive activities such as playing sports and engaging in manual labor.
Hand tendonitis can cause pain just outside the joint, especially when moving the joint. It can also cause swelling in the affected area.
A person may develop carpal tunnel syndrome during pregnancy. Pregnancy-related carpal tunnel syndrome occurs as a result ofTrusted Source fluid retention. The fluid softens the ligament in the tunnel of the wrist, which can compress the median nerve.
This condition causes symptoms such as:
When diagnosing the cause of finger stiffness, the doctor will likely ask about the person’s activity levels and symptoms. They may also ask about any injuries that occurred in the days leading up to the stiffness.
They may also perform a physical examination to check the range of motion and assess the symptoms.
The doctor may also order imaging tests, such as:
Looking at the underlying structures in the hand can help the doctor identify anything irregular, such as damage.
This helps promote a range of motion in the tendons and muscles. To perform this:
Finger touches promote a range of motion in the thumb. To perform these:
This stretches all of the fingers at once and may help improve the range of motion. To perform this:
This stretch promotes a range of motion in the tips of the fingers. To perform this:
Doctors may also recommend exercises with grip and pinch strengtheners. These soft, springy balls or putty provide some resistance when the person squeezes or pinches them.
Here are some tips on how to use them:
Exercising with these tools is important to increase strength in the muscles of the hands and fingers.
Arthritis or minor injuries are common causes of stiff fingers. In some cases, health issues involving the bones, connective tissues, or muscles in the hand are responsible.
A doctor can diagnose the cause and recommend the best course of treatment. Treatment options include taking pain medications, applying splints to the fingers, corticosteroid injections, and undergoing surgery.
Stretching the hands and fingers can help prevent stiffness, and exercises often complement treatment.