BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuFinger painPain - fingerFinger pain is pain in one or more fingers. Injuries and many medical conditions can cause finger pain. Considerations Nearly everyone has had finger pain at some time. You may have:Tenderness Burning Stiffness Numbness Tingling Coldness Swelling Change in skin color Redness Many conditions, such as arthritis, can cause finger pain. Numbness or tingling in the fingers may be a sign of a problem with nerves or blood flow. Redness and swelling can be a sign of infection or inflammation. Causes Injuries are a common cause of finger pain. Your finger may become injured from:Playing contact sports such as football, baseball, or soccer Doing recreational activities such as skiing or tennis Using machinery at home or work Doing tasks at home, such as cooking, gardening, cleaning, or repairs Falling Getting into a fist fight or punching something Doing repetitive movements like typing Injuries that can cause finger pain include:Smashed fingers, such as from a hammer blow or a car door that crushes the finger. Smashed fingersSmashed fingers is an injury involving trauma to one or more fingers.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Compartment syndrome, which is severe swelling and pressure in an area of muscles, nerves, and blood vessels. A crushing injury can cause this serious condition, which requires immediate medical attention. Compartment syndromeAcute compartment syndrome is a serious condition that involves increased pressure in a muscle compartment. It can lead to muscle and nerve damage a...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Mallet finger, when you can't straighten your finger. Sports injuries are a common cause. Mallet fingerMallet finger occurs when you cannot straighten your finger. When you do try to straighten it, the tip of your finger remains bent toward your palm....Read Article Now Book Mark Article Finger strains, sprains, and bruises. Finger strainsA strain is when a muscle is stretched too much and tears. It is also called a pulled muscle. A strain is a painful injury. It can be caused by an...Read Article Now Book Mark Article SprainsA sprain is an injury to the ligaments around a joint. Ligaments are strong, flexible fibers that hold bones together. When a ligament is stretched...Read Article Now Book Mark Article BruisesBleeding into the skin can occur from broken blood vessels that form tiny red dots (called petechiae). Blood also can collect under the tissue in la...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Broken finger bones. Broken finger bonesIf more pressure is put on a bone than it can stand, it will split or break. A break of any size is called a fracture. If the broken bone punctures...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Skier's thumb, an injury to the ligaments in your thumb, such as from a fall during skiing. Skier's thumbWith this injury, the main ligament in your thumb is stretched or torn. The ligament is a strong fiber that attaches one bone to another bone. This ...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Cuts and puncture wounds. Cuts and puncture woundsA cut is a break or opening in the skin. It is also called a laceration. A cut may be deep, smooth, or jagged. It may be near the surface of the s...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Dislocation. DislocationA dislocation is a separation of two bones where they meet at a joint. A joint is the place where two bones connect, which allows movement. A disloc...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Certain conditions can also cause finger pain:Arthritis, the breakdown of cartilage in the joint that causes inflammation with pain, stiffness, and swelling. ArthritisArthritis is inflammation or degeneration of one or more joints. A joint is the area where 2 bones meet. There are more than 100 different types of...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Carpal tunnel syndrome, pressure on the nerve in the wrist, or other nerve problems causing numbness and pain in the hand and fingers. Carpal tunnel syndromeCarpal tunnel syndrome is a condition in which there is excessive pressure on the median nerve. This is the nerve in the wrist that allows feeling a...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Raynaud phenomenon, a condition that results in blocked blood flow to the fingers when it is cold. Raynaud phenomenonRaynaud phenomenon is a condition in which cold temperatures or strong emotions cause blood vessel spasms. This blocks blood flow to the fingers, to...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Trigger finger, when a swollen finger tendon makes it hard to straighten or bend your finger. Trigger fingerTrigger finger occurs when a finger or thumb gets stuck in a bent position, as if you were squeezing a trigger. Once it gets unstuck, the finger pop...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Dupuytrens contracture, which causes tissue in the palm of the hand to become tighter. This makes it hard to straighten the fingers. Dupuytrens contractureDupuytren contracture is a painless thickening and tightening (contracture) of tissue beneath the skin on the palm and fingers.Read Article Now Book Mark Article De Quervain tenosynovitis, which is pain in the tendons along the thumb side of the wrist from overuse. Infections. Tumors. Home Care Often, care at home is enough to relieve finger pain. Start by avoiding activities that cause finger pain.If finger pain is due to a minor injury:Remove any rings in case of swelling. Rest the finger joints so they can heal. Apply ice and elevate the finger. Use over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen (Motrin) or naprosyn (Aleve) to reduce both pain and swelling. If needed, buddy tape the injured finger to the one next to it. This will help protect the injured finger as it heals. Don't tape it too tight, which can cut off circulation. If you have a lot of swelling or the swelling does not go away in a day or so, see your health care provider. Small fractures or tendon or ligament tears can occur, and can lead to problems in the future if not treated correctly. If finger pain is due to a medical condition, follow your provider's instructions for self-care. For example, if you have Raynaud phenomenon, take steps to protect your hands from the cold. When to Contact a Medical Professional Call your provider if:Your finger pain is caused by injury Your finger is deformed The problem continues after 1 week of home treatment You have numbness or tingling in your fingers You have severe pain at rest You can't straighten your fingers You have redness, swelling, or fever What to Expect at Your Office Visit The provider will do a physical exam, which will include looking at your hand and finger movement.You will be asked questions about your medical history and symptoms.You may have an x-ray of your hand.Treatment depends on the cause of the problem.Open ReferencesReferencesDonohue KW, Fishman FG, Swigart CR. Hand and wrist pain. In: Firestein GS, Budd RC, Gabriel SE, Koretzky GA, McInnes IB, O'Dell JR, eds. Firestein's & Kelly's Textbook of Rheumatology. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 53.Stearns DA, Peak DA. Hand. In: Walls RM, Hockberger RS, Gausche-Hill M, eds. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018:chap 43.Stockburger CL, Calfee RP. Digit fractures and dislocations. In: Miller MD, Thompson SR. eds. DeLee, Drez, & Miller's Orthopaedic Sports Medicine. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 74.AllVideoImagesTogSelf Care Mallet finger - aftercareTrigger fingerRelated Information Osteoarthritis(Condition)Osteoarthritis(In-Depth) Review Date: 10/10/2020 Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Family Medicine, UW Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. © 1997- All rights reserved. A.D.A.M. content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.Content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.
Finger painPain - fingerFinger pain is pain in one or more fingers. Injuries and many medical conditions can cause finger pain. Considerations Nearly everyone has had finger pain at some time. You may have:Tenderness Burning Stiffness Numbness Tingling Coldness Swelling Change in skin color Redness Many conditions, such as arthritis, can cause finger pain. Numbness or tingling in the fingers may be a sign of a problem with nerves or blood flow. Redness and swelling can be a sign of infection or inflammation. Causes Injuries are a common cause of finger pain. Your finger may become injured from:Playing contact sports such as football, baseball, or soccer Doing recreational activities such as skiing or tennis Using machinery at home or work Doing tasks at home, such as cooking, gardening, cleaning, or repairs Falling Getting into a fist fight or punching something Doing repetitive movements like typing Injuries that can cause finger pain include:Smashed fingers, such as from a hammer blow or a car door that crushes the finger. Smashed fingersSmashed fingers is an injury involving trauma to one or more fingers.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Compartment syndrome, which is severe swelling and pressure in an area of muscles, nerves, and blood vessels. A crushing injury can cause this serious condition, which requires immediate medical attention. Compartment syndromeAcute compartment syndrome is a serious condition that involves increased pressure in a muscle compartment. It can lead to muscle and nerve damage a...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Mallet finger, when you can't straighten your finger. Sports injuries are a common cause. Mallet fingerMallet finger occurs when you cannot straighten your finger. When you do try to straighten it, the tip of your finger remains bent toward your palm....Read Article Now Book Mark Article Finger strains, sprains, and bruises. Finger strainsA strain is when a muscle is stretched too much and tears. It is also called a pulled muscle. A strain is a painful injury. It can be caused by an...Read Article Now Book Mark Article SprainsA sprain is an injury to the ligaments around a joint. Ligaments are strong, flexible fibers that hold bones together. When a ligament is stretched...Read Article Now Book Mark Article BruisesBleeding into the skin can occur from broken blood vessels that form tiny red dots (called petechiae). Blood also can collect under the tissue in la...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Broken finger bones. Broken finger bonesIf more pressure is put on a bone than it can stand, it will split or break. A break of any size is called a fracture. If the broken bone punctures...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Skier's thumb, an injury to the ligaments in your thumb, such as from a fall during skiing. Skier's thumbWith this injury, the main ligament in your thumb is stretched or torn. The ligament is a strong fiber that attaches one bone to another bone. This ...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Cuts and puncture wounds. Cuts and puncture woundsA cut is a break or opening in the skin. It is also called a laceration. A cut may be deep, smooth, or jagged. It may be near the surface of the s...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Dislocation. DislocationA dislocation is a separation of two bones where they meet at a joint. A joint is the place where two bones connect, which allows movement. A disloc...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Certain conditions can also cause finger pain:Arthritis, the breakdown of cartilage in the joint that causes inflammation with pain, stiffness, and swelling. ArthritisArthritis is inflammation or degeneration of one or more joints. A joint is the area where 2 bones meet. There are more than 100 different types of...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Carpal tunnel syndrome, pressure on the nerve in the wrist, or other nerve problems causing numbness and pain in the hand and fingers. Carpal tunnel syndromeCarpal tunnel syndrome is a condition in which there is excessive pressure on the median nerve. This is the nerve in the wrist that allows feeling a...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Raynaud phenomenon, a condition that results in blocked blood flow to the fingers when it is cold. Raynaud phenomenonRaynaud phenomenon is a condition in which cold temperatures or strong emotions cause blood vessel spasms. This blocks blood flow to the fingers, to...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Trigger finger, when a swollen finger tendon makes it hard to straighten or bend your finger. Trigger fingerTrigger finger occurs when a finger or thumb gets stuck in a bent position, as if you were squeezing a trigger. Once it gets unstuck, the finger pop...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Dupuytrens contracture, which causes tissue in the palm of the hand to become tighter. This makes it hard to straighten the fingers. Dupuytrens contractureDupuytren contracture is a painless thickening and tightening (contracture) of tissue beneath the skin on the palm and fingers.Read Article Now Book Mark Article De Quervain tenosynovitis, which is pain in the tendons along the thumb side of the wrist from overuse. Infections. Tumors. Home Care Often, care at home is enough to relieve finger pain. Start by avoiding activities that cause finger pain.If finger pain is due to a minor injury:Remove any rings in case of swelling. Rest the finger joints so they can heal. Apply ice and elevate the finger. Use over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen (Motrin) or naprosyn (Aleve) to reduce both pain and swelling. If needed, buddy tape the injured finger to the one next to it. This will help protect the injured finger as it heals. Don't tape it too tight, which can cut off circulation. If you have a lot of swelling or the swelling does not go away in a day or so, see your health care provider. Small fractures or tendon or ligament tears can occur, and can lead to problems in the future if not treated correctly. If finger pain is due to a medical condition, follow your provider's instructions for self-care. For example, if you have Raynaud phenomenon, take steps to protect your hands from the cold. When to Contact a Medical Professional Call your provider if:Your finger pain is caused by injury Your finger is deformed The problem continues after 1 week of home treatment You have numbness or tingling in your fingers You have severe pain at rest You can't straighten your fingers You have redness, swelling, or fever What to Expect at Your Office Visit The provider will do a physical exam, which will include looking at your hand and finger movement.You will be asked questions about your medical history and symptoms.You may have an x-ray of your hand.Treatment depends on the cause of the problem.Open ReferencesReferencesDonohue KW, Fishman FG, Swigart CR. Hand and wrist pain. In: Firestein GS, Budd RC, Gabriel SE, Koretzky GA, McInnes IB, O'Dell JR, eds. Firestein's & Kelly's Textbook of Rheumatology. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 53.Stearns DA, Peak DA. Hand. In: Walls RM, Hockberger RS, Gausche-Hill M, eds. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018:chap 43.Stockburger CL, Calfee RP. Digit fractures and dislocations. In: Miller MD, Thompson SR. eds. DeLee, Drez, & Miller's Orthopaedic Sports Medicine. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 74.
