Arthritis in the fingers is primarily caused by conditions that lead to inflammation, damage, or wear and tear of the finger joints. The main causes include:
- Osteoarthritis: Caused by wear-and-tear damage to the cartilage in the finger joints over time, possibly hastened by joint injury or infection. This deterioration leads to pain, stiffness, and restricted movement as bone may eventually grind against bone.
- Rheumatoid arthritis: An autoimmune condition where the body's immune system attacks the lining of the joints, causing inflammation, swelling, and eventual destruction of cartilage and bone in the fingers.
- Joint injuries: Past injuries such as fractures or dislocations can increase the risk by damaging joint structures.
- Repetitive movements: Jobs or hobbies involving repetitive finger motions (e.g., typing, playing instruments, assembly line work) can stress finger joints and contribute to arthritis development.
- Other forms of arthritis and inflammatory conditions: Psoriatic arthritis and gout can also affect the fingers, causing joint swelling, pain, and deformities.
Additional risk factors raising the likelihood of arthritis in fingers include aging, female sex, obesity, genetic predisposition, and structural joint abnormalities.
In summary, arthritis in the fingers is caused by a mix of degenerative, autoimmune, inflammatory, injury-related, and mechanical factors that lead to joint damage and inflammation.
