What should you know about cure for stiff fingers?

Finger stiffness can follow an injury, overuse, swelling or a period of reduced movement. Hand osteoarthritis may cause aching and reduced flexibility, while rheumatoid arthritis can cause inflammatory stiffness and swelling in several joints. Trigger finger may make one finger catch or lock as it bends. Dupuytren's contracture can gradually pull a finger toward the palm. The pattern, timing and affected joints help a clinician separate these causes.

Keep the hand gently active within a comfortable range, using warm water or a warm pack if that makes movement easier. Avoid forcing a locked or acutely swollen finger. Reduce repetitive gripping and use larger handles or task breaks when possible. After an injury, follow the recommended support plan. A hand therapist or physiotherapist may teach precise exercises, splint use and joint-protection techniques; treatment depends on the cause rather than stiffness alone.

Book a review if stiffness lasts, interferes with dressing or gripping, affects several joints, or is accompanied by swelling, warmth or prolonged morning symptoms. Seek urgent care after an injury if the finger is deformed, numb, blue, severely painful or cannot bend or straighten. A suddenly hot swollen joint with fever also needs urgent assessment.

Which joints or tissues are restricting movement? Do I need an X-ray or blood tests? Should I use a splint or exercises? What changes would suggest inflammation, tendon catching or a contracture?