What should you know about morning stiffness of fingers?

Stiffness in one finger with catching or locking can be a presentation of trigger finger. A cord or tightening skin in the palm may occur with Dupuytren's contracture. Hand osteoarthritis can cause aching and stiff joints, while rheumatoid arthritis often presents with inflammatory stiffness and swelling in several joints.

These patterns are clues, not a diagnosis. Record which joints feel stiff, whether both hands are involved, whether swelling or warmth is present, and how movement changes as the morning goes on.

Warm water and slow opening-and-closing movements can ease stiffness for some people. Avoid forcing a locked finger or gripping hard through pain. If symptoms continue, interfere with work, or are accompanied by swelling, arrange an assessment; treatment depends on whether the problem involves a joint, tendon, or palm tissue.

Bring a list of medicines and any photographs showing swelling at its most noticeable. This can help the clinician compare changes over time.

Seek urgent care after an injury if a finger is visibly deformed, numb, blue, or impossible to move. Prompt medical review is appropriate for a hot, red, very swollen joint, fever, rapidly increasing pain, or stiffness with a sudden loss of hand function.

Ask which joints or tendons are involved, whether tests are needed for inflammation, how to protect hand function, which exercises are safe, and what symptoms would require an earlier appointment.