My hands and fingers feel stiff: what should I know?

Morning stiffness, aching, and enlarged finger joints can occur with Hand Osteoarthritis. Stiffness with warmth, swelling, and several painful joints is a common presentation of Rheumatoid Arthritis. A finger that catches, clicks, or locks during bending can be affected by Trigger Finger. Firm cords or lumps in the palm that gradually pull fingers toward it may occur with Dupuytren's Contracture. Recent impact, a cut, or prolonged splint use offers another possible explanation. The timing and exact finger pattern help distinguish these problems.

Warm water can make gentle opening and closing more comfortable when there is no acute injury or marked heat. Move within an easy range rather than forcing a tight fist or straightening a locked finger. Take breaks from repetitive typing, gripping, or tools, and use larger handles where possible. Keep track of morning duration, clicking, swelling, numbness, and tasks that worsen symptoms. A clinician or hand physiotherapist can tailor exercises after checking the joints and tendons.

Seek urgent care after an injury if a finger is deformed, suddenly cannot move, or becomes numb, pale, blue, or cold. Seek prompt advice for a hot swollen joint, fever, spreading redness, or rapidly increasing pain. Arrange an appointment when stiffness persists, repeatedly interrupts sleep or work, causes locking, or is accompanied by swelling in several joints.

Ask which joints or tendons appear involved, whether imaging or blood tests are useful, which movements to practise, and whether a splint would help or restrict recovery. Mention family history, injury, and all affected fingers.