Finger Joint Pain Demystified: It's Not About Age
The computer is the main component of most businesses and companies all across the globe. They are useful in the efficiency and communication fields of business. However, do you realize just how many people sit and work on their computer everyday while suffering from finger joint pain? The answer is millions.
There are three joints in the fingers which include the proximal phalanx, the middle phalanx, and the distal phalanx. Even though these joints are moving while working on the computer, they are working in the same constant motion for hours on end.
This constant same motion is exactly what will cause many problems with not only the fingers but also the hands, wrists, and on up to the elbows. There are millions of these computer users that suffer from some form of Carpal Tunnel.
This syndrome can cause pain and numbness, weakness, tingling, itchiness, and burning on the fingers as well as throughout the hand. This hand and finger joint pain is caused by pressure that is put on the median nerve that is located in the wrist. The only finger that gets away without feeling the pain is usually the little finger.
It is a good idea to make an appointment with your doctor in order to see if you have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. The doctor will take tests such as Tinel's sign, Phalen's maneuver, and a nerve conduction velocity study. These tests will determine if this is the problem of your finger joint pain.
The Tinel's sign test is done by tapping the nerve of the wrist in order to see if there is a tingling sensation that occurs. The Phalen's maneuver test is done by bending your wrists in a forward position to see if the tingling sensation is present.
The nerve test will just test the pressure that is on the nerve within your wrist. This will help the doctor to determine if there is a nerve blocked that is causing the finger joint pain. If you have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, it is very hard to tell visually because the fingers will not be visually swollen but may feel swollen.
There are several different causes, which could create this type of joint pain in a person. These cause include having arthritis, fluid retention if you are a woman who is pregnant or in menopause, hypothyroidism, diabetes, and an injury or trauma that may have occurred.
The main complaint from people who have finger joint pain is the fact that it usually is worse in the evening and night time hours. This pain prevents them from getting a good night's sleep which makes the next day even worse. This type of joint pain is frustrating because it is not chronic. It can be temporary and spark up at any given time.
This can confuse the suffering individual about possibly seeing a doctor or not. Treatments for this type of pain can include surgery, splinting, prescribed or over-the-counter medications, or just basic rest and eliminating some activities. You can also take vitamin B6, which has been shown to lessen the joint pain in fingers.
