What should I do for swollen and painful fingers caused by rheumatoid arthritis?

Generally, swelling and pain in the fingers associated with rheumatic arthritis may result from factors such as excessive hand strain, exposure of the hands to cold, tenosynovitis, synovitis, or joint effusion. Patients may choose among general measures, pharmacological treatment, or surgical intervention based on their specific condition to alleviate symptoms. A detailed analysis follows:

1. Excessive Hand Strain

Prolonged, repetitive hand activity places continuous mechanical stress on finger joints, impairing local blood circulation and leading to mild swelling and pain. Reducing hand-loading activities, performing gentle finger exercises, and applying light local massage can effectively relieve discomfort.

2. Cold Exposure to the Hands

Long-term contact with cold water or low-temperature environments induces vasoconstriction and muscle/joint tissue spasm due to cold stimulation, thereby triggering swelling and pain in the fingers. Promptly keeping the hands warm—such as by soaking them in warm water—and avoiding cold environments are recommended.

3. Tenosynovitis

Repeated friction within the finger tendon sheaths leads to aseptic inflammation; inflammatory mediators irritate surrounding tissues, causing finger swelling, pain, and stiffness. Under medical guidance, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as diclofenac sodium sustained-release tablets, celecoxib capsules, or meloxicam tablets may be prescribed, along with restriction of frequent finger flexion and extension.

4. Synovitis

Inflammatory stimulation causes hyperplasia and congestion of the finger joint synovium, resulting in intra-articular fluid accumulation, swelling, and persistent pain. NSAIDs—including etoricoxib tablets, loxoprofen sodium tablets, or enteric-coated indomethacin tablets—may be administered per physician instruction. In cases of substantial effusion, joint aspiration may be performed.

5. Joint Effusion

Progressive intra-articular inflammation leads to increasing fluid accumulation, compressing periarticular tissues and causing marked swelling, pain, and impaired finger mobility. Medications such as nimesulide dispersible tablets, amoxicillin-clavulanate potassium tablets, or roxithromycin capsules may be prescribed under medical supervision. For refractory cases, synovectomy may be considered.

In daily life, it is essential to protect the hands from cold and maintain warmth, avoid prolonged high-intensity hand use, perform moderate finger-joint functional exercises, and seek timely medical intervention for persistent swelling or pain to slow disease progression.