What Causes Pain in the Hand Joints?

Overexertion, repetitive strain injuries, or exposure to cold and dampness are the most common causes of finger joint pain. Individuals who perform prolonged manual tasks involving the fingers are particularly prone to developing tenosynovitis— inflammation of the tendon sheath resulting from repeated friction of the tendons—leading to pain. Osteophyte formation (bone spurs) typically occurs at the distal interphalangeal joints (DIP joints) of the fingers, though it may also affect the proximal interphalangeal joints (PIP joints). Primary symptoms include finger joint pain, swelling, and palpable bony spurs within the affected joints.

This condition predominantly affects individuals aged 40 years and older. Initially, osteophyte formation may involve one or several fingers, subsequently progressing to involve additional digits. Upon waking in the morning, affected individuals often experience brief episodes of joint stiffness—typically lasting less than 20 minutes.

Osteoarthritis is a common degenerative joint disorder caused by cumulative mechanical stress and tissue degeneration, frequently affecting the distal and proximal interphalangeal joints of the hands. It commonly occurs in middle-aged and elderly individuals who are overweight or obese. Key clinical manifestations include joint pain and stiffness; in more advanced cases, joint swelling and muscle atrophy may develop.