What Causes Pain in the Hand Joints?

Overexertion, 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, an inflammation of the tendon sheath caused by repetitive friction of the tendons, resulting in pain.

Osteophyte formation (bone spurs) typically occurs at the distal interphalangeal joints of the fingers, though it may also affect the proximal interphalangeal joints. Key symptoms include finger joint pain, swelling, and palpable bone spurs within the joint. This condition predominantly affects individuals aged 40 years and older. Initially, osteophytes may develop in one or several fingers and gradually involve additional digits. Morning stiffness in the finger joints is common upon waking but is usually brief—lasting less than 20 minutes.

Osteoarthritis results from cumulative mechanical stress and degenerative tissue changes; it is a common joint disorder 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. Primary symptoms include joint pain and stiffness; in more severe cases, joint swelling and muscle atrophy may develop.