Osteoarthritis

Trailrun23 · ‎05-31-2022

I have been dealing with a very swollen finger joint for a month. It hasn't been injured or anything, just swollen and painful. We had a cold front come in with the first cold weather of the season...and my finger got worse. Called to see pcp and they can't see me until January....does this sound like arthritis? I don't know how to treat it until I can see the dr. I can still move the finger okay but it hurts. Tylenol doesn't help, nor does Aleve or ice packs.

rockygems123 · ‎06-04-2012

@Trailrun23 wrote:
I have been dealing with a very swollen finger joint for a month. It hasn't been injured or anything, just swollen and painful. We had a cold front come in with the first cold weather of the season...and my finger got worse. Called to see pcp and they can't see me until January....does this sound like arthritis? I don't know how to treat it until I can see the dr. I can still move the finger okay but it hurts. Tylenol doesn't help, nor does Aleve or ice packs.

@Trailrun23

Maybe check online see if any supplements or food choices suggested? I have friends that take tumeric for relief and for me personally eliminating carbs & sugar helps my joints.

Kachina624 · ‎03-10-2010

@Trailrun23 Get a tube of Voltaren and rub A dab on your finger whenever its bothering you. I've got 10 fingers that ache to different degrees at different times. It helps.

New Mexico☀️Land Of Enchantment

tansy · ‎01-02-2011

Ditto to what @Kachina624 @said, @Trailrun23.

It sounds like osteoarthritis to me. Do you think the joint is infected?

Snowpuppy · ‎03-09-2010

You can always soak your hands in a warm or hot epsom salts in the sink or deep bowl.

Treat youself to a good hand massage and lay a warm, damp towel over your hands when done.

Keep in mind Voltaren is an NSAID so be mindful of any other pain relievers you are taking if you decide to use it.

Nonametoday · ‎03-09-2010

@Trailrun23 wrote:
I have been dealing with a very swollen finger joint for a month. It hasn't been injured or anything, just swollen and painful. We had a cold front come in with the first cold weather of the season...and my finger got worse. Called to see pcp and they can't see me until January....does this sound like arthritis? I don't know how to treat it until I can see the dr. I can still move the finger okay but it hurts. Tylenol doesn't help, nor does Aleve or ice packs.

@Trailrun23

Get one of the Voltaren or other NSAID creams that you rub on which will not get "invade" your systems like taking an oral medication will. Rub some on it. Once might not work, but several times as directed on the tube and see if that helps. If it is arthritis, it will give relief but likely will not "cure" it (sotospeak). It sounds as though it could be arthritis or other vascuitides. Have you tried Tylenol-Arthritis?

KathyM23 · ‎11-20-2010

@Trailrun23 Instead of waiting until January to see your pcp, I would just go to urgent care and be seen right away. The waiting times to see your doctor is just getting ridiculus. Urgent care can help you right away to relieve some of your discomfort and keep your pcp appointment in January for their recommendation or referral to specialist.

My pnc now belongs to a management company and they keep 6 open appointments everyday to get a same day appointment with a dr or PA. Only thing is they open at 7:30 a.m. and it is first come first served.

I called at 10:30 needing an appointent to see my dr or her Pa and was told they had no appointments for a month and suggested the above same day procedure. Well, my response was I am sick now, on the phone now and need to see my dr and obviously she has time tomorrow so why cant I see her, I'm sick. I got transferred to the office manager and was given an appointment the next day. Sometimes it pays to be persistant.

hckynutjohn · ‎06-15-2015

@Trailrun23

I have had Osteoarthritis in 3 fingers on each hand for several decades now. They have never swelled, but they do get worse if I use them, especially something that requires me to grip something for a sustained period of time.

Some mornings those fingers are almost froze shut. I have to fill our sink with really warm water and let them soak. I drain and reheat the water until I can move my fingers in an out while in the water.

After that I keep opening and closing them until they move pretty freely. I cannot take any anti-inflammatories or NSAIDS, Tylenol is about it. Topical creams do nothing, and I have tried many of them.

Since you have not yet been diagnosed by your doctor, it could possibly be something other than Osteoarthritis. I have this in many parts of my body, and I have never had any of those areas swell up on me.

Hope you find something that helps you.

hckynut 🥅🏒

hckynut(john)