Knuckle pain and swelling involves the metacarpophalangeal or finger joints. This can develop due to various conditions that can affect the structures in the knuckles including the skin, nerves, tendons, muscles, bones, joints, ligaments, blood vessels and connective tissues.
Characteristics of knuckle pain
Knuckle pain can be described as sharp, stabbing, throbbing or dull. The pain can also be mild to severe in intensity and develop only at a specific time of the day or if the individual engages in certain activities. The pain might intensify or decrease with movement depending on the cause.
What are the causes?
Some of the usual causes of knuckle pain include the following:
- Soft tissue injury
- Venous insufficiency
Knuckle pain can be described as sharp, stabbing, throbbing or dull. The pain can also be mild to severe in intensity and develop only at a specific time of the day or if the individual engages in certain activities. - Cellulitis
- Blunt trauma or injury to the knuckles
- Infection
- Bone cyst
- Ganglion
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Insect bites
- Venous thrombosis
When to seek medical care
- Persistent or recurrent pain and swelling in the knuckle
- There are injuries that involves significant bleeding and damage to the tissues
- If the knuckle pain and swelling is due to bone infections or infection of the skin and soft tissues that can spread to the entire body.
Management
The treatment is based on the underlying cause of the knuckle pain. Once the cause is identified and treated, the pain will eventually settle. As for persistent cases, medical care must be sought.
Home remedies
- Apply a cold compress or ice pack on the knuckle to lower the pain and swelling
- With a bowl of warm salt water, soak the affected hand to alleviate the pain and swelling as well as the stiffness.
- Over-the-counter pain medications and NSAIDs can be given to reduce the discomfort and swelling.
- Mild massage can help reduce the knuckle pain and swelling.
Disclaimer / More Information
The information posted on this page on knuckle pain is for learning and educational purposes only. To learn to manage joint and muscle injuries, register for first aid training at one of our training centers located throughout Canada. The training centers are in Edmonton, Calgary, Vancouver, Kelowna, Surrey, Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa and Halifax.