Arthritis occurs in the joints of the body. According to the book "Current Medical Diagnosis and Treatment," both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis affect the joints of the fingers. The two differ not only in their origins but also in their presentation of symptoms. OA, a degenerative disorder, has no systemic symptoms. Its effects happen solely at a joint site. RA, an inflammatory systemic disease, involves the joints but also has far-reaching debilitating effects throughout the body. Distinguishable from each other by certain features, a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis depends on a positive lab test called the antinuclear antibodies test.
OA as the Cause
Sometimes referred to as the "wear and tear" arthritis, OA develops over time as a person ages. Years of repetitive use and normal tissue degeneration in the hands make the fingers a likely place for its occurrence. "Current Medical Diagnosis and Treatment" states that OA strikes people over 40. The joints become stiff and achy, sometimes sticking when trying to bend and straighten the fingers. Identifying OA as the cause of finger pain involves assessment of its joints. The bones at the joints show hard enlargement. The site feels cool to the touch and lacks redness. The more common of the two arthritis conditions, OA demonstrates increasing pain as the day wears on.
RA as the Cause
RA, the more debilitating arthritis, affects body systems besides the joints. According to "Primer on the Rheumatic Diseases," RA has a strong genetic link. RA involves bilateral body parts. Both hands, both feet, both legs, and so on, feel the effects.Three or more joints of the body simultaneously display the symptoms. The fingers feel stiffest and most painful in the morning and the symptoms ease up some during the day. The appearance of the affected fingers differs from those with OA in that the joints feel spongy, red and warm. As the disease progresses, nodules appear at the joints, causing disfigurement. Other deformities that come with RA include the curving of the fingers away from the thumb and the "swan neck deformity," which shows as a dip at the joint closest to the end of the finger.
Injury as the Cause
Fingers work hard every single day. Subject to injury because of their overuse and their small size, fingers suffer breaks, strains, sprains and dislocations. As a result, OA can develop in the connecting joints. Long after the offending injury has healed, a stiff ache may set in and become chronic.
References
- "Current Medical Diagnosis and Treatment"; Stephen J. McPhee and Maxine A. Papadakis; 2010
- "Primer on the Rheumatic Diseases, 11th Edition"; The Arthritis Foundation; John H. Klippel, M.D.; 1997
