Pain between the fingers that occurs while stretching your hand can be frustrating, making even a simple motion such as grasping a water glass difficult. It can be due to a variety of injuries and medical conditions. Because pain can be debilitating, it is important to understand why it occurs and how it can be treated.
Symptoms
Pain between the fingers and joints can vary from mild to severe. It can occur during or after stretching and other movements. Besides pain, you may experience additional symptoms such as stiffness, tenderness when you place pressure on the fingers, swelling, warmth, inflammation and skin discoloration. You can also sometimes feel or hear a grating sound when you stretch the fingers or notice extra pieces of bone around the finger joints that look like hard lumps beneath the skin.
Causes
Pain between the fingers while stretching can develop if you overuse the tendons and joints of the fingers with repetitive movements such as typing or by exercise. Pain can also be due to fractures, sprains or strains caused by forceful finger exertion or sudden changes of direction. A fall or high-impact collision with an object can also result in pain between the fingers. Some medical conditions such as osteoarthritis and Raynaud's phenomenon can also cause pain between the fingers during stretching.
Home Treatment
Rest your fingers for about 48 hours, refraining from activities that put stress on your fingers and joints. Place an ice pack against the sore area for about 20 minutes at a time to help reduce swelling and pain. Take acetaminophen or ibuprofen to help relieve pain. Do not overexert yourself; always take breaks as needed and gently stretch your fingers often. Visit a doctor if you suspect a serious injury or have severe pain.
Warnings
Pain between the fingers, especially if caused by a fracture or degenerative disease such as osteoarthritis, can worsen if left untreated. Seek medical attention if pain is severe, your fingers suddenly change color, you develop sores or a rash on your hands, have a fever or experience swollen joints. These could be symptoms of a serious medical complication such as gangrene or ulceration.
Member Comments