Physical changes in the hands and fingers can occur for different reasons. While some cases can indicate a debilitating condition, such as arthritis, other changes are relatively benign and may heal on their own. For best results, talk to your doctor about tests and other diagnosing procedures you can do to find the cause of your particular changes.
Arthritis
Arthritis is a painful condition that often develops in the joints of the fingers, and it is broken down into two types: rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is caused by wear and tear to the protective cartilage coating on the ends of your bones. Although injuries and infections can accelerate the damage of your joints, many cases are caused by aging and gradual degradation over time. Rheumatoid arthritis occurs when the body’s immune system attacks and inflames your joints and synovium -- or joint tissue -- resulting in swelling, pain and redness. While both types of arthritis can affect the hands and fingers, rheumatoid arthritis is the most visible physical change of the two types.
Bone Spurs and Calcium Deposits
Abnormal growths and calcium deposits can occur around the bones of the fingers. Bone spurs, also known as osteophytes, are small fragments that can result from injury or osteoarthritis and can cause pain when they rub against a nerve or other tissue. Calcium deposits are more fragile and may occur as a result of increased calcium levels in the blood. One cause of calcium deposits is excess vitamin D supplementation, causing your intestines to absorb abnormally high amounts of calcium. Both bone spurs and calcium deposits can occur on the fingers in the form of bumps or abnormal growths around the bone.
Aging
Aging is one of the most common causes of physical changes to the fingers. An age-related pigment called lipofuscin can be deposited in the muscle tissues of the fingers, resulting in shrunken muscles that give the appearance of having thin, bony fingers. In addition to losing cartilage, elderly patients can experience a slight thickening of the finger bones, resulting in physical changes around the knuckles.
Safety Concerns
Talk to your doctor for an accurate diagnosis of your finger changes. Depending on your symptoms, certain medications and lifestyle changes may help you manage or treat the underlying cause of your changes.
