my fingers on my left hand are swollen and go white when i try to clench my fist, i cant see my index knuckle why is this

[netta]

[oldtimer]

The white shows through the reddened inflammation for me too. This is normal because the skin is pulled tight over the swollen areas.

The main thing is to get the swelling down with the use of drugs for the RA.

[samjam]

I have the same problem and it comes and goes. For me it is normally a sign that RA not under control/flare.

[Hidden]

Sounds a little like my hand was when diagnosed and it's tight all the time now but my physio gave me some good hand and finger exercises and I try to do them everyday. They have helped stop my finger joints from fusing which I think was quite a high risk if I hadn't started the exercises straight away. You have to push quite hard but need to get the exercises off a physio or OT first. Tilda

[lynn-bel]

Hi

As Tilda says, do some ROM exercises (range of movement) - you can get them on Arthritis Care website. This does mean there is inflammation - take paracetemol or rub anti inflamm. gel on. Try cold compresses on, like a flannel soaked in very cold water to bring down inflammation. For pain, put in hot water for a while. But basically it's a flare of the RA i think.

Try the website: arthritiscare.org.uk and you can find a lot of info. there.

But do try stretching gently even if they are swollen, just take it easy on the exercises if the fingers are very bad.

xx