Help for these fingers and an angel drawing

[Mstiles]

I saw my GP to hopefully help for these fingers. My writing is getting worse and drawing is really affected at times. The tendons in the ring and little fingers, both hands but right side is worse, are “catching” on the knuckles when I close them into a fist or grasp a pencil. GP says osteoarthritis or possibly beginning of trigger finger. I don’t have pain. My father had Dupuytren’s contracture but she doesn’t think it’s that. Suggested steroid shot and voltaren gel. Also physical therapy.

Is this caused by inflammation from the autoimmune diseases affecting the tendons in the hands. Or tendonitis? (Not informed on it)

Just wondering if anyone else has had this and what if anything helped.

Currently on 11 mg prednisone.

Also thought I’d post an angel for some good vibrations. I’ve done about 50 of these postcard size watercolors.

[Mstiles]

Couldn’t get my watercolor to post yet. Photos won’t post in the reply.

[piglette in reply to Mstiles]

Just click on the image icon when you choose reply.

Like here.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Mstiles]

Explained in previous post re attaching photos. Are you sure knuckles isn’t rheumatoid arthritis?

[HeronNS]

Replied in your other post. But my trigger finger was completely solved by massaging the right place, instructed by a physiotherapist. I never needed any other treatments. Not painful, but rather disturbing when it happened! This was long before PMR.

[Mstiles in reply to HeronNS]

Thank you Heron, I’m coming to the conclusion that hand therapy may be the answer.

[HeronNS in reply to Mstiles]

Well, I think it's the best place to start. Certainly if it works you avoid extra chemicals in your system, or possibly surgery.

[YuliK in reply to Mstiles]

Have you tried one of those WAX hand baths. ?

They are excellent for helping the pains ...it’s like putting a hot pair of wax gloves on.

versusarthritis.org/about-a...

YuliK 😷

[Mstiles in reply to YuliK]

Actually I have when I injured my hand 4 years ago and went to a specialist hand therapist. Think I’m going to try to track her down. Thanks YuliK.

[Hidden]

At least you can make a fist.

[SnazzyD]

Agree with DL, looks like it could be RA, but you don’t have pain.....hmm. Have you ever had a blood test for rheumatoid antibodies?

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I'd want another opinion to be honest - all I read suggests trigger finger is painful.

[Mstiles in reply to PMRpro]

Who do you think I should go to for a second opinion? Some comments on here suggest RA as a possibility? I don’t have redness and swelling of joints, but do have a lot more hip and sacral pain but GP thinks that is osteoarthritis and hip bursitis recommending steroid shots and topical treatments.

[YuliK in reply to Mstiles]

I think if it’s your groin area and you are in such awful pain. Go first to your GP. She/he will direct you in the right direction.

Good luck.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Mstiles]

For a start I'd want some imaging to confirm it is OA - and anyway, if it is, it may be time to get on a waiting list or surgery! I do get upset about GPs who think they can see through skin and bone ...

[Mstiles in reply to PMRpro]

X-rays? Or other

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Mstiles]

An x-ray would be a start. No doubt it takes forever to get an MRI - even if a GP can order one.

[jobyway]

Hello, not sure if this fits for you but my Rh.st gave me a set of exercises to do am and pm, anticipating that hands and fingers would stiffen up with steroids, post-steroids. Might be worth looking online - difficult to describe, but finger stretches and curls basically to loosen tendons.

[Mstiles in reply to jobyway]

Dry helpful jobyway, thank you!