Lumps and deformities can appear on fingers for a wide variety of reasons. Sometimes they are not only upsetting to look at but can also be painful, as well as restricting movement in some cases. A hand clinic doctor will have experience in dealing with many different kinds condition, and will be able to advise you on the appropriate course of action.
Osteoarthritis is a very common cause of swelling and deformity of the fingers. Painful lumps appear on the joints and can severely restrict the motion of the fingers. The bones in the joints start to rub against each other causing a great deal of pain, and a visit to a hospital or hand clinic for surgery may be required.
Gout is a slightly less common complaint but nonetheless can cause a lot of pain and distress to the sufferer. It can cause inflammation of the joints, and in appearance it can be very similar to osteoarthritis. Gout may also cause soft lumps to appear in the tissues. A doctor will be able to diagnose this condition by drawing fluid from the affected joint and examining it with the aid of polarizing microscopy. This is something you can discuss at your hospital or hand clinic.
Ganglion cysts are slightly different in that they are painless. Nevertheless, they are unsightly and can cause a great deal of upset to the sufferer. These swellings are soft and gel-like in nature. It used to be the family tradition to bash a ganglion with a large bible, but doctors nowadays prefer to use steroid injections. If the swelling is particularly large or problematic then surgery may be required at the hand clinic.
Sometimes painful lumps can appear on the finger pads. These are known as “Osler Nodes” and are a result of bacterial infection of the heart valves, or bacterial endocarditis as it is called. It is a serious condition which is usually treated with antibiotics very quickly. If not treated quickly enough the heart valves can become damaged and surgery will then be necessary to repair or replace them.
Surgery can also be performed to widen the tendon tunnel, and this will allow the tendon to move freely again. Although mobility will be returned to the fingers it is not without its after effects. Pain following surgery can persist and a return to full dexterity may not happen for several years. Fortunately our bodies are quite resilient and broken bones usually only occur as the result of an accident. If you have broken a finger it will be extremely painful and the first port of call will be the x-ray department to assess the damage. Once the surgeon has determined the severity of the problem he will be able to decide on the best way to operate.
Hence before going to take any decision, you must consult some specialists. In fact, internet is another thing from which you can extract a lot of information which can be of great help for you!