Swollen, stiff, fairly painful index finger

[SOTM]

I have had this for over a week, and it seems to be getting worse.  I am 33 and in very good health.

The 1st knuckle on my index finger is pretty swollen, stiff and has a fair amount of pain when I bend or touch it.  I have already been to urgent care, and was told it was not infected due to no heat or redness.  I was given Ibuprofen and a splint, told to follow up tomorrow if no improvement.  They sugest bloodwork to test for uric acid or arthritis.  he said possibly gout, but that is usually more painful.  I do eat a high red meat diet, with higher purine foods- ie aspargus and beans.

I do not recall injuring it enough to cause anything like this.  i do crick my knuckles- old habit I am slowly breaking- but that has never given me problems either.  I have started cold compress today and occasional war, Ill see what that does.

Just looking for ideas on what this could be :).

[alexfenton]

There is a test to confirm gout which involves removal of fluid from the joint, and having a rheumatologist examine the sample under a special microscope for crystals.

[pcl1953]

Get tested for iron overload or hemochromatosis.  This often affects the index finger joint.  

[DYLANESQ]

Bingo !!!

Iron overload.

Last night I consumed the following:
A bottle of deep red Shiraz
A 2" thick 8 oz filet beefsteak
Steak cooked on portable Coleman stove in two cast iton frypans with possible rust (iron) .
All the above suggest iron.

What to do now that I have the symptoms? Will try ice and research excessive iron and how to counter it.
Thanks.

[DYLANESQ]

The main form of treatment for hemochromatosis is therapeutic phlebotomy, which involves having a certain amount of blood drawn to remove the excess iron from the body. At first, phlebotomy may be necessary 1-2 times per week until iron levels return to normal. This could take from a few months to over a year, depending on the amount of excess iron in the body. When normal levels are reached, blood must be removed around 2-4 times per year to prevent build up of excess iron.
Following certain dietary recommendations can also help decrease the rate of iron build up. These include avoiding supplemental iron, and limiting the intake of red meat and iron-fortified cereals. Because large amounts of vitamin C enhance iron absorption and cast iron cookware leaches iron into the intestinal tract, vitamin C supplements and cast iron pots and pans should also be avoided. Drinking tannin-rich tea, on the other hand, may help reduce iron-absorption. Remember that dietary restrictions do not cure hemochromatosis. Phlebotomy is still necessary to remove the excess iron that has already built up. To avoid liver damage, alcohol should be limited and raw shellfish should be avoided.

[Db1004]

Also have the exact same.  Finger is slightly swollen and i cant bend it all the way. Feels extremely swollen and tight, but only swollen a little. but No injury to it and xray shows nothing. Did you ever get an answer??

[BumFinger]

I've had this issue on and off for half a year now. I am a heavy drinker and am thinking the purines are causing gout. It comes and goes, middly knucke dominant index finger. I also am an avid drummer though and always attributed it to that. Now I am more worried. I plan to bring it up to my doctor next visit.

[scooterdoctor]

Well I guess I am next. Out of the blue, 48 hours ago, I noticed the knuckle in the middle of my left (dominant) index finger hurt when I tried to bend it. It does not hurt at any other time except when I put pressure on the top of it. Also, it is slightly swollen and I feel pressure, from the swelling, in the knuckle along with the pain when I try to flex it. It is not a stinging pain but a sore pain and only on top of the knuckle. I just turned 60 and have never had anything like this before. Very strange. From what I understand about gout it, the big toe is the usual target but it can happen to any joint. I studied this for a friend that had gout and tart cherry juice helped him get over his bouts of gout so he now drinks the juice regularly. I have some tart cherry juice and I will try that along with some ibuprofen and let you know. Also, for those of you with pain at the base of the finger and or clicking/popping when you bend your finger, what I read points to tendinitis as the problem, which ibuprofen should help with as well.

[Vjeanv]

Ok I'm in your club and I'm 65 .. Just got up in morning and right index finger was stiff and painful when I bend it and it's swollen.. Cannot tell if it's the first knuckle or second.. This getting old is for the birds!! Lol

[hebroots]

64 y/o male.  I have mostly morning stiffness/pain in the center knuckle of my middle finger, non-dominant hand.  It loosens up with time as I work the finger, but bending usually makes a click/pop sound and sensation.  No real swelling or redness indicated.  Many years ago I had this finger bent way back but was not broken.

No similar problems with other joints.  I generally try my hand held massager and some bengay type cream.  Have not tried any NSAIDs for just one joint, but am researching what supplements might help.  I can straighten all my fingers forward in a "knife" position, where the fingers have a slight upward curve, but that joint has some ache to it, but I do that as a "stretch" exercise.

Have not tried any doctor type people.  Same with having anyone work on my car, I learn as much about it as possible on my own first.  I can get RA blood test or most any other type of bloodtest through Life Extension, and they have doctors to consult with as well for free.