possible misdiagnosis?

My mom says that her Osteoarthritis does NOT cause her hands to become red, hot, and swollen every morning.
She says they become stiff, swollen, and painful.
I just read elsewhere that her symptoms are typical of osteoarthritis...mine are not. In fact, the article said that red and hot are not signs of osteoarthritis at all, but they could be symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, major organs shutting down, allergies, etc.
My doctor looked at my hands one day and said that I had osteoarthritis...they were "normal" that day.
I have had big knuckles since I was a child...and I am " skinny as a rail" , which makes the knuckles look even bigger.
I don't get  pain in my knuckles,( unless you consider the feeling of tightness to be painful)...but it's the entire hand and not just the fingers. They don't get stiff, but I can't make a fist because the skin is too tight from the swelling.
This is the 5th time in my life ( and always in Spring ) when I have started getting up in the morning with swollen, red, sweaty fingers and palms.
During the winter months ( which is 9 out of the 12 months here ) my hands are fine...cold and clammy, but otherwise fine.
I'm starting to think that I'm allergic to dirt or something...as it mainly seems to start up once I've been digging in the dirt getting the garden ready for planting.  Perhaps it's from overuse of the hands?
Is it possible the doctor misdiagnosed me?
He ran an osteoporosis test on me ( a technician ran some sort of  xray machine across the left side of my body) and the results showed nothing. Just wondering if that makes a difference.
Sorry for all the questions, but I just want to be sure ( due to lack of some symptoms ) that it is indeed this and not something else causing the grief...such as allergies.
Thanks for your patience.

[S. Kaul, MD]

Hi there!

Well, without a detailed clinical evaluation it would be difficult to comment on the situation. Though misdiagnosis is a possibility, osteoarthritis may need to be considered in the list as well. Other possible causes include allergies, inflammations, RA, autoimmune conditions, connective tissue disorders etc. You may consider a detailed evaluation by a rheumatologist for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate management, if required.
Hope this is helpful.

Take care!

[nellietheelephant]

your right that red and hot joints reflect inflammation. osteoarthritis isnt inflammatory, its wear and tear. so doesnt sound light that.

tight skin on your hands/feet and swelling can be a sign of scleroderma. you should look it up and see if it sounds like that at all. soudns more like a connective tissue thing.
if it doesnt get better go back and ask for referal to rhemm?