Common Questions About Arthritis

Is Morning Stiffness and Pain in My Fingers the Beginning of Osteoarthritis?

Question: I am a 40-year-old woman. In the last few months I have experienced stiffness and pain in the joints of my fingers. It started with only one finger and has progressed over a couple of months to most of my fingers. The stiffness and pain is most prominent in the morning, but lasts all day now. Is this the beginning of osteoarthritis, and what can I do to slow the progression? Should I see my physician? It's frightening to think about this at my age!

Answer: Your symptoms sound like osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis. It affects many people your age (40) and is more common in women. There is nothing proven so far to actually slow the progression of osteoarthritis. The pain of osteoarthritis is best treated with acetaminophen, such as Tylenol. Sometimes other medications are used as well, if there is significant inflammation present. Definitely see your doctor, both for diagnosis and possible treatments. You should also be doing exercises to strengthen the muscles around affected joints, to relieve pain, and to retain the function of your joints.

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