{"id":3875,"date":"2022-08-23T09:00:58","date_gmt":"2022-08-23T01:00:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/asiamd.com\/?p=3875"},"modified":"2025-08-22T16:40:36","modified_gmt":"2025-08-22T16:40:36","slug":"my-fingers-are-swollen-and-painful-is-it-a-sprain-or-arthritis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/asiamd.bqubetech.com\/ms\/2022\/08\/23\/my-fingers-are-swollen-and-painful-is-it-a-sprain-or-arthritis\/","title":{"rendered":"My fingers are swollen and painful \u2013 is it a sprain or arthritis?"},"content":{"rendered":"

This article has been verified medically<\/span><\/em> by Dr Tan Ter Chyan<\/a>, <\/i><\/span>hand surgeon at Hand Surgery Associates, Mount Elizabeth Novena Specialist Centre (Singapore).<\/i><\/span>
\nAbout the Doctor<\/a><\/p>\n

Sprained fingers may feel like arthritis, but there are several differences that set both conditions apart. <\/span><\/p>\n

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Differences and causes<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n


\nSprains tend to be sudden and caused by injury\u2014often in the course of work, while indulging in hobbies or playing ball sports such as basketball and cricket. In general, finger sprains should not last longer than three weeks. <\/span>Persistent <\/span>pain indicates more than a sprain and should be examined by a doctor.<\/span><\/p>\n

In contrast, arthritis is brought on by inflammation of the joints and often progresses gradually. <\/span>Some may observe that symptoms remain stable for years<\/span><\/a> before getting worse, while certain rare conditions like rapidly destructive arthritis could destroy joints in a matter of months.<\/span><\/p>\n

Common causes of arthritis include hereditary factors, injury, autoimmune diseases and infection. To make a diagnosis, doctors often look out for:<\/span><\/p>\n