The doctor named the reasons for the stiffness of the fingers

Stiffness of the fingers, which persists for several weeks or appears in the morning, can be a signal of serious problems with tendons, joints or nerves. Kirill Masliev, Candidate of Medical Sciences, member of the State Council Commission on Active Long-term Life, Head of the Department of Preventive Medicine at the Rudn University, founder of the Heroes Charitable Foundation, told Izvestia on August 20.

Stiffness of the fingers is not just a sign of fatigue after work or age—related changes. It can be a symptom of various diseases such as Nott's disease, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, or diabetic neuropathy. The cause may also be accumulated microtrauma, which is not always noticed, and inflammatory processes in the tendons and their membranes.

According to the specialist, in the case of Knott's disease, the symptoms develop gradually: first, there is stiffness when flexing or extending the fingers, then painful clicks and a feeling of "snapping" of the tendon. In advanced cases, the finger may be fixed in a bent position, and the pain increases with exertion.

"The risk of developing increases with a monotonous load on the hand — in musicians, seamstresses, programmers, surgeons, dentists, diabetes mellitus and other endocrine disorders, autoimmune processes, as well as with age, when tissues lose elasticity and recover worse. A hereditary background and a general lifestyle are added here, when constant overloads become the norm," Masliev said.

He also noted that finger stiffness, which persists for weeks or occurs every morning, should not be perceived as a "natural" phenomenon. This is a reason to consult a doctor. The sooner the diagnosis is made, the more likely it is to avoid surgery and maintain hand mobility.

Oles Tikhonov, an orthopedic traumatologist and head of the Department of Traumatology and Orthopedics at the MedSwiss network of medical centers, said on August 19 that for joint health, foods such as mackerel, almonds, strawberries, olive oil and broccoli should be in the diet. He noted that salmon, mackerel, sardines, and herring are among the main sources of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, which have anti-inflammatory effects.

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