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Real members of myRAteam have posted questions and answers that support our community guidelines, and should not be taken as medical advice. Looking for the latest medically reviewed content by doctors and experts? Visit our resource section.

Have any of you felt like your fingers are twisting around your hands when you have the pain in your hands, my hand be throbbing!!!

A myRAteam Member asked a question 💭
South Hill, VA
March 31
 · 
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myRAteam

Do your fingers feel like they're twisting when your hands throb with pain?

Yes, this is a real experience that many people with RA have. A myRAteam member described it perfectly: "Bones feel like they're twisting inside my fingers." This sensation often comes with the throbbing pain you're experiencing.

What you're Show Full Answer

Do your fingers feel like they're twisting when your hands throb with pain?

Yes, this is a real experience that many people with RA have. A myRAteam member described it perfectly: "Bones feel like they're twisting inside my fingers." This sensation often comes with the throbbing pain you're experiencing.

What you're feeling could be related to several things happening in your hands:

Joint inflammation and damage can cause:
- Swelling and stiffness in your knuckles
- Fingers actually bending away from the thumb (called ulnar drift)
- Deformities where fingers twist or bend abnormally

Common hand deformities in RA include:
- Boutonniere deformity (middle finger joint bends and won't straighten)
- Swan-neck deformity (fingers bend in unusual patterns)
- Hitchhiker's thumb (thumb bends outward abnormally)

The throbbing pain happens because RA causes inflammation in the joint lining, leading to swelling and pressure. This typically affects the small joints of your hands first, especially your knuckles.

When to talk to your doctor:

If you're experiencing new twisting sensations or worsening deformities, it's important to discuss this with your rheumatologist. They can assess whether your current treatment plan needs adjustment and may recommend occupational therapy or splints to help manage symptoms and slow progression.

You're definitely not alone in this experience.

March 31
A myRAteam Member

Yes my hands do not show signs of visual inflammation but 24/7 it's hard to open and close them with lots of pain. I've already had a white hand carpal tunnel surgery with two trigger finger releases now a different finger is triggering what a mess

April 10
A myRAteam Member

My hands just recently started, but I was diagnosed with carpal tunnel. I wear splints at nite and it decreases the pain. During the day I stretch my hands and fingers when they are not painful. That helps too.

April 4
A myRAteam Member

My carpal tunnel surgery was in 2020. I originally went to the hand doctor with two trigger fingers on my right hand. She did the nerve conduction study and said I had carpal tunnel. We then scheduled the surgery for carpal tunnel and she trigger finger release all in the same surgery. I can say that my hand in general is stronger post surgery but it's been 6 years now. My trigger finger was the thumb and middle finger and now my ring finger is triggering. In my opinion and in my experience it was worth getting done.

April 21
A myRAteam Member

Thanks for that

April 21

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