health sectionhealth sectionArthritis affects one in five people. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, arthritis limits activities of nearly 19 million adults. The disease strikes at any age and any part of the body, primarily affecting bones, joints and connective tissue. When arthritis affects fingers, the joint disease causes problems in ordinary tasks at home and work. Typically, signs and symptoms of finger arthritis are due to aging, rheumatic disease or injury.
The distal interphalangeal (DIP) joints are those small joints in the fingers that are closest to the nails. Arthritis in the distal joint is a rare disorder and primarily occurs in men as a result of a genetic disorder, or from overuse. People with symptoms of DIP joint arthritis usually have other arthritic conditions.
According to the Institute of Integrative Healthcare Studies about two out of three Americans will have arthritic symptoms as they age (See Resources). Because there are 27 bones in each hand, arthritis of the fingers and thumbs is a common disability as there are so many finger joints where arthritis may develop. What's more, humans use their fingers for more activities than most body parts, adding to the problem. That's why finger and thumb arthritis can be so debilitating as it limits the ability to do everyday tasks.
