Stiff Hands in the Morning

Causes of Morning Hand Stiffness

Morning hand stiffness is a common symptom that can be caused by a variety of conditions. Osteoarthritis, psoriatic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, stenosing tenosynovitis, Dupuytren’s contracture, carpal tunnel syndrome, and scleroderma are some of the most common causes of morning hand stiffness.

Arthritis

Arthritis is a category of diseases that cause pain, swelling, or inflammation in a joint, including those of the hand and fingers. Three of the most common types of arthritis include:

• Osteoarthritis (OA): This is the most prevalent cause of morning hand stiffness, and it occurs when cartilage covering a joint begins to wear away over time. The stiffness is greatest in the morning and tends to ease as the day goes on.
• Psoriatic arthritis (PsA): This is an autoimmune form of arthritis associated with psoriasis. It can affect the smaller joints of the hand symmetrically, causing sausage-like finger swelling known as dactylitis.
• Rheumatoid arthritis (RA): This is another autoimmune form of arthritis in which the hands and wrists are commonly affected. Skin redness caused by the dilation of blood vessels around the joints is often the first sign of RA in the hands, accompanied by joint pain, stiffness, and swelling.

Stenosing Tenosynovitis

Stenosing tenosynovitis, also known as trigger finger, occurs when connective tissues in your finger become inflamed. The tendons responsible for bending your fingers are enclosed in tunnels called sheaths that allow them to glide freely. Occasionally, a sheath can become inflamed and swollen, restricting the movement of the tendon. Trigger finger causes stiffness or the locking of fingers, particularly in the morning after a period of nonuse.

Dupuytren’s Contracture

Dupuytren’s contracture occurs when the layer of tissue under your skin called the fascia becomes fibrous and thick. The condition primarily affects the palm and base of the fingers, leading to worsening stiffness and a claw-like deformity in the hands over time. The stiffness caused by Dupuytren’s contracture tends to be ever-present but may be more noticeable in the morning when you try to dress or perform tasks requiring fine motor skills.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the median nerve, which travels through the carpal tunnel in the wrist, becomes compressed or inflamed. When this happens, you can experience numbness, tingling, and stiffness in your hand or fingers. Although the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome may be present day or night, they tend to be worse when you first wake up in the morning.

Scleroderma

Scleroderma is an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation and thickening of the skin and other tissues. Scleroderma causes the overproduction of collagen, the structural protein that makes up your skin, muscles, bones, and connective tissues. The initial stages of scleroderma involve swelling of the fingers, which can become hard, shiny, tight, and progressively more difficult to bend. Many people with scleroderma experience hand stiffness that is worse in the morning.

Conclusion

Morning hand stiffness is a common symptom that can be caused by a variety of conditions, including osteoarthritis, psoriatic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, stenosing tenosynovitis, Dupuytren’s contracture, carpal tunnel syndrome, and scleroderma. It is essential to consult a specialist, such as a rheumatologist, to diagnose the underlying cause of morning hand stiffness and develop an appropriate treatment plan.

FAQs

Q: What is the most common cause of morning hand stiffness?
A: Osteoarthritis is the most prevalent cause of morning hand stiffness.

Q: What are the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis in the hands?
A: Skin redness caused by the dilation of blood vessels around the joints is often the first sign of RA in the hands, accompanied by joint pain, stiffness, and swelling.

Q: What is trigger finger?
A: Trigger finger is a condition that occurs when connective tissues in your finger become inflamed, restricting the movement of the tendon.

Q: What is Dupuytren’s contracture?
A: Dupuytren’s contracture is a condition that occurs when the layer of tissue under your skin called the fascia becomes fibrous and thick, leading to worsening stiffness and a claw-like deformity in the hands over time.

Q: What is carpal tunnel syndrome?
A: Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition that occurs when the median nerve, which travels through the carpal tunnel in the wrist, becomes compressed or inflamed, causing numbness, tingling, and stiffness in the hand or fingers.