What could cause sudden stiffness in fingers?

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Well, a sudden onset either looks like a nerve, joint or blood vessel problem. I would like to ask you a few more queries:

1. Where exactly is the pain, at the base of the fingers, the tip or all of it?
2. Do all your fingers hurt, or is it only the first and the second?
3. Did you notice any color changes?
4. Do you feel tingling and numbness?
5. Does the pain get worse with activity or at rest?
6. Does it hurt in the mornings?
7. Do you have neck pain?
8. Are you able to form a grip?

We need to figure out where exactly the pain is arising from, as the management will change accordingly. I will guide you to further tests upon receiving this information from you.

I hope this helps.

Please feel free to reach out in case of further queries.

Thank you.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Well, from your history, it does not look like a nerve or blood vessel problem. So, either we are dealing with a joint or tendon problem.

Since it is focused near the thumb base and gets worse on lifting your daughter or when opening jars, it could be de Quervain's tenosynovitis, that is, an inflammation of the tendon at that site.

It can be confirmed with Finkelstein's test. You can check about it on the internet, and try it yourself. If it is positive, it will confirm our diagnosis, and accordingly, we can manage the treatment.

I suggest a few more tests to rule out inflammation as well:

1. ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate).
2. CRP (C-reactive protein).
3. Ultrasound of the hand joints.

I hope the information was useful. Do let me know in case of more queries.

Thank you.