What causes enlarged finger joints?

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Enlarged Finger Joints

Q. What causes enlarged finger joints?

A. The condition is probably rheumatic in character, and is often connected with dilatation of the stomach. It is practically incurable, though further progress of the disease may often be arrested by careful regulation of the diet and by proper treatment. The fingers should be soaked in hot water for ten minutes twice daily, and afterward the hands should be dipped in cold water for a few seconds, then rubbed and flexed. If quite painful, the rubbing should be gentle, simply passing the hands over the joints with moderate pressure. A moist bandage consisting of two or three thicknesses of cheese cloth wet in cold water, and well wrung, should be wrapped around the joints, covered with flannel and mackintosh, to be retained during the night.

Massage of the joints with olive or cocoanut oil or white vaseline is excellent.

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