Finger joint pain and swelling

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), ankylosing spondylitis, can cause pain and swelling of the small joints of the fingers. It belongs to the category of TCM syndromes, and is commonly known as bone paralysis and calendar wind. It is a systemic disease with chronic polyarthritis as the main manifestation. It usually starts from the small joints of the hands and feet and is usually symmetrical. The early symptoms are pain, swelling, difficulty in movement and stiffness in the affected joints. (Finger, palm, toe). Long-lasting, late symptoms are joint deformities.