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I have had swelling of hands and pain that cannot make a fist or barely bend. Rheumatologist says it is not due to lupus so he will not adjust or change my medication.

December 22, 2025
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A MyLupusTeam Member

Thank you Angela. That helps me to understand this. I appreciate you taking the time to explain.You take care. Something I can do to help thank you for the exercise πŸ™‚

December 23, 2025
A MyLupusTeam Member

Hello Fancy2, I have had lupus since 1987, but a swelling of the hands and fingers began much later. I had an increase in the deformity of both hands and fingers. When I opened the hand, the fingers drifted to ulnar. I discussed this with my rheumatology and they told me that it is an osteoarthritis of the fingers and not related to the lupus. I didn't want to believe this and did more research but she's actually right.

So I have to my friend the lupus also an osteoarthritis of the hands resp. Finger joints. I had both hands operated on by an experienced hand surgeon and now I have straight and functional hands again and almost no complaints.

Before the operation, the grasping for, for example, balls, which I put in a bowl filled with rapeseed helped me. The movements and grasping relieves the discomfort and at the same time is a good exercise to maintain the mobility of the hands and fingers.

Lg Angela

Translated version

December 22, 2025
MyLupusTeam

Are swollen, painful hands that prevent you from making a fist related to lupus or osteoarthritis?

Many MyLupusTeam members experience painful swollen hands with lupus. One member shared, "When I first got sick, every joint hurt so bad, and my hands and feet were so swollen that I couldn't wear shoes or walk. My hands were Show Full Answer

Are swollen, painful hands that prevent you from making a fist related to lupus or osteoarthritis?

Many MyLupusTeam members experience painful swollen hands with lupus. One member shared, "When I first got sick, every joint hurt so bad, and my hands and feet were so swollen that I couldn't wear shoes or walk. My hands were like sausage fingers."

Joint pain and swelling are very common lupus symptoms. In fact, 92% of people with lupus report painful swollen joints. The inflammation from lupus can affect your fingers, causing swelling, pain, and stiffness that makes it difficult to bend them or make a fist.

However, lupus arthritis symptoms can sometimes look similar to other types of arthritis. Your rheumatologist may use hand X-rays to identify specific features that distinguish between lupus-related inflammation and other conditions like rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis.

If you're concerned that your hand symptoms might be lupus-related, consider seeking a second opinion or asking your rheumatologist to explain specifically why they believe it's osteoarthritis rather than lupus inflammation. It's important that your symptoms are properly addressed, regardless of the underlying cause.

December 22, 2025

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