What is the finger DIP joint and what problems occur?
The DIP joints are the end joints of the fingers. They are shaped as double domes side by side on the hand side of the joint and two side by side matching shallow curves on the finger side. This allows mobility in bending and straightening but stability in sideways and twisting movements. The DIP joints are therefore very stable but this makes them more prone to stiffness and other problems. The common problems are related to wear and tear arthritis.(osteoarthritis) (Problems in rheumatoid arthritis are described in the section on inflammatory arthropathy/rheumatoid arthritis). Osteoarthritis itself is either primary i.e. occurring for no obvious reason or secondary i.e. occurring due to an underlying cause. The most common cause of secondary arthritis is previous injury particularly a fracture (break) into the joint (intra-articular). Patients typically present in middle age and later (40yo and onwards) with gradually increasing stiffness/pain/deformity. There may be a family history
