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What Causes Swelling At Finger Joint And Weight Loss In A Teenager?

Posted on Mon, 7 Mar 2016

Question: My grandson is 15 years old. He is having swelling on his joints that connects his fingers to his hands on both hands for a couple of months. He has lost 35 pounds in the last six months but appears to be fine in all other ways. He was born with a full cleft lip and pallet but has gotten continued care since birth. Wondering what this could be. Thanks.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (43 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
It can be juvenile rheumatoid arthritis

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I have studied your case. Swelling at finger joint can be due to many causes. Most commmon at his age is juvrnile rheumatoid arthritis. But I would like to know little detail of the illness so that I can help you in a better way.
1. is he having any pain in joints ?
2. Is he having morning stiffness of joints as well?
3. Is their any skin lesions ?
please send me answers of these questions. I will try my best to help you. thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (12 hours later)

Thanks you so much for your help. Answers; 1. He has only complained of soreness and discomfort in the knuckle joints that connect his fingers to his hands. 2. He is having morning stiffness in his hands. 3. He has lesions of a sort on his knuckles, it looks like dry slightly cracked reddened skin. He is a good student in school and a non complainer since he has had a lot of mouth/pallet/dental work done since birth. He was diagnosed with asthma as a baby but seems to have no issues with this now. Sincerely, XXXXXXX Fricke

Answered by Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (13 hours later)

Brief Answer:
It can be psoriasis

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I think his skin lesion and finger pain can be related. Most probably it is a psoriasis lesion. This condition causes skin and hand joint problem with stiffness. I would suggest you following.
1. Hot water fomentation
2. Tablet Etorixoxib 90 mg one once a day. This is a prescription only medicine.
3. Betamethasone ointment for skin lesion.
It will be best if you can send me image of skin lesion. Or you can show it to a skin specialist and take his opinion. I hope this answer will be useful for you. let me know if there is any other followup questions. thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (38 hours later)

Dr. XXXXXXX I have uploaded photos of my grandsons knuckles for your review. Thank you so much. XXXXXXX Fricke

Answered by Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Images does not looks like psoriasis

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
images of lesions are not like psoriasis . It is more like some inflammatory arthropathy like rheumatoid. I would suggest you to do few blood investigations.
1. ESR 2. CRP 3.ASLO 4. RA factor
these test will help us in diagnosing this condition. A skin specailst can also help for skin lesion.
You can start Etorixoxib for pain. Also hot water fomentation. If these tests are positive then he will need some other medications like HCQ.
I hope this answer will be useful for you. let me know if there is any other followup questions. thanks

Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar