Adam Rufa - 10/9/2006

Question
Hi.
I am a 32 year old male. i recently had an infection that required taking cipro.
After taking it..One day I woke up with a terrible pain and stiffness in the middle joint of my right middle finger. The joint snaps or cracks MANY times througout the day. It seems looser than the other hand. No broken bones in the past. The pain comes and goes, but the stiffness is pretty constant. Does not bend(grip) as far as the other fingers. Apparently not "use related."
Made cipro comment because I thought it might be because of that, considering the timeliness. Also saw info about tendon rupture with cipro.
Could it be arthritis at my age? Only in one finger?

Answer
Arthritis simply means inflammation in a joint. This can occur at any age, in any joint for any number of reasons. Sometimes it can occur when the body's immune system attacks the joint for no reason (rheumatoid arthritis) and sometimes it can be associated with degeneration (osteoarthritis). Injuries to a joint (hit with hammer, jammed with a basketball) can all cause inflammation in a joint that will decrease once the injury is healed

In your case it will be difficult to determine a reason why your joint started hurting. I am not sure if cipro can cause symptoms like this. Infections in a joint can cause problems.

If it continues to be a problem you should talk with your MD

Adam