Why Are My Hands Stiff and Rigid?

High blood sugars over a long period of time can increase stiffness of tissue around your finger joints. This can eventually cause stiff hands and prevent you from straightening your fingers, making it difficult to write or to pick up small items and do other fine movements.

A test for this condition is called the "prayer sign," in which you hold your hands together, one palm facing the other palm, to see whether your fingers can lie flat against each other.

If a space exists between your right and left hands when you try to push your hands together, this is a "positive" prayer sign. High sugars may be causing this condition. Arthritis can also cause a positive prayer sign.

In the future, new medications may become available that will reduce the stiffness . To minimize the chances of developing this stiffness now, it is  recommended that you keep your blood sugars as close to your goal range as possible.