Unexplained bruised finger

[kateness]

Can anyone help? Three times over the last couple of weeks I've had a pain between the two top joints of my right index finger. This is followed by swelling and bruising - the finger feels colder than the others and is difficult to bend and, even a day later, it's still blue and purple-coloured. At the time of this happening, I was sitting still, not doing anything with my hands, so it doesn't seem to have been caused by lifting or anything like that. I must admit I'm a bit worried and have made an appointment to see the doctor but I just wondered if anyone here had anything similar happen to them.
Thanks, Kate

[Psychick]

Normally, if your feeling the sensation of something being cold, it is to do with bad circulation. Maybe the swelling is restricting the blood flow in your finger? As for the swelling and bruising, does it completely go then come back, or just start getting better then come back? Im wondering if youve factured the bone or something and its not getting the chance to heal properly.

[alijangra]

Possibly Raynaud's disease

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raynaud's_disease

[annie0000]

Is it on the inside of the joint? If so, I have this all the time - i think that it is a burst blood vessel - does your finger suddenly swell and then when the swelling goes down you are left with a bruise? If I feel it throbbing, I try to get hold of something cold and it stops it swelling so much - Went to the doctors about it once, but he just shrugged and said not to worry - I probably get it a couple of times a year for about the last 15 years r so. Sometimes get it if I have made a sudden movement with my hand i.e to swat at something!

Hope this helps - if you go to Doc's and find out anything else, please let me know!!!

[kateness]

Thanks to everyone for their helpful answers.
Psychick - the bruising and swelling do go down eventually and I don't think I've fractured it.
Tonyted, I did consider that but it's not that painful - I know someone who has gout and hs is in agony with it. Alijangra - I considered this too but with it only being the one finger I ruled it out.
Annie0000, yes it is on the inside of the joint and the bruising and swelling does go down eventually.
Anyway, I went to the doc who discovered that I'd injured a tendon in my palm (below my index finger) and this was what was probably causing the swelling etc. So, thankfully, amputation is not an option!!
Thank you all again.
Kate