Swollen fingers HELP?

Help my mum has very swollen fingers, mainly the index but all her fingers are swollen and stiff. She cannot use her hands very well and at night it is so painful that she cries out in pain. I am very worried about her. She does not like doctors and our GP is on holidays anyway. I noticed this for a couple of months now seems to be getting worse. She is 50 and her health is OK despite having had both a hysterectomy and gall bladder removed. Can anyone shed some light on what is wrong?