The hand and wrist have many small joints that work together. They move in tandem to produce fine motors skills like writing, typing, or threading a needle. When the joints become affected by arthritis, these daily activities can be very hard.
If arthritis is not treated in a timely manner, the bones of the joint can lose their intended shape and not function properly.
There is no cure for arthritis in the hands, but there are treatments focused on relieving pain and slowing the progression of the arthritis. Women are more likely to experience osteoarthritis in their hands than men.
Symptoms
Depending on the type of arthritis in the hands, symptoms can differ slightly. The most common symptoms of arthritis are:
- Joint swelling
- Bone and joint deformity
- Pain with movement and at times of rest
- Muscle weakness
- Loss of function
The symptoms for osteoarthritis are a bit more specific:
- Nodules (bony lumps) at the middle finger joint
- Pain that offers under the base of the thumb
- Stiffness
- Difficulty pinching and gripping things
Treatments
Both at-home and medical treatments are available for arthritis pain. These treatments are designed to reduce inflammation and pain, making daily life a little easier.
At-Home Remedies
Hand exercises help keep the ligaments and tendons in your hand flexible and can reduce pain. Try slowly bending your fingers, then stretching them out, carefully. You can also try laying your hand flat on a table and slowly lifting one finger at a time. It is important to use gentle, slow movements so you don’t overuse the muscles and cause more discomfort.
Hot and cold therapy reduces swelling and stiff joints. Apply ice to swollen joints in 10 minute increments to reduce swelling. To prevent skin damage, always use a protective covering on your ice pack. Heat is used to ease stiff joints. Place hands in a bowl of warm water to loosen joints and regain your range of motion.
Splinting offers support to the ligaments and tendons in your hands, frequently reducing pain. Always speak with your doctor before splinting. A brace helps to hold the joint still, which can strengthen the tendons and reduce the pain.
Medical Treatments
Along with home remedies, there are medical treatments that can be used to reduce pain from hand arthritis. The two most common treatments are:
- NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), like ibuprofen
- Cortisone injections to reduce inflammation
Surgical Treatments
Usually invoices the effusion of the hand bones. This will help reduce pain. However, it reduces the hand function and fine motor skills.
Non-surgical Treatments
New advances in non-surgical treatment of hand and wrist arthritis includes using cell therapy like Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP). This helps reduce pain and improve function by about 40-50%.
