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How to Prevent and Manage Arthritis in Your Hands
How to Prevent and Manage Arthritis in Your Hands
In our daily lives, our hands tirelessly perform various tasks, even beyond lifting heavy objects, making them vulnerable to arthritis hand pain in fingers and wrists.
When arthritis introduces discomfort, the once-effortless movements can feel like a challenge.
In this blog, we’ll navigate ways to prevent and manage arthritis, ensuring our hands continue to serve us seamlessly.
What is Arthritis in the Hands?
Arthritis in the hands involves joint inflammation, leading to pain, swelling, and stiffness. As it advances, everyday tasks become challenging, limiting your ability to use your hands as effectively as before.
Arthritis can affect four regions of your hand:
- Your knuckles.
- The base of your thumb, where your thumb meets your wrist.
- The middle joints of your fingers.
- The top joint of your fingers closest to your nails.
What are the Types of Arthritis in the Hands?
Different arthritis types can affect your hands:
- Osteoarthritis (OA):
This is the most common local type of arthritis and is often associated with ageing. OA causes the deterioration of cartilage, leading to pain, swelling, and reduced joint mobility.
Osteoarthritis frequently affects the joints at the base of the thumb, the end joints, and the middle joints of the fingers.
- Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA):
An autoimmune systemic condition in which the immune system targets the synovium, causing inflammation, joint damage, and potential deformities.
RA can affect various joints, including those in the hands, where it commonly involves the small joints of the fingers and wrists.
What are the Symptoms of Arthritis in the Hands?
Symptoms of hand arthritis can vary based on the arthritis type and its severity.
Here are common symptoms associated with arthritis in the hands:
- Persistent joint pain
- Swelling
- Stiffness after periods of inactivity
- Reduced range of motion
- Warmth and redness
- Tenderness
- Weakening of muscles around affected joints
- Deformities in the joints of the hands
How is Arthritis in the Hands Diagnosed?
If you experience symptoms of arthritis, consult a hand specialist. They will examine your hands and joints for tenderness, pain, swelling, and signs of damage.
They’ll inquire about your medical history, daily activities, and job, conducting a physical exam. Blood tests, X-rays, and imaging tests may be recommended to evaluate inflammation levels.
Early diagnosis is crucial for effective management.
How is Arthritis in the Hands Treated?
The treatment of arthritis in the hands aims to manage symptoms, alleviate inflammation, and improve joint function. Treatment approaches can vary based on the type of arthritis and the severity of the condition.
Here are common strategies for treating arthritis in the hands:
- Splints and Braces: Temporary wearing splints or braces can provide support to affected joints, reduce pain, and prevent further damage, especially during periods of increased use.
- Medications: You may be prescribed medicines for joint pain and swelling. You might be prescribed:
- Acetaminophen to relieve pain.
- NSAIDs to reduce pain and swelling in affected joints.
- For inflammatory arthritis like rheumatoid arthritis, DMARDs are used to slow disease progression and minimise joint damage.
- Steroid injections: Steroids alleviate inflammation and pain and are usually used when medications don’t manage the inflammation or if the inflammation is localized. Administered directly into the impacted joint, these injections are repeated only a few times due to potential tendon and ligament weakening.
- Other strategies:
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Stop smoking
- Perform strengthening and stretching exercises to reduce symptoms and improve the function of the hands.
- Try to avoid injury when playing sports.
- Use hot and cold packs.
- Avoid repetitive motion when possible.
- Avoid lifting heavy items that can strain fingers and hands.
- Surgery: If nonsurgical interventions no longer offer relief and the cartilage at the ends of the bones has deteriorated, surgery may be an option.
Consult Professor Dr Robert Hierner for Hand Arthritis Treatment
If you are experiencing symptoms of arthritis in your hands, seeking professional medical guidance is crucial.
With a wealth of experience exceeding 30 years, Professor Dr Robert Hierner is a distinguished hand surgeon in Dubai. His extensive expertise spans various disciplines, including physiotherapy, neurology, rheumatology, radiotherapy, anaesthesia, and hand surgery.
Trust in his extensive experience and comprehensive approach to ensure the well-being of your hands.
