Arthritis is a common condition that affects millions of people worldwide, and it can manifest in various parts of the body, including the hands. Hand arthritis is a chronic condition that can cause pain, stiffness, and swelling, making it challenging to perform everyday tasks. In this blog post, we'll explore hand arthritis, its causes, symptoms, and treatments.
What is Hand Arthritis?
Hand arthritis is a type of arthritis that affects the joints of the hands. It is a degenerative condition that causes the cartilage in the joints to break down, leading to pain, swelling, and stiffness. It can go through ups and downs with one month being super painful and the next one being ok (hormones play a big role in this!). As the condition progresses, it can lead to the development of bone spurs, which can make movement even more challenging. Picture your grandmas hands with the big knuckles? YEP that’s arthritis.
What Causes Hand Arthritis?
Hand arthritis can be caused by several factors, including age, genetics, and lifestyle factors. Here are some of the common causes of hand arthritis:
Age: As we age, the cartilage in our joints breaks down, leading to arthritis. Wear and tear is a real thing!
Genetics: Some people may be more predisposed to developing arthritis due to their genetics.
Injury: Injury to the hand or wrist can increase the risk of developing arthritis.
Occupation: People who perform repetitive tasks with their hands, such as typing or manual labor, may be more likely to develop arthritis.
What are the Symptoms of Hand Arthritis?
The symptoms of hand arthritis can vary from person to person, but here are some of the common symptoms:
Pain: Pain in the hand joints is the most common symptom of hand arthritis. The pain can be mild or severe and can be felt during movement or at rest.
Stiffness: Hand arthritis can cause stiffness in the fingers, making it challenging to move them, especially first thing in the morning (a heating pack can work wonders for this).
Swelling: Swelling and inflammation of the hand joints can make them appear larger than usual. This tends to fluctuate month by month.
Decreased grip strength: As the condition progresses, it can affect grip strength, making it challenging to hold objects.
How is Hand Arthritis Treated?
Although there is no cure for hand arthritis, there are several treatments available to manage the symptoms and slow the progression of the condition. Here are some of the common treatments:
Anti-inflammatory Medications & Lifestyle: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can help reduce pain and inflammation. This is best used on an intermittent basis. Changes to diet can help decrease your bodies inflammation which will help with your pain. Increasing your hydration can also help to decrease your pain.
Occupational therapy: Occupational therapy can help improve hand function and reduce pain. Exercise and stretching and prevent further damage to your already irritated joints and help to increase strengths of surrounding joints to take pressure off the arthritic ones. We can also teach you great tips, tricks and tools to help limit overuse of your hands.
Splints: Wearing a splint can help support the hand and reduce pain. You therapist can help select the perfect one for you based on your specific form of arthritis.
Surgery: In severe cases, surgery may be necessary to repair or replace damaged joints. Your therapist can help talk through options and prepare you for surgery if needed- research shows that working with therapy BEFORE surgery helps to give you better results AFTER surgery.
Check out our blog post on must have tools for hand arthritis to decrease pain and make life easier.
Hand arthritis is a chronic condition that can significantly impact a person's quality of life. While there is no cure for hand arthritis, there are several treatments available to manage the symptoms and slow the progression of the condition. If you are experiencing symptoms of hand arthritis, it's important to speak with a healthcare professional to determine the best course of treatment for your individual needs.
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