The wrist and hand have several small joints that function to produce motion, including the precise movement required to thread needles or tie the shoelace. If the joint is affected due to arthritis, daily activities that are part of everyday life can be difficult. Arthritis can affect many parts of the hand and wrist and may have multiple causes.
In time, if arthritis isn't treated, joints' bones may change their shape. That can cause more discomfort and limit movement.
Arthritis types in the hand
Fingertip Joint Arthritis
Around 10% of people have hereditary arthritis that affects joints in fingers and interphalangeal distal joints. When we apply pressure to our fingertips, it is similar to the stress that we exert on our knees as we walk. This is why it's normal to find patients with tiny bumps of nubby skin on their fingertips, also known as Heberden's Nodes. These are, in reality, small bones that have grown out. They are not required to be treated unless they are affecting their mobility.
Basal Thumb Arthritis
About 25 percent of females who are over 50 years old develop arthritis in their thumbs. This number increases to over 50% in women who are over 70 years old. Since men are less likely to suffer from arthritis of the thumb, we consider that ligaments holding the joint together are estrogen receptors for women. After age 50, when women go through menopausal changes, they lose estrogen. The ligaments begin to stretch, and the joint becomes less supple.
Post-Traumatic Arthritis
Post-traumatic arthritis is one form of osteoarthritis that develops following an injury to the joint. However, since arthritis progresses slowly, it's difficult to determine when the problem started.
For instance, we see a lot of wrist arthritis due to fractures that have not been diagnosed, especially a scaphoid or non-diagnosed injury to the ligament. When injuries occur, it's challenging to detect arthritis in the early stages since it could take up to 10-years or longer to notice it. That's the reason it is most common between 45-60.
The wrist is susceptible to arthritis due to no connective tissues or muscles with the bones of the wrist. That means that there isn't any protection against use and damage.
Osteoarthritis (OA), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) are three kinds of arthritis that affect hands.
As time passes, these conditions could make it difficult for someone to write, hold objects, and complete everyday tasks like washing or dressing.
This article will look at how arthritis affects hands and what individuals can do when they experience symptoms.
What kinds of arthritis affect the hands?
Different kinds of arthritis may be found in hands, such as OA, PsA, and RA.
- OA that people often call "wear and tear" degenerative changes in cartilage cause arthritis.
- RA is a result of an auto-immune condition that results in inflammation in joints.
- PsA is associated with the condition psoriasis, which is an auto-immune disorder that causes skin problems.
Post-traumatic arthritis is a form of OA. It is a result of an injury.
Signs
The most common symptoms of arthritis are:
- pain during movement or at still
- joints expansion, stiffness, and deformity
- Instability in grip and reduced functionality
- modifications in the form of hands, fingers, and wrists
Specific symptoms will be based on the form of arthritis.
The symptoms of OA
The most common symptoms of OA are mentioned below:
- The pain will be dull and intermittent but can become more intense and persistent over time
- Pain that gets worse when used and improves after rest
- Rigidity and decreased motion
- Grinding or cracking sensations occur in the joint when you move it
- Tenderness and swelling
- Bony lumps, also known as nodules or nodes, are located at the joint between middle fingers, i.e., close to the point of the finger
- Joints that are hard to feel and squeaky
- Changes in the form of fingers and hands
-
Difficulties with hands, for instance, problems when grasping or pinching
things
The symptoms of post-traumatic arthritis are likely to be similar; however, they may be more severe in a joint that has suffered an injury before.
RA signs
People who have RA in their hands might have a problem with Trusted Source:
- Joint pain in the wrist as well as the finger joint
- Joints that are like doughy and soft joints
- Inflammation and swelling
- Stiffness, particularly in the morning. This could last up to an hour
- Motion reduced
- Swelling and thickening of the tendon
- Modifications in the form of hands, like chronic inflammation, can lead to lasting damages to the hands.
- Loss of strength causes it to be difficult to grasp objects and makes it easy to fall them.
-
influenza-like symptoms, including tiredness, fever, and a general feeling
of unwell
The symptoms can appear and disappear. When a flare occurs, symptoms might worsen, but they will disappear for a few days in times of Remission.
PsA
Signs and symptoms of PsA on hands are:
- Pain
- Inflammation
- Dactylitis is a sausage-like swelling that occurs in the fingers
- Changes in the color of skin
- decreased joint movement
Many people who have PsA also have psoriasis, which can cause changes in the skin and nails.
Treatments:
Many doctors recommend the use of integrative medicine, a mix of traditional western medicine and alternative therapies. Each of western and alternative therapies is validated by research.
The field of occupational therapy
In the case of many, exercises in hand could be the most effective treatment alternative. A certified occupational therapist can instruct a patient on exercises to strengthen the fingers and wrists' joints, improve hand dexterity, and safeguard joints from further degeneration.
Splinting
Stabilize and support hand joints by using splints. There are many different kinds of braces available, including smaller braces to support individual knuckles and larger ones that help stabilize the hand and wrist. Braces during the night can stop the pain that can disrupt sleep (commonly experienced with carpal tunnel symptoms).
Patients who feel braces are too bulky and rigid to use for all time might opt to wear sleeves or compression gloves instead. The purpose of these items is to help joints while also allowing some flexibility.
Medical Information
Topical and oral pain medication can temporarily relieve hand arthritis pain.
- Topical pain relief products come as balms, creams, gels, patches, or gels available over-the-counter. Certain products for topical use require prescriptions from a physician.
- Look up the topical Pain Relief for Arthritis.
- Check out Pain Medications to Arthritis Pain Relief
TENS, Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS)
The research suggests Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) might be beneficial in treating knee arthritis and Rheumatoid arthritis of the hands. Sometimes, TENS could be suggested to reduce hand pain due to osteoarthritis.
The non-invasive therapy is available on the market or in prescription. It utilizes tiny amounts of electricity to stimulate nerves and lessen the discomfort. The majority of people experience a mild feeling of tingling or vibration when they undergo TENS therapy. TENS can be utilized using special gloves or by applying electrodes onto your hand(s) affected hand(s).
Lose weight
Obesity can cause lower-grade general (body-wide) inflammation that can cause the growth of osteoarthritis. Although not all doctors agree, losing weight can help reduce inflammation, arthritis, hand swelling, and pain.
Even if one doesn't have extra weight to shed, the anti-inflammatory diet can help to reduce inflammation in the body. This can contribute to joint pain.7-9 A diet that is anti-inflammatory focuses on:
- Consuming fruits and vegetables along with whole grains like barley, rice, wheat, and Quinoa
- Beware of foods that can cause inflammation, which includes food items that are processed or fried or that have refined sugar (sugar syrup, corn syrup, sucrose, fructose, and maltose)