What to Know About Hand Arthritis

The symptoms of hand arthritis differ from person to person. A lot depends on the specific joints affected or the common activities that a person does.

Most people will experience:

• an ache when they use their hands
• joint stiffness, which may be more pronounced in the morning
• difficulty moving their fingers
• a weak grip
• swelling and tenderness in the knuckles or around the wrist

Heberden nodes

For some people, bone spurs are a sign of advanced OA.

A bone spur is a hardened area of bone that attaches itself to the joint. The capsule around the joint can also thicken and enlarge.

In hand arthritis, the enlarged capsule and bone growths are called Heberden nodes when they occur on the joints near the fingertips. They consist of round, hard, swollen areas that develop around the joint.

Heberden nodes are a permanent condition and often make your fingers change in shape.

People who have arthritis in the joints in the middle of the fingers can also develop swellings called Bouchard nodes.

The exact cause of hand arthritis is unknown. The condition usually develops due to wear and tear of the joint, which occurs gradually over time.

A healthy joint has cartilage at the end of the bone. This cartilage provides cushioning and allows smooth movement. In OA, cartilage deteriorates, exposing the underlying bone, which triggers joint pain and stiffness.

There’s also a genetic component to hand OA. People with biological family members who have OA may develop OA at a younger age than people in the general population, and their OA may be more severe.

Your risk for OA increases if you:

• have a family member who also has degenerative joint pain of the hands
• are an older adult
• have a job that requires a lot of work with your hands, such as manufacturing or cooking
• have had a hand injury

The more you use your hands, the more wear and tear you place on the joints and the cartilage that supports them.

There’s also a higher risk factor for hand arthritis if you’re female. People assigned female at birth are more likely to develop OA.

People born with joints that have structural differences or irregular cartilage are also more likely to develop this condition.

Diagnosing hand arthritis involves a medical evaluation and screening tests. A doctor will check the joints in your hand for symptoms of OA, including:

• hand joint tenderness
• swelling
• structural changes
• limited range of motion

In some cases, your doctor will also order an X-ray. An X-ray can show signs of cartilage loss and other damage, such as bone spurs and bone erosions This can indicate arthritis of the hand.

Rarely, your doctor might order an MRI to look more closely at your bones and soft tissue.

Eliminating similar conditions

Symptoms of hand OA can be similar to other joint conditions. Your doctor may order blood tests, especially to rule out other types of arthritis like rheumatoid arthritis.

Some doctors even complete a joint fluid analysis to check for signs of inflammation in the wrist joints. These tests can help your doctor determine whether your hand arthritis may be related to crystal deposition diseases, like gout or pseudogout.

Several treatment options are available for hand arthritis, depending on its severity and whether it’s interfering with your daily activities.

Pain medication

Pain medication can provide some relief during flare-ups.

For many people, over-the-counter (OTC) nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen and naproxen are effective. People with severe OA may need a stronger prescription from a doctor.

NSAIDs are also available in topical form. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved diclofenac (Voltaren) gel as a treatment for OA.

Your doctor may also prescribe injections if oral medications do not help. An injection of anti-inflammatory medication (usually a steroid) and anesthetics can calm the inflamed joints quickly and last for several months.

Range-of-motion exercises

Stiff, achy fingers can affect how you use your hands, making your daily routine more challenging.

People with OA in their hands may find range-of-motion exercises beneficial.

You can do simple exercises several times each day to help maintain flexibility in your hands:

• Knuckle bends: Bend your middle knuckles as if you were making a claw with your hands. Then straighten your fingers again.
• Fists: Form a fist with your fingers and then unfurl your fingers. Work slowly to avoid pain.
• Finger touches: Touch your thumb to each fingertip in turn. If stretching your thumb hurts, don’t force it.
• Wall walking: Walk your fingers up a wall and then back down.

Lifestyle adjustments

A few simple lifestyle changes can help manage hand OA. You may find relief with:

• hot and cold compresses for pain and swelling
• splints on your wrist, thumb, or fingers for support
• arthritis-friendly tools that have padding to ease grip
• soaking your hands in warm water
• gently squeezing a sponge or rubber ball (which you can do while soaking your hands in warm water)

Some people have found relief for OA in the hands by using anti-arthritis gloves. These gloves are designed to reduce pain and swelling, and they may gradually improve mobility in your hands.

Ring splints can also be made to support individual joints and may look like jewelry.

Diet

The Arthritis Foundation recommends an all-around healthy diet. This includes an abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean meats, as well as minimizing your sugar intake.

Foods to look for include:

• red or purple grapes
• red onion
• red apples
• berries
• broccoli
• leafy greens
• cherries
• plums
• citrus fruits

Eating produce high in flavonoids may help, too. Fruits and vegetables that are dark in color contain substances that can help manage inflammation throughout the body.

Surgery

Surgery is another option if your OA is interfering with daily activities and hasn’t improved with dietary adjustments, medications, and lifestyle changes.

Surgical treatment for hand arthritis includes fusing together the bones on the sides of the arthritic joint or reconstructing the joints.

Fusion limits the movement of the joint but reduces pain and stiffness. Reconstruction uses soft tissue from other places in your body or other inert materials to replace the cartilage that has worn down.

OA of the hand is a progressive disease. This means it starts off slowly and gets worse as the years pass.

There’s no cure, and it won’t go away on its own, but treatment can help you manage the condition.

Early detection and treatment for hand arthritis is key to maintaining a healthy, active life with OA.

Understanding possible causes and risk factors for hand arthritis may help prevent or slow OA. Some steps you can take are:

Managing your diabetes (if you have diabetes)

If you have diabetes, managing your blood sugar reduces your risk. A high glucose level affects how cartilage responds to stress.

Diabetes can also trigger inflammation, which can cause cartilage loss.

Being physically active

Exercise can also play a role in the management of OA. Aim for at least 30 minutes of exercise 5 times a week.

Additionally, take extra precautions when exercising or playing sports to avoid joint injury in your hands. Fractures, dislocations, and ligament tears increase the risk of OA.

OA of the hands is a condition that causes pain and limited mobility due to joint inflammation and cartilage loss. Untreated OA of the hands can lead to severe hand mobility and atypical form.

The good news is that hand OA is a treatable and manageable condition. Treatment for OA involves pain medication, exercises, and more.

Preventive measures don’t rule out the possibility of developing hand arthritis, but they can help lower your risk.

Talk with a doctor about your OA or your risks for developing it. With treatment, it’s possible to maintain a healthy, active lifestyle.