Hand Osteoarthritis - A Complete Guide

Osteoarthritis is the commonest form of arthritis that is seen in people. It could affect any of the joints in the body while hand & wrist joints come in the list of most affected joints with this condition. In this post, our focus will be on discussing hand osteoarthritis in detail.

The ends of the bones have cartilages that make them smooth & slippery. Thus, the joints where two bones meet can move smoothly. When osteoarthritis occurs, degeneration of cartilages is seen, and with time, they start to disappear. Cartilages also serve as cushions between the bones, and when wear & tear occurs, bones start to rub against each other. Severe cases may require use of Orthopedic Instruments and implants.

When a joint becomes rough, people start to feel pain & stiffness while moving the affected joint. These are the commonest symptoms that are noticed in the case of osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis is also known as degenerative joint disease, and in hands, it could affect:

• The wrist joint

• Fingertips

• The joint that connects the thumb & the wrist (Basilar Joint)

• The PIP joint (Middle joint of fingers)

Symptoms Associated with Hand Osteoarthritis

The type of joint affected and severity of the condition will decide the symptoms thus, they could be different in every individual. Some of the common symptoms that may be noticed in the case of hand osteoarthritis include:

• Pain while using the affected hand

• Joint stiffness

• Painful movements of the fingers

• Weak and/or painful grip

• Swelling & tenderness around the wrist

Causes of Hand Osteoarthritis

Wear & tear of the cartilages are the reason for hand osteoarthritis, but the exact cause of this condition is still under research. It is also believed that osteoarthritis also has a genetic connection. Thus, the chances are that if any of the family member(s) has OA, their offspring may also develop the condition.

Risk Factors Associated with Hand Osteoarthritis

There are certain conditions that make the person more prone to developing osteoarthritis:

• Any of the family members with degenerative joint pain of hands

• Old age

• Have a work profile that requires excessive use of hands

• Previous hand injury

Above all, women are more prone to developing osteoarthritis than men. Besides this, children born with defective cartilages and malformed joints can also develop this condition.

Diagnosis of Hand Osteoarthritis

Multiple tests and examinations need to be performed to correctly diagnose hand osteoarthritis. Physical examination is always critical in diagnosing the condition and the doctor will closely examine the affected hand for visible signs like deformity, swelling, and range of motion.

After this, the doctor will order an x-ray for confirmation and identify the exact affected area. In some rare cases, an MRI examination may also be ordered to have a close look at bones and soft tissues. Certain blood tests may also be done to rule out the conditions that show symptoms similar to OA like rheumatoid arthritis.

Treatment of Hand Osteoarthritis

Analgesics are prescribed by the doctor in most cases to relieve pain and flare-ups. Besides this, over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are also suggested for inflammation. Sometimes, injections may also be given if oral medication fails to provide any relief. Targeted exercises also play a vital role in strengthening muscles & bones and improving the flexibility & range of motion of the joint.

Hot and cold compression is also known to be effective in relieving pain & inflammation, especially in mild and moderate cases. Application of splints for support on the affected joint in the hand may be helpful as well. Besides all other treatment procedures, it is very important to have a healthy & complete diet rich in calcium, vitamin D, omega-3 fatty acids, and other nutrients that are required for maintaining bone health.

Now, when these methods fail to provide any positive results or if the condition progresses to a severe stage, surgery will be prescribed. The most common surgery performed to treat osteoarthritis is joint fusion. Orthopedic implants are used during the surgery to stabilize the fused joints.

Siora Surgicals Pvt. Ltd. is a world-class manufacturer of an extensive range of orthopedic devices that meet ISO 13485:2016 standards. Being a CE-certified company, it also exports its products to many European and non-European countries. Siora is counted among reliable Orthopaedic Companies in France for supplying international standard quality implants.