Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that is known to affect joints in our body, any of the joints can develop this condition. Inflammation of joints occurs in this condition.
One of the common locations affected by this condition is our hands, and in this post, we are going to discuss hand osteoarthritis in detail.
Hand osteoarthritis is a painful condition characterized by numerous other symptoms. In hands, it generally affects the base of the thumb, joints near the fingertips, and the middle joint of the fingers. If the condition is ignored and timely treatment is not provided, it will become worse. Severe cases often require the use of orthopedic devices during surgical intervention.
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What Are the Causes of the Condition?
According to the studies, osteoarthritis occurs when the protective cushion cartilages between the joints wear down. This could occur due to age-related wear & tear of joints or some underlying health conditions.
When cartilage tear occurs, the bones start to rub against each other at the joint, and this results in pain, inflammation, and irritation. This is also known to increase the production of inflammatory cells and hence, more damage occurs. Some of the common causes of hand osteoarthritis include:
- Aging
- Gender
- Obesity
- Being Underweight
- Direct Injuries to Hand
- Genetic Conditions
- Infections and other joint problems
What Are the Symptoms Associated with the Condition?
Orthopedic issues are always accompanied by pain and swelling, and hence, these two are among the commonest symptoms here as well. Besides these, certain specific symptoms noticed in the case of hand osteoarthritis include:
- Pain in the hand with movement
- Stiffness in the joint
- Difficulty in moving fingers
- Weak grip while holding objects
- Swelling and tenderness around the wrist
How is Hand Osteoarthritis Diagnosed?
Before imaging tests are performed, the healthcare service provider often starts diagnosis with the physical examination. Here, the doctor examines swelling, tenderness, painful areas, range of motion, and deformity. This helps get an idea about the severity of the condition.
X-rays may provide a conclusive report and confirm the severity and affected location. In rare cases, MRI may also be required.
How Is It Treated?
The severity and diagnosis of the condition decide the feasible treatment procedure. Analgesics to curb pain are often prescribed. Besides this, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are also given to relieve inflammation. NSAIDs are generally given in a topical form as an ointment. In cases where oral drugs fail to provide relief, injections are applied.
Besides this, exercises and physiotherapy also play a vital role in improving joint strength and flexibility of muscles. Physical therapy is also known to improve the range of motion. Sometimes, the doctor also suggests the use of a splint to stabilize the joint along with hot and cold compression to relieve pain & swelling.
Severe cases of hand osteoarthritis might require surgery for the treatment. Fusion of bones is among the commonest surgical procedures. It restricts the movement of joints and reduces pain and swelling. Orthopedic Implants and Instruments may also be required during surgery.
