WRIST/HAND OSTEOARTHRITIS
Arthritis — which literally means “inflamed joint” — can affect any joint in the body, including the joints between the 29 bones of the wrist, hand, and fingers. Arthritis of the hand can hurt and keep you from being able to do what you want or need to do. The most common forms of arthritis in the hand are osteoarthritis, post-traumatic arthritis (after an injury), and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease in which the smooth cartilage that covers the bone surfaces at the joints either is injured or wears over time.
Causes
Signs and Symptoms
The three most common sites where arthritis happens in the hand are:
- At the base of the thumb, where the thumb and wrist come together (the trapeziometacarpal or basilar joint)
- At the joint closest to the fingertip (the distal interphalangeal or DIP joint)
At the middle joint of a finger (the proximal interphalangeal or PIP joint)
All forms of hand arthritis can cause stiffness, swelling, pain, and deformity. Osteoarthritis sometimes causes bony nodules at the middle joint of the finger (Bouchard’s nodes) or at the end joint of the finger (Heberden’s nodes). Osteoarthritis at the basilar joint can cause swelling, a bump, and a deep, aching pain at the base of the thumb. Weakness of grip and pinch can make it hard to open a jar or turn a key for those with osteoarthritis.
Treatment
THE DIAGNOSIS OF OSTEOARTHRITIS
X-rays of joints with osteoarthritis can show loss of normal joint space, “bone spurs,” or other changes.
How to Treat Osteoarthritis
The goals in treating osteoarthritis are to relieve pain and restore function. Brief rest — either by changing activities or wearing a splint — can help. Soft, snug sleeves can help support a joint when rigid splints are too restrictive. Heat (for example, paraffin wax and warm compresses) can soothe the joints and help keep them mobile. It is important to keep as much finger motion and function as possible. Low intensity laser therapy can dramatically decreased the pain associated with Arthritis and can support health tissue production. At Advanced Pain Relief we often include other treatments to stimulate new cartilage production to create long-term improvements. This can include shockwave therapy. All our treatment plans are custom geared to our individual patients.