All About Hand Arthritis And The Treatments Involved

Has it become very challenging for you to play the piano or use a kitchenaid hand mixer? Do your hands often go through pain and stiffness? Then you could be suffering from hand arthritis. But fret not. With the help of the doctor and following a treatment course, you can resume having a normal life in no time.

Arthritis is a disease of the bone joints, in particular the cartilage in them. Factors including an injury, heredity and others usually cause the development of this problem. Age may also be the culprit, such as in the case of osteoarthritis. Also known as degenerative arthritis, it’s due to the wearing and tearing of cartilages through the years.

Other than the hands, the disease usually occurs in large weight-bearing joints. Such may include the knees, hips, back, and shoulders. Hand arthritis often results to pain and inflammation. Because of these, hand use and movement becomes very limited. It’s not uncommon to hear grinding or clicking sound when moving the fingers. Bony knobs may also appear in the end and middle finger joints.

Physical examination and medical history taking will be done by a specialist to diagnose the disease. Structural changes within the hands may be revealed by getting an x-ray. Sometimes blood testing is necessary, if the specialist suspects rheumatoid arthritis, a kind of autoimmune disease. Treatment and management will have to depend on the findings.

Mode of treatment may involve application of topical and oral anti-inflammatory drugs. Non Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) help in dealing with pain and swelling. Splints are applied to support the hand in an optimal position, as well as to promote rest. Corticosteroid injections are also good at relieving the signs and symptoms. In severe cases, surgery may be warranted.

For mild pain, you can apply arthritis creams or liniments, as well as cold compresses. You may also do hand exercises, such as making a fist, spreading your fingers and having each finger tip touch the thumb. These practices are particularly helpful prior to typing on a keyboard, pressing buttons below a gadget’s custom LCD, or other activities at work.

With proper activity modification and following the doctor’s orders, hand arthritis need not get in the way of your daily living. Soon enough you can resume your passion in life, be it using a Canon digital SLR camera or gripping a tennis racket. Having arthritis of the hand need not cause you lifelong pain and joint immobility.

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