Q: What is arthritis?
A: Arthritis is the wearing away of the smooth cartilage present in joints. When the cartilage becomes worn out, the underlying bones can begin to rub directly on each other, which can cause pain, stiffness, and deformity.
Q: What parts of the hand can arthritis affect?
A: Any joint of the hand can develop arthritis, but the most common location is the knuckle closest to the fingertip, called the distal interphalangeal joint or DIP. This joint can become lumpy and sore due to arthritis. The second most common location for arthritis in the hands is at the base of the thumb near the wrist, called the basal joint.
Q: What are the most common symptoms of arthritis of the hand?
A: Pain, stiffness, swelling, and deformity of the hand - like lumps on joints - are the most common symptoms of arthritis.
Q: What causes arthritis of the hand?
A: Hand arthritis is largely genetic, so many people inherit it from their parents. Sometimes major injuries to the bones or joints like fractures and dislocations can cause arthritis years later - this is called post-traumatic arthritis. There are other types of arthritis which can be due to certain medical conditions, like rheumatoid arthritis or psoriatic arthritis. Infections in the hand can cause arthritis as well.
Q: Is there anything that can be done to help prevent hand arthritis?
A: Avoiding smoking is one of the best things you can do to keep your hands healthy, and the rest of your body as well. Smoking can lead to inflammation throughout the body and slows the healing of injuries. There is also evidence that it can worsen arthritis. Staying active and maintaining a healthy weight can also help minimize the risk of arthritis, since some arthritis in the hand is associated with being overweight. Avoiding major injuries to the hands can help prevent arthritis as well. However, since much arthritis in the hands is genetic, some people will get it no matter what.
Q: At what point should you see a specialist regarding the condition?
A: It is a good idea to see a hand specialist if you have hand arthritis that causes you pain or difficulty performing your daily activities. There are many other hand conditions that can cause hand pain, so if you have pain that bothers you it is a good idea to visit a hand specialist to see whether the pain is caused by arthritis or something else, and what can be done about it.
Q: What are the most common treatment options for arthritis of the hand?
A: Hand arthritis should be treated if it causes pain or limitations. Most commonly, hand arthritis can be treated with certain splints, medications, ice, and modifying activities to cause less discomfort. Some patients with very bothersome arthritis may benefit from steroid injections which can decrease the inflammation in the joint. If none of these things help, there are surgical options for patients with severe pain and limitations that can work very well.
Dr. Vanessa Lund is an orthopaedic surgeon specializing in surgery of the hand and upper extremities. She is affiliated with Morton Hospital and Steward Health Care Network and practices in Raynham. For more information on Dr. Lund, visit providers.steward.org.
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