This article discusses the different types of hand arthritis along with symptoms, causes, and treatment options.
bloodstone / Getty Images
What Is Hand Arthritis?
These can cause damage to the hands as well as other joints.
bloodstone / Getty Images
Each of these has specific symptoms, causes, and treatment options.
It is more common in older adults.
Hand Joints Commonly Affected by OA
OA can affect anyjoint of the hands and fingers.
There are, however, several contributing factors that may increase a person’s risk of developing the disease.
If they occur on the DIP joints, they are known asHeberden’snodes.
In these cases, the remaining joint in the thumb becomes hyper-mobile to compensate.
In between attacks, symptoms completely disappear.
Approximately 50% of people with palindromic rheumatism will progress to develop RA in the future.
The main goal oftreating RAis to decrease systemic inflammation throughout the entire body.
If inflammation levels are well-managed, hand symptoms should begin to improve as well.
Like RA, the exactcause of PsAremains unclear.
However, genetics appear to play a large role in this disease.
Nearly 40% of people with PsA have a family member with either psoriasis or other forms of arthritis.
This leads to severely deformed fingers and the loss of functionality.
An “opera-glass deformity” comes up whenever the fingers telescope backwards and bend unnaturally.
Like RA, the goal ofPsA treatmentis to reduce inflammation throughout the body.
Similar to most other autoimmune illnesses, the exactcause of lupusis unknown.
Genetics play a significant role, along with other risk factors.
Types of trauma to the hands or fingers may include:
This is known aspost-traumatic arthritis.
Depending on the severity of the injury, arthritis may develop quickly or years later.
Symptoms of post-traumatic arthritis include:
If the trauma has just occurred, then immediate medical attention is required.
A healthcare provider will be able to properly splint or cast any fractures or treat any dislocated joints.
There are many options available to treat all of these forms of hand arthritis.
Getting to the root cause of your hand pain will help your healthcare provider tailor your treatment plan.
This helps ensure long-term damage can be avoided as much as possible and improve your quality of life.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Arthritis related statistics.
Arthritis Foundation.Arthritis by the numbers.
Arthritis Foundation.Osteoarthritis of the hands.
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Arthritis of the hand.
Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center.Rheumatoid arthritis signs and symptoms.
American College of Rheumatology.Psoriatic arthritis.
Ragab G, Elshahaly M, Bardin T.Gout: An old disease in new perspective A review.J Adv Res.
2017;8(5):495-511. doi:10.1016/j.jare.2017.04.008
Lupus Foundation of America.What is lupus?
