Hand Arthritis

Arthritis of the hand is when the lining of your joint or the cartilage is worn down and eventually broken down. When arthritis occurs, the ends of your bones become exposed, causing them to rub against each other. Since there are many joints in your hand, arthritis of the hand is quite common. Hand arthritis may cause pain, swelling, stiffness and deformity. As this condition progresses, you lose the ability to manage everyday tasks using your hands.

The most common types of hand arthritis include:

● Osteoarthritis

● Rheumatoid arthritis

● Psoriatic arthritis

FAQs: Hand Arthritis in Staten Island, NY at Still Well Pain Management

What is arthritis?
Arthritis is a general term covering numerous conditions where the joint surface or cartilage wears out. The joint surface is covered by a smooth articular surface that allows pain free movement in the joint. This surface can wear out for a number of reasons; often the definite cause is not known.

When the articular cartilage wears out the bone ends rub on one another and cause pain. This condition is referred to as osteoarthritis or “wear and tear” arthritis as it occurs with aging and use. It is the most common type of arthritis.

What are the causes of arthritis?

There are numerous conditions that can cause arthritis but often the exact cause is never known. In general, but not always, it affects people as they get older (osteoarthritis). Other causes include:

● Trauma

● Increased stress such as overuse and sports

● Degeneration of the bone

● Autoimmune diseases (Rheumatoid, Lupus, Psoriatic)

● Inactive lifestyle and obesity

What are the symptoms of hand arthritis?

Early symptoms of hand arthritis include dull or burning joint pain, morning pain and stiffness in your hand(s) and swollen joints in your hand(s). If you’ve been living with arthritis in your hand(s) for a while, symptoms occur more often and become more severe.

What parts of the hand are most affected by arthritis?

The four areas of your hand attacked by arthritis are the base of your thumb, your knuckles, the middle joints of your fingers and the top joint of your fingers nearest your nails.

How is hand arthritis treated?

Your treatment options will depend on many factors, including the type of arthritis, stage of arthritis, the number of joints affected, your age, activity level, the hand affected and other existing medical conditions. With treatment, the goal is to decrease joint pain stiffness, improve hand mobility and function and enhance your quality of life. Typical treatment options include splinting/bracing, medications, injections, non-drug approaches and surgery.

How can I get started with hand arthritis treatment in Staten Island?

To learn more about how these treatments can help relieve the pain of your hand arthritis, call 718-448-6373 or request a consultation online today.