Arthritis in Hands

Hand arthritis is any type of arthritis that affects the joints in your hands, fingers or thumbs.

Arthritis damages the cartilage and other tissue in your joints. Once that cartilage wears down, your bones can rub together. This is what causes symptoms like pain, swelling and stiffness. You might not be able to use your hands as well as you used to as arthritis gets worse. It might be harder to manage everyday tasks.

Lots of people think arthritis is just an inevitable part of aging. And that can be true. But that doesn’t mean pain and stiffness in your hands is something you have to live with. Visit a healthcare provider if you think you might have arthritis in your hands. They’ll help you understand what’s causing the symptoms and which treatments will help manage them.

Types of hand arthritis

There are more than 100 different types of arthritis. Some of the common types that affect hands include:

• Osteoarthritis
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Psoriatic arthritis
• Gout
• Post-traumatic arthritis

Symptoms of hand arthritis

The most common symptoms of arthritis in your hands include:

• Joint pain in your hands or fingers
• Stiffness
• Trouble moving your hands or bending your fingers and thumbs
• Swelling
• Joints looking noticeably different than others
• Redness or discoloration on your skin
• A feeling of heat or warmth
• Feeling or hearing grinding, clicking or popping in your joints

Everyone experiences pain differently. Hand arthritis pain may feel like a constant, dull ache in your joints. Some people feel sudden, sharp or stabbing pain, too.

When and how you experience symptoms depend on which type of hand arthritis you have. For example, osteoarthritis is more likely to cause symptoms with use or in the evening. Inflammatory arthritis (like rheumatoid arthritis) usually causes symptoms that are worse in the morning but improve with use.

Certain foods and drinks can trigger gout symptoms in episodes called flares. Eating or drinking things that can trigger gout may lead to a symptom flare.

Stress may also trigger some types of arthritis. Psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis can flare up when you’re feeling lots of stress.

Arthritis in hands causes

The cause of arthritis in your hands usually depends on which type you have:

• Osteoarthritis happens naturally as you age. A lifetime of using your hands and fingers can eventually wear down their cartilage cushioning.
• Your immune system causes some kinds of hand arthritis (including rheumatoid arthritis) when it damages your joints by mistake.
• Psoriatic arthritis happens when you develop psoriasis on your skin and inflammation in and around your joints.
• Having too much uric acid in your blood can cause gout.
• Traumas can cause post-traumatic­ arthritis if the original injury seriously damages joints in your hands.

What are the risk factors?

Anyone can develop arthritis in their hands. You may be more likely to if you:

• Are older than 50
• Are female
• Have obesity or overweight
• Have an autoimmune disease
• Use tobacco or smoke
• Have biological relatives with arthritis

How is arthritis in hands diagnosed?

A healthcare provider will diagnose arthritis in your hands with a physical exam and a hand X-ray. Tell your provider when you first noticed symptoms like pain and stiffness. Let them know if any activities or times of day make symptoms worse. The X-ray will show lost cartilage or changes in your bones.

You might also need blood tests. For example, your provider may check a sample of your blood for rheumatoid factor to help diagnose rheumatoid arthritis. They’ll check for high uric acid levels if they think you may have gout.

How do you treat arthritis in your hands?

Your healthcare provider will suggest treatments to manage the symptoms you’re experiencing. Common treatments include:

• Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medicine, like NSAIDs or acetaminophen
• Wearing a splint or brace can support your affected joints and keep them in the proper alignment
• Corticosteroids, a prescription anti-inflammatory medicine, including cortisone shots
• Physical therapy to improve your strength, range of motion and confidence while you’re moving and using your hands
• Occupational therapy to help you use assistive devices, if you need them
• DMARDs if you have rheumatoid or psoriatic arthritis
• Prescription medications, like allopurinol and colchicine, to help you manage gout and reduce flares

Hand arthritis surgery

Your provider will usually only suggest surgery for hand arthritis if nonsurgical treatments don’t help you feel better. Or if you’re still having severe symptoms after trying other treatments. The most common surgery types are:

• Joint fusion: This permanently joins two bones together to become one. It can relieve pain and increase stability if you have severe arthritis.
• Joint replacement: This is surgery to replace all or some of a joint. Your surgeon will replace worn-out or damaged bone and cartilage in your natural joint with a prosthetic implant.

Your provider or surgeon will tell you which type of surgery is best for you. They’ll give you a recovery timeline that’s customized to your unique needs.

When should I see my healthcare provider?

Visit your healthcare provider if you experience any of the following symptoms:

• Severe pain, especially if it lasts for more than a week
• Stiffness that’s getting worse, especially if you suddenly can’t move or use your hands or fingers like normal
• Worsening or more frequent flare-ups of usual symptoms

What can I expect if I have arthritis in my hands?

There’s no cure for arthritis. But your healthcare provider will help you find treatments that manage the symptoms you experience and how often they affect you.

Some people with arthritis experience more severe symptoms as they age. Ask your provider how often you should have follow-up visits to check for changes in your joints.

Can I prevent arthritis in my hands?

Some types of hand arthritis happen naturally or because of health conditions you can’t control. So, there’s not always a way to prevent it. But you can lower your chances by:

• Avoiding tobacco products
• Eating lots of nutritious food
• Staying physically active and doing low-impact exercise
• Always wearing proper protective equipment for any activity that could damage your hands