Managing Arthritis in Your Hands

Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis in the hands. It affects the smooth cartilage that covers the bones that make up a joint, making movement difficult. This can cause pain and stiffness, and difficulty performing everyday tasks.

Chaitanya Mudgal, MD, MS (Orth.), M.Ch (Orth.), is a Mass General Brigham orthopedic surgeon who specializes in hand and arm conditions. He cares for patients at Massachusetts General Hospital, helping them manage hand arthritis by focusing on pain relief and improving function. Dr. Mudgal works closely with each patient to develop personalized treatment plans.

“Managing hand arthritis means more than just reducing pain. It’s also about helping patients use their hands better so they can stay independent and functional,” he explains. “By focusing on both pain relief and movement, you can keep doing everyday tasks more easily.”

If you have arthritis in your hands, Dr. Mudgal suggests using treatments and lifestyle changes to reduce pain and improve how your hands work. Early recognition and management of symptoms can help you maintain better hand function over time.

What are the symptoms of arthritis in the hands?

The symptoms often start gradually and get worse over time, affecting both large and small hand movements. Recognizing these symptoms early can help you manage the condition more effectively.

If you have arthritis in the hands, you may experience:

• Aching or sharp pain, especially during or after use.
• Joints that feel swollen, warm, or tender to the touch.
• Morning stiffness that improves with movement.
• Weak grip strength, making it harder to hold items. Opening jars and doorknobs, as well as carrying plates can be challenging.
• Difficulty with fine motor tasks like buttoning clothes, using a pen, or sewing.

Over time, arthritis in the hands can cause visible changes, such as bony bumps around the joints or fingers that appear crooked. These symptoms can make it harder to perform routine activities, but early treatment can help reduce the impact on your daily life.

How is arthritis in the hands treated?

Treating arthritis in the hands focuses on easing pain and helping you move better. For people experiencing chronic pain from arthritis, there are several ways to manage the symptoms:

• Take medications. Pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID’s) can help with pain and swelling. These may be prescribed by your doctor or available over the counter (OTC) at the pharmacy. It’s important to consult your doctor before taking these medications to ensure they don’t interact with your other medications or worsen any existing conditions, such as high blood pressure or kidney problems. Long-term use of these medications should only be done under your doctor’s guidance.
• Wear splints and braces. Wearing a splint or brace can support your wrist or fingers and reduce strain during activities. Your doctor may recommend a soft splint for thumb arthritis. You can buy these splints over the counter, or have one custom-made by an occupational therapist or certified hand therapist (OT/CHT). Most people wear soft thumb supports during the day because they provide support without limiting movement. You may need a harder splint at night to hold the joint still. For fingers, a silicone sleeve from an OT/CHT can help reduce pain while still letting you use your hand.
• Get cortisone shots. These injections may give temporary relief from pain, but they won’t cure the arthritis. Side effects from cortisone shots can include skin discoloration at the injection site as well as local skin thinning. In people with diabetes, cortisone injections may be linked to with a temporary (48-72 hours) increase in blood sugar.
• Surgery. If pain becomes too severe or it’s hard to move your hand, surgery may be an option. Arthritis surgery may reduce pain and improve how your hand works. It’s not typically done to save a life or limb.

Surgery for hand arthritis

When other treatments like medications or cortisone shots don’t help enough, you may need surgery. Your doctor helps you decide if surgery is the best option for you.

The two main surgery options for hand arthritis are:

1. Joint fusion. A surgeon fuses the bones in the affected joint together to stop movement at the joint and eliminate pain.
2. Joint reconstruction. A surgeon repairs or replaces the damaged joint with tissue or an implant to reduce pain and improve movement.

Both surgeries aim to reduce pain and help you do daily tasks more easily. Your recovery depends on the type of surgery, and your doctor guides you through the healing process to help you get the best results. In general, it is wise to plan for a 3 to 4-month recovery process after any arthritis surgery on the hand.

How can I manage arthritis pain at home?

Your doctor can guide you on the best treatment options, but there are several steps you can take at home to manage hand arthritis:

• Use warm and cold therapy. Use warm treatments like a heating pad or a paraffin wax bath to ease stiffness. Cold packs can help reduce swelling and numb the pain, especially after activity.
• Do hand exercises. Gentle exercises, such as finger stretches and fist-making motions, can keep your hands flexible and improve your grip strength. An OT / CHT can show you exercises tailored to your condition.
• Follow a healthy diet. Eating foods that fight inflammation, like leafy greens, berries, and fatty fish, can help reduce inflammation and support joint health. You might also consider taking oral turmeric, a natural anti-inflammatory available as OTC pills. However, turmeric can interact with some medications or conditions, such as blood thinners and diabetes, so it’s important to talk to your doctor before using it. Avoid turmeric if you’re pregnant.

By incorporating these strategies into your routine, you may be able to manage symptoms and improve hand function at home.

Assistive devices for hand arthritis

Assistive devices can help make daily tasks easier by reducing strain on your hands, which can help manage pain and protect your joints. Using the right tools can minimize stress on your joints, making everyday activities more comfortable. Some options recommended by physical and occupational therapists include:

• Jar openers: Designed to help you open jars without straining your hands
• Button hooks: Useful for fastening buttons on clothing when finger mobility is limited
• Lever door handles: Easier to use than traditional round doorknobs, especially for people with limited grip strength
• Reachers and grabbers: Tools that allow you to pick up objects from the floor or shelves without bending or overextending your hands and fingers
• Adaptive utensils: Specially designed forks, knives, and spoons can make eating easier by reducing the effort needed to hold and control utensils

These devices can make everyday tasks more manageable and help you maintain independence while managing arthritis symptoms. Additionally, sleeves for pens and crochet needles can make writing and crafting more comfortable.

When should you see a doctor for hand arthritis?

If you’re experiencing frequent pain, swelling, or stiffness in your hands, it’s important not to ignore joint pain. Early diagnosis and treatment can help manage arthritis symptoms and prevent further joint damage.

You should see a doctor if:

• Pain or swelling lasts more than a few days. If you have a fever, redness, or red streaks on your arm, see a doctor immediately. If you don’t have these symptoms but your hand pain continues for 7 to 10 days and doesn’t improve with the treatments mentioned above, it’s a good idea to schedule an appointment with your doctor.
• Symptoms worsen over time. If your hand stiffness or pain is getting worse, or if you notice new symptoms like warmth or redness around your joints, it may indicate inflammation that requires medical attention.
• You have difficulty doing daily activities. If tasks like gripping objects, opening jars, or typing become too painful or challenging, a doctor can help determine the best treatment.
• You have frequent flare-ups. If your hand symptoms come and go but are becoming more frequent, this could be a sign that arthritis is progressing.

The sooner you talk to your doctor, the sooner they can help create a treatment plan to manage your symptoms and maintain hand function.