What are the other Names for this Condition? (Also known as/Synonyms)

• Degenerative Osteoarthritis of Hand
• Hand Arthritis
• Inflammation of the Hand Joint

What is Arthritis of the Hand? (Definition/Background Information)

• Arthritis is a joint disorder characterized by an abnormal inflammation that affects one or more joints, within the body. Generally, arthritis increases with age. The majority of individuals who develop the condition begin experiencing pain and stiffness, in the affected joint or limb.
• Arthritis of the Hand affects the joints of the hand; especially the cartilage, bone, soft tissue surrounding the joint, muscles, and tendon. The joints may include, the joints in the bones of, either the palm or the fingers.
• There are many causes of Arthritis of the Hand. Major causes are: Degenerative osteoarthritis, post-traumatic arthritis, avascular necrosis, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and gout (gouty arthritis).

There are several different types of arthritis. The most common types of Hand Arthritis that may develop include:

• Degenerative Osteoarthritis of Hand: It is a common type of arthritis. Osteoarthritis is characterized by a progressive degeneration of cartilage, bones, or synovial membrane, within the joint, usually over a prolonged time period
• Post-Traumatic Hand Arthritis: It is a common type of osteoarthritis. Post-Traumatic Hand Arthritis is a progressive degenerative disorder that may develop after a significantly traumatic injury to the hand
• Avascular Necrosis of Hand: Avascular Necrosis of Hand occurs when blood flow to hand joint is disrupted. This results in tissue damage (of both the bone and soft tissue surrounding the joints). Common causes of avascular necrosis include, chronic steroidal therapy, sickle cell disease, and trauma to the joint
• Rheumatoid Arthritis involving Hand: Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune systemic inflammatory condition that may affect the lining of joints, surrounding tissues, or organs, within the body. It is a common type of arthritis
• Systemic Lupus Erythematosus causing Hand Arthritis: Systemic lupus erythematosus is an autoimmune systemic inflammatory condition that occurs when an individual’s immune system creates antibodies that accidentally attack healthy tissues and organs within the body
• Gout involving Hand Joint: A complex type of inflammatory arthritis, gouty arthritis is a medical condition caused by a high level of uric acid within the blood. A gout attack occurs by the abnormal formation of crystallized uric acid, resulting in inflammation of the joints. Gout generally affects small joints of the foot. Involvement of hand joint by gout, is not common

Who gets Arthritis of the Hand? (Age and Sex Distribution)

• Individuals of all age, race, or ethnic groups, and belonging to any gender, may develop Arthritis of the Hand
• However, a high percentage of individuals who develop Hand Degenerative Arthritis causing a debilitating and progressive disorder, are middle-aged and elderly adults
• Young athletes who sustain a traumatic joint injury while participating in rough or high-impact sports, may develop Post-Traumatic Hand Arthritis
• Hand Degenerative Osteoarthritis and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus causing Hand Arthritis is more common in females

What are the Risk Factors for Arthritis of the Hand? (Predisposing Factors)

Risk factors associated with Arthritis of the Hand include:

• Age: Degenerative Osteoarthritis of the Hand may develop in individuals of all ages, but is rarely diagnosed in individuals under the age of 40 years. However, since it is a gradually progressing disorder, the risk of developing this condition usually increases with age
• Gender: Degenerative Osteoarthritis of the Hand and rheumatoid arthritis are more likely to develop in women. However, men have an increased risk of developing gouty arthritis
• Athletics: Individuals who sustain a hand joint injury while participating in a rough or high-impact sports, such as football, basketball, soccer, wrestling, rugby, hockey, skiing, and snowboarding, are prone to developing Post-Traumatic Hand Arthritis
• Family history: Some arthritic disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis, have a genetic prevalence. Those having an immediate family member or a relative with a history of rheumatoid arthritis condition, may be at an increased risk
• Smoking: Various studies have found that smoking is one of the key contributing factors for the development of rheumatoid arthritis
• Certain occupations: Individuals with certain occupations (like carpenters and painters), which require a set of repetitive physical movement/motion for prolonged periods, have an increased risk of developing Degenerative Osteoarthritis of the Hand

It is important to note that having a risk factor does not mean that one will get the condition. A risk factor increases ones chances of getting a condition compared to an individual without the risk factors. Some risk factors are more important than others.

Also, not having a risk factor does not mean that an individual will not get the condition. It is always important to discuss the effect of risk factors with your healthcare provider.

What are the Causes of Arthritis of the Hand? (Etiology)

Many different contributing factors exist, since there are several different types of arthritis. Some causes that may be associated with Arthritis of the Hand include:

• Sports-related injury: Post-Traumatic Hand Arthritis may develop in individuals who sustain a joint injury, while participating in rough or high-impact sports, such as football, basketball, soccer, wrestling, rugby, hockey, skiing, and snowboarding
• Certain occupations: Individuals with certain occupations that require a set of repetitive physical movement/motion for prolonged periods, such as carpenters and painters, may be affected by Degenerative Osteoarthritis of the Hand
• Family history: Some arthritic disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis, have a genetic prevalence. Those having an immediate family member or a relative with a history of this condition, may be at risk

In all of the above cases, the cartilage tissue covering the joint is damaged, either due to inflammation (such as rheumatoid arthritis), or due to repeated stress/trauma (such as degenerative osteoarthritis). The thinning of cartilage causes bone-on-bone contact in the joints. Once the bones are rubbing on each other, it causes pain, stiffness, and abnormally restricted joint movement

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Arthritis of the Hand?

Arthritis is a gradual and progressive disorder that usually worsens over time. Common signs and symptoms associated with Hand Arthritis include: 

• Noticeable pain and tenderness (pain on touch)
• Swelling of tissue (due to inflammation) around the hand joint
• Stiffness, decreased range of motion of the hand joint
• Formation of cysts around the affected hand joints
• Hand joint deformity
• Noticeable redness due to an inflammatory response of the body

How is Arthritis of the Hand Diagnosed?

Diagnostic methods that a physician may use to help diagnose Arthritis of the Hand include:

• Physical examination: A thorough physical examination of the hand may be undertaken by the physician. In addition to this, a complete medical history will aid in arriving at the correct cause of Hand Arthritis
• X-rays: X-rays are utilized to visualize images of the hand. It can also help the physician rule out other possible causes of hand discomfort
• Blood test: A blood sample is drawn from an artery or vein using a needle and taken to a laboratory for analysis. Blood tests such as complete blood count (CBC), rheumatoid factor (RF) levels, cultures of the joint fluid, lupus blood tests (SLE panel), help the healthcare provider arrive at a cause for Hand Arthritis
• Fine needle aspiration (FNA) of joint fluid analysis: Occasionally, fluid may accumulate around a joint, which results in pain and disability. Analysis of this joint will provide clues regarding the cause of joint fluid accumulation 
• Ultrasound imaging: An ultrasound imaging equipment uses high-frequency sound waves to generate a more detailed image of the hand
• MRI and CT scan of the affected hand joints: This helps assess the damage to the joint and surrounding tissue
• Arthroscopy: During this procedure a surgeon inserts a thin tube attached to a camera (a fibro-optic camera) into the joint, via a small incision on the skin of the joint. Visualizing the joint via a camera helps the healthcare provider arrive at a cause of Hand Arthritis. Arthroscopy is considered to be a minimally invasive diagnostic tool

Many clinical conditions may have similar signs and symptoms. Your healthcare provider may perform additional tests to rule out other clinical conditions to arrive at a definitive diagnosis.

What are the possible Complications of Arthritis of the Hand?

Arthritis is a progressive condition that gradually worsens over a long period of time.  The complications from Hand Arthritis include:

• Chronic pain and stiffness of the hand joint, which may prevent individuals from performing their routine daily activities
• Some cases may cause permanent disability (frozen joints)

How is Arthritis of the Hand Treated?

The treatment measures depend on the cause of Hand Arthritis and these are grouped as non-surgical and surgical treatment methods. A healthcare provider may start with non-surgical treatment methods before adopting surgical procedures and techniques. However, in some cases, the healthcare provider may elect to use surgical treatment methods, if the symptoms or the condition, cannot be managed with conservative non-surgical methods.

Nonsurgical treatment measures that may help relieve pain and improve range of motion of the hand joint include:

• Rest: Any activity that aggravates the hand condition further should be avoided. The physician usually advises to refrain from all such activities, until the symptoms stop
• Heat and ice: Applying a damp heated towel or ice to the hand joint, can help reduce pain and swelling
• Splint or brace: Some type of padded splint or cast may be used to help keep the hand joint in a stable position, especially while sleeping
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication: Oral medications, such as ibuprofen and naproxen, can help decrease pain and swelling in the hand
• Corticosteroids: Oral steroidal medications, such as prednisone, may help decrease inflammation and increase motion range of the hand
• Viscosupplementation therapy: The normally present fluid (synovial fluid) within a joint contains a material called hyaluronic acid. When a joint is affected by osteoarthritis, there is a reduction of hyaluronic acid level within the joint. This decreased acid level reduces the fluid’s ability to lubricate the joint. Viscosupplementation is a common and minimally invasive technique that is used in treating osteoarthritis. During this procedure, small doses of hyaluronic acid are injected into the hand joint, to increase its lubrication and thereby relieve pain
• Physical therapy: After the signs and symptoms have decreased, it is important to begin some light motion exercises. Physical therapy may help restore strength, as well as flexibility, in the muscles
• Injection of steroids into the joints: Steroid injection into the joint helps in temporary relief of symptoms (such as pain), and in improving the range of motion. However, it is important to note that steroidal injections only provide a temporary relief and prolonged episodes of such injections, may injure the joints in the long run

Surgical treatment measures include:

• Joint fusion: In a joint fusion, the arthritic part within the hand joint is removed and the two adjoining bones are fused together. The purpose of this procedure is to relieve pain, stabilize the joint, and regain some range of motion with the hand

How can Arthritis of the Hand be Prevented?

Common recommendations to help prevent Arthritis of the Hand are:

• Healthy body weight: Maintaining a healthy body weight can help reduce abnormal pressure within the joints, which may decrease the risk of arthritis
• Healthy diet: Individuals who consume a healthy diet regularly, may decrease their chances of developing Hand Arthritis 
• Use protective gear: Individuals who participate in high-risk sports activities (like football), should wear appropriate safety equipment to help prevent the possibility of injuring their hands, or other joints
• Regular stretching exercise helps decrease the incidence of development of Arthritis of the Hand

What is the Prognosis of Arthritis of the Hand? (Outcomes/Resolutions)

• The long term prognosis with arthritis depends on the specific type of inflammatory and degenerative disorder an individual develops, and the severity of the condition
• If the cause of Hand Arthritis is detected early, and proper, aggressive treatment provided; then, the quality of life can be substantially improved. This also helps avoid any serious complications from arising in the hand joint
• Degenerative Osteoarthritis of the Hand is a debilitating disorder. A high percentage of individuals who develop this disorder may experience a gradual degeneration of their hand joint, over their lifetime

Additional and Relevant Useful Information for Arthritis of the Hand:

Fine needle aspiration (FNA) of joint fluid analysis procedure:

• A needle is inserted within the joint space and the accumulated fluid aspirated with a syringe, which is then sent to a laboratory for analysis
• The tests a laboratory may perform would include:  Analysis of the type of cells present in the fluid, chemical composition of the fluid, and examination of the fluid under the microscope, for the presence of crystals
• If an infection is suspected as the cause for fluid accumulation at the joint, then a joint fluid culture may be performed, to remove fluid from the joint

One must be careful while adopting unproven and non-evidence based claims, such as copper bracelets and magnets, for treating joint disorders. Your healthcare provider is the best source for advice, on new methods of treatment.