Osetoarthritis (OA) involves degeneration of a joint or joints due to excessive wear and tear. While OA can affect joints throughout the body, it commonly affects those in the hand. People with hand OA often report feeling generalized pain and morning stiffness in the joints. In regard to appearance, people with hand OA often have enlarged knuckles and excessive bone growth on the sides of the fingers.
Although hand arthritis symptoms may be quite severe, there are many simple remedies that can help one decrease pain and stiffness.
1. Soak and exercise hands in warm water.
Many people with hand OA report that soaking their hands in warm water in the morning assists in decreasing the stiffness.
• Begin by filling a clean sink or large basin with warm (not hot) water.
• If swelling is also noted, add approximately ¼ cup of Epsom salt to the water to assist in decreasing the swelling.
• While soaking the hands, gently perform range-of-motion exercises, such as opening and closing the fingers (fisting) and spreading the fingers apart and then back together.
• If you notice hand stiffness during a time when soaking is not an option, you can perform the same range-of motion exercises under running water.
2. Avoid excessive gripping/twisting/turning tasks.
Osteoarthritis symptoms are often triggered by overuse activities. Therefore, to deter an increase in pain and stiffness, avoid excessive gripping/twisting/turning tasks. There are many commercially available items than can help you avoid straining your hands. For instance:
• Electric can opener — Can significantly decrease the amount of stress on the hand, versus using a manual can opener.
• Electric and automatic jar openers — Also handy to use at home to decrease strain to the hands.
3. Avoid strenuous tasks.
If you are having an increase in pain and stiffness, otherwise known as a “flare-up” of symptoms, avoid strenuous tasks. For instance:
• Use the dishwasher instead of hand-washing the dishes and silverware.
• Use a grocery cart or get groceries delivered, rather than carrying heavy grocery bags from the store to home.
4. Wear splints.
Another way to decrease osteoarthritis symptoms is to don splints. Splints are orthotics prescribed by physicians and can be fabricated by an occupational therapist specializing in hand therapy. Splints can assist in decreasing arthritic pain and help you be more independent in performing functional tasks otherwise limited by OA symptoms. For instance, people with severe hand OA may have difficulty with pinching tasks, such as turning a key, and a splint can enable the patient to perform the task independently by substituting for anatomical abnormalities in the hand.
5. Avoid working through the pain.
The most important thing to remember is to avoid working through the pain. Pain is a sign that you need to stop what you are doing, take a break from the task, and modify the task so you can perform it in a pain-free manner.
To find an excellent doctor who is right for you, please call our Physician Referral Service at 866.804.1007.