Arthritis of the Hand? - Turn to a Hand Surgeon

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Arthritis of the Hand? - Turn to a Hand Surgeon

When Faced with Arthritis of the Hand, Turn to a Hand Surgeon

Rosemont, IL; July, 2004—(HealthNewsDigest.com)...Arthritis may

affect any joint in the body, but it is most visible when it strikes

the hands and fingers. If you suffer from arthritis of the hand, you

are not alone. More than 40 million Americans are affected by

arthritis of the hand—20 million suffer from osteoarthritis, and 2.1

million are diagnosed with the more severe rheumatoid arthritis. If

you or someone you know suffers from arthritis of the hand, relief

may be found as close as your nearest hand surgeon—a specially

trained physician who has dedicated his or her practice to both

surgical and non-surgical care and treatment of the hand.

Arthritis of the hand may be both painful and disabling. The most

common forms of arthritis in the hand are osteoarthritis and

rheumatoid arthritis.

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease in which the

cushioning cartilage that covers the bone surfaces at joints begins

to wear out. It may be caused by simple " wear and tear " on joints, or

it may develop after an injury to a joint.

Rheumatoid arthritis affects the cells that line and normally

lubricate the joints. It is a systemic condition, which means that it

affects multiple joints, usually on both sides of the body. The joint

lining becomes inflamed and swollen. The American Society for Surgery

of the Hand offers the following descriptions:

Signs and Symptoms of Arthritis of the Hand

Stiffness, swelling, loss of motion, and pain are symptoms common to

both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis in the hand. With

osteoarthritis, bony nodules may develop at the middle joints of one

or more fingers and at the finger tip. Osteoarthritis is very common

at the base of the thumb. In rheumatoid arthritis, some joints may be

more swollen than others. There is often a sausage-shaped swelling of

the finger. In either form, the joints may enlarge and the fingers

become crooked.

How Arthritis of the Hand is Diagnosed

Your doctor will examine you and ask whether you have similar

symptoms in other joints. X-rays will show certain characteristics of

arthritis, such as a narrowing of the joint space, the formation of

cysts or bony outgrowths and the development of hard areas of bone.

If your doctor suspects rheumatoid arthritis, he or she may request

blood or other lab tests to confirm the diagnosis.

Treatment Options for Arthritis of the Hand

Treatment is designed to relieve pain and restore function. Treatment

decisions are based on the type of arthritis you have, its

progression and its impact on your life. Anti-inflammatory

medications such as aspirin or ibuprofen may help reduce swelling and

relieve pain; prescription medications or steroid injections may be

recommended. Your physician may refer you to a physical or

occupational therapist because changing the way you do things with

your hands may help relieve pain and pressure. Temporary splinting is

often very helpful in relieving symptoms.

Osteoarthritis Treatments

If you have osteoarthritis, your physician may recommend a period of

rest. You may also be advised to wear finger or wrist splints at

night and for selected activities. Surgery is usually not advised

unless these treatments fail.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatments

If you have rheumatoid arthritis in your hands, medications can help

decrease inflammation, relieve pain and retard the progress of the

disease. Rest, controlled exercise, and wearing finger or wrist

splints may also be part of your treatment program. Several disease-

modifying treatments are now available.

Unfortunately, there is no cure for rheumatoid arthritis. However, in

many cases the active swelling decreases in time and with appropriate

medications and therapy. Surgical procedures can often help correct

deformities, relieve pain, and improve function. These options

include joint replacements, joint fusion and, in some cases, removing

damaged bone and swollen joint lining.

Find a Hand Surgeon Near You

To find a hand surgeon in your area, visit the American Society for

Surgery of the Hand's public information website and utilize the

free " Find a Hand Surgeon " service offered to the general public.

Simply visit: www.HandCare.org.

The mission of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand is to

advance the science and practice of hand surgery through education,

research and advocacy on behalf of patients and practitioners. The

field of hand surgery deals with both surgical and non-surgical

treatment of conditions and problems that may take place in the hand

or upper extremity (from the tip of the hand to the shoulder). Hand

surgeons can set fractures, provide appropriate nerve care, treat

common problems like carpal tunnel syndrome and tennis elbow,

reattach amputated fingers, create fingers for children born with

incompletely formed hands, and help people function better in their

day-to-day lives through restoring use of their fingers, hands, and

arms.

www.ASSH.org www.HandCare.org

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