Have you seen a person with deformed hands? It could have been caused by hand osteoarthritis. Before we talk about hand osteoarthritis, however, let’s look into the basics of arthritis and osteoarthritis first so we’ll have a better understanding of what causes it.
What Is Arthritis?
Arthritis is described as a medical condition referring to an inflammation in the joints.
Osteoarthritis happens when the protective cushion between the joints called cartilage wears out. What happens is that bones begin to rub directly against each other and this result to structural changes visible on X-rays. Osteophytes, also known as bone deposits or bone spurs may then develop on the joint’s edges. This will also affect the soft tissues which stabilizes the joints.
Arthritis is often painful, but there are also times when there’s no pain. Over time, however, arthritis can result to joint deformity which eventually limits the function and motion of joints.
What is Osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis, also known as degenerative arthritis because it becomes worst in time, affects one or more joints anywhere in the body. The most affected joints are the hands and the knees, ankles, and feet as they carry the weight of the body.
What Causes Osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis develops because of the following:
- Genes – when a parent or both parents have osteoarthritis;
- Heavy usage and traumatic injuries which resulted in joint irregularities;
- When joints are unstable and/or misaligned, this leads to degeneration;
What Is Hand Osteoarthritis?
There are numerous spots in the hand where the effects of osteoarthritis can be seen:
- Notice bumps or bony knobs at the joint located at the base of the thumb, exactly where the thumb meets the wrist;
- Bumps called Heberden’s nodes can be seen in the joint at the end of the finger closest to the nail;
- Bumps called Bouchard’s nodes may be seen in the joint in the middle of the finger;
- In the wrist;
- People who feel a deep, aching pain, and who are having trouble gripping or pinching things with any kind of strength, or opening lids, or even turning keys, they have osteoarthritis located at the base of the thumb.
Can Hand Osteoarthritis Be Treated?
The treatment is more on reducing or eliminating pain and/or restoring function and mobility. The are two ways to do this: surgical and non-surgical treatments.
Non-surgical involves giving medications such as anti-inflammatory and/or analgesic drugs to be taken orally; injections of pain reliever/steroid combinations; the use of finger or wrist splints or soft sleeve devices during the night or during certain activities; resting the joints; using heat treatments like paraffin baths or cold treatments; using topical treatments; performing exercises as instructed by a doctor or an occupational therapist.
Surgical procedure becomes necessary when the pain becomes too severe, or when movement becomes too limited. There are two types of surgery:
- Joint fusion where the bones are fused together; and
- Joint reconstruction which involves replacing the joint surface that has deteriorated with a joint implant or with tissue such as tendons.
