What is Arthritis?
Arthritis is a medical condition that causes inflammation of the joints. Understanding arthritis begins with understanding the different forms of arthritis.
Osteoarthritis is a condition where joint cartilage breaks down.
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease affecting the joint lining.
Hand pain is one symptom of arthritis of the hand (also referred to as "hand arthritis").
Hand Arthritis Symptoms
Hand arthritis symptoms include, but are not necessarily limited to:
- Hand pain
- Swollen hands or fingers
- Loss of muscle function
- Joint stiffness
If you or a loved one experience any of the above hand arthritis symptoms, you should see an SOS hand pain doctor. SOS hand doctors are experienced in diagnosing and caring for patients with hand arthritis.
Hand Arthritis Causes
Knowing the cause of hand arthritis starts with understanding what causes the different forms of arthritis.
The cause of osteoarthritis is wear and tear that affects joint cartilage. This wear and tear can be a cause of aging, or an injury or infection to the joint.
When a patient's immune system targets a joint capsule's lining, rheumatoid arthritis develops.
Some people are more likely to develop arthritis. Patients with a family history of arthritis are more likely to develop arthritis. In addition, as people age, the risk of developing arthritis increases. A history of injuries to joints can also make patients more likely to develop arthritis. Obese patients are also at a higher arthritis risk.
Hand Arthritis Treatment
While hand arthritis does not have a cure, a hand pain doctor can help patient achieve a better quality of life as well as symptom relief.
Hand arthritis treatment options include:
- Altering a patient's activities that worsen hand arthritis symptoms
- Anti-inflammatory medicine
- Hand therapy
- Steroid injections
Hand Arthritis Surgery
If patients do not experience the symptom relief they're looking for, hand arthritis surgery may be their best option. While SOS uses conservative hand arthritis treatment first, an SOS hand surgeon can help improve a patient's quality of life.
Is You or Your Loved One's Hand Pain Caused by Hand Arthritis? Talk With an SOS Hand Doctor
The team of hand doctors and hand pain specialists at SOS can diagnose hand arthritis and develop a personal care plan.
For improved quality of life and hand pain relief...