If your fingers are feeling painful and stiff throughout the day, you may have osteoarthritis of the hands. Though common—it occurs by age 85 in about half of all women and one-quarter of men—this condition can be painful and make it difficult to do certain things with your hands.
“Osteoarthritis is a form of arthritis that is related to trauma to the joints, or overuse or repetitive activity to joints,” says Tamika Henry, M.D., M.B.A., a board-certified family physician and founder of Unlimited Health Institute. “Think ‘wear-and-tear’ of the joints.”
Inflammation can cause the protective cartilage to wear away over time. The result is joints that rub together, bringing on that pain and stiffness in your hands. “When we talk about osteoarthritis of the hands, it typically affects three parts of the hand: The base of the thumb, the small joints closest to the fingertips, and the middle joints of the finger,” explains Ritu Madan, D.O., a rheumatologist at Memorial Health.
Meet the Experts: Tamika Henry, M.D., M.B.A., a board-certified family physician and founder of Unlimited Health Institute; Ritu Madan, D.O., a rheumatologist at Memorial Health; Levi Harrison, M.D., orthopedic surgeon, author, and motivational speaker
Below, experts explain everything to know about arthritis of the hand, including risk factors, symptoms, home remedies, and when it’s time to see a doctor.
Risk factors
Certain inherent and lifestyle factors can increase your chances of developing OA of the hands.
Age
“This form of arthritis usually impacts older people, especially those older than 50,” says Levi Harrison, M.D., orthopedic surgeon, author, and motivational speaker.
Genetics
“Family history make someone more prone to developing it,” says Dr. Madan.
Sex and race
People who are white are more likely to deal with OA of the hands compared to African Americans, according to the Arthritis Foundation.
Weight
OA in the hands has a higher risk of occurring in adults who are overweight or obese.
Health history
OA in the hands has been seen in individuals who have bone deformities, states Dr. Henry. “Also, someone who has suffered dislocated bones or broken fingers, perhaps playing baseball or another sport, would be more prone to developing hand arthritis,” adds Dr. Madan.
Pre-existing joint issues
Joint infections, loose ligaments, and poorly aligned joints can result in hand or wrist arthritis, reports the Arthritis Foundation.
Environmental
Working at a job where your hands make highly repetitive movements (such as a hair stylist, chef, artist, musician, or clothes manufacturer) could lead to OA of the hands, says Dr. Harrison.
Symptoms and triggers
Common complaints include pain, stiffening, limited range of motion, and swelling of the joints, explains Dr. Harrison. “Patients will often tell me they have difficulty opening jars and cans, or that their joint pain is worse in the morning,” he adds.
As time goes on, OA of the hands could cause a burning sensation or sharp pain after hours of using your fingers and hands, reports the Cleveland Clinic. Other long-term symptoms include changes in the joints, such as:
Swelling
The tissues surrounding the inflamed joints may lead to redness and tenderness, as well as feeling warm to the touch.
Cracking
A feeling of grinding, grating, or clicking, also known as crepitus or creaky joints, caused by the bones rubbing against each other when bending your fingers.
Nodules
Small, bony lumps may form on the middle joint of the finger (referred to as Bouchard’s nodes) or at the at the joint near the fingertip (known as Heberden’s nodes).
Cysts
If arthritis develops at the end joints of the fingers, small, mucous cysts may develop and cause ridging or dents in the nail plate of the affected finger, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS).
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Joint deformity
Due to bone changes, loss of cartilage, and joint swelling, the bones could become larger (known as hypertrophic).
OA in the hands could be exacerbated by certain triggers, such as stress, infection, rainy or cold weather, or extended use of the hands and fingers.
Home remedies
Since the main goal is to minimize inflammation in the body, quitting smoking, losing weight, resting your joints after a long day, eating an anti-inflammatory diet (which includes more plant-based foods and less alcohol/processed foods), and managing other inflammatory health conditions (such as cardiovascular issues or digestive disorders) may help reduce flare-ups, state all three doctors. Other non-prescription strategies include:
Stretching
“Stretching is important in every aspect of our lives since it decreases the likelihood of injury and it helps keep the joints and muscles mobile,” says Dr. Henry.
Topicals
Over-the-counter gels, liquids, and patches that contain nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can be gently rubbed on the sore joints for temporary relief.
Pain relievers
Over-the-counter medications, such as NSAIDs (like ibuprofen) and acetaminophen (Tylenol) can be taken when necessary.
Heat and ice
Apply either an ice pack on the joints to reduce swelling or a warm compress to lessen stiffness, suggests Dr. Madan. “Warm hand paraffin baths in the morning and nighttime before bed have also been shown to benefit many of my patients,” adds Dr. Harrison.
Supplements
Dr. Henry, who was diagnosed in childhood with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, recommends taking supplements shown to fight inflammation, such as turmeric, vitamin D, and omega-3’s. The Arthritis Foundation reports that some research indicates turmeric, omega-3’s, and ginger have been shown to help reduce joint pain and stiffness. (Consult with your physician before adding any new supplements to your daily regimen.)
Arthritis-friendly devices
For example, chop food using a mandolin slicer or food processor, open cans with an electric can opener, or grab items with a reaching aid.
Special office supplies
“Using ergonomic office items, like a keyboard and mouse, can help perform daily tasks with ease and without providing repetitive trauma to your fingers,” advises Dr. Madan.
Occupational therapy
A trained therapist can assist in improving your abilities and quality of life.
Hand exercises
The Mayo Clinic offers simple hand stretches that can offer relief for patients living with OA, such as the fist grip, the finger walk, the knuckle bend, and the thumb stretch.
Prescription treatments
While there are no medicines that can reverse joint damage or help slow the progression of OA, one prescription option for severe pain would be steroid injections into the joint, says Dr. Madan. “Surgical interventions, such as joint fusions or joint replacements, are the last possible areas to consider for end-stage osteoarthritis,” adds Dr. Harrison.
When to see a doctor
Mild cases of OA of the hand can usually be treated with lifestyle modifications and over-the-counter aids. However, the Mayo Clinic suggests consulting with a physician if you’re experiencing swelling, redness, and warmth around the joint. If the joint pain is severe, if the pain has surfaced in multiple joints, and/or if you’re dealing with other “unrelated” arthritis symptoms, such as fever, skin rash, or weight loss, a trip to the doctor is necessary, states UMass Memorial Medical Center.
Yet if joint pain is the result of a recent injury and symptoms include sudden swelling, inability to use the affected joints, and joint deformity, seek medical attention immediately.
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