Information about Arthritis in Hands

Arthritis is the name for over 300 kinds of joint inflammation diseases. Inflammation is the body’s natural reaction to disease or injury. It includes swelling, pain, and stiffness. The bones that make up a joint are covered with cartilage. Cartilage is a smooth spongy material that allows joints to move without pain. When arthritis occurs, the area in the joint becomes inflamed causing pain and difficulty moving. The most common kinds of arthritis in hands are rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis is also known as degenerative joint disease. This kind of arthritis in hands mostly affects the elderly. With osteoarthritis, the joints start to degenerate. Degeneration is usually part of the aging process. The cartilage in the surfaces of bones starts to wear out causing the bones to grind together. Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory disease that causes stiffness, pain, and joint swelling. With rheumatoid arthritis, the lining in the joints becomes painful, inflamed, and swollen. This kind of arthritis in hands usually lasts over a long period of time. It can cause damage to cartilage, bone, tendons and ligaments.

Other than injuries or mechanical trauma, there is no known cause of arthritis. The symptoms of arthritis in hands include stiffness, swelling, and loss of motion in fingers. Risk factors for arthritis include age, gender, obesity, and work factors. Arthritis occurs more frequently in women than men. Excess weight puts stress on weight-bearing joints which causes extra wear and tear on these joints. Jobs that require a lot of movement and heavy lifting can bring stress to joints. Work-related injuries can lead to arthritis as well.

A doctor or physician can give information about tests, diagnosis, and management of the pain. The treatment for arthritis in hands is usually for symptom relief and inflammation control. Although there are some medical injections that help temporarily restore the flexibility of joints, there is no cure for rheumatoid arthritis.