Arthritis
On this page:
Osteoarthritis (OA)
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the loss of the smooth cartilage surface covering a joint. The bony surfaces also start to thicken and can grow outwards (spurs). In severe cases the cartilage can become so thin that it causes the bones to grind against each other. All of this can result in pain, swelling and stiffness at a joint/s.
How can Hand Therapy help for the following joints?
THUMB
The most common joint affected with OA is the base of the thumb. You may notice a change in the shape of your thumb, as well as difficulty with pinching and gripping due to pain.
Hand therapy treatment will maintaining movement and functional use of the hand, as well as managing pain and other symptoms. Your therapist may advise you on splinting, assistive devices and activity modification, to help you manage your daily life.
Link for OA thumb booklet:
Link for joint protection:
Joint protection techniques for hand and finger arthritis
DIGITS
The most common joints affected are the first and second knuckles of your finger. You may notice small painful bony bumps forming on the outside of these joints.
Hand therapy treatment will involve maintaining movement and functional use of the hand, as well as managing pain and other symptoms. Your therapist may advise you on assistive devices and activity modification, to help you manage your daily life.
Link for OA on terminal joint handout:
Useful Links: https://www.versusarthritis.org/
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition which is affecting the joints. The main symptoms can be pain and inflammation. Usually RA affects multiple joints (wrists, fingers or knees) of the body on both sides, but typically small joints are affected first (such as wrists, hands and feet). At late stages RA can result in bone erosion and joint deformities. The symptoms may last for days or months and usually come and go in what we call flare periods.
Main symptoms that will affect the hands are primarily joint pain and swelling or stiffness that last for several weeks. Very often patients experience morning stiffness that lasts for 30 minutes or longer especially during the winter period.
Hand therapy can help in the management of RA for symptoms relief by providing a personalized exercise program to strengthen your muscles and improve your function needs. Others include education about ways to perform tasks that put less stress on the affected joints and use of ergonomic tools and devices that spare the joints, like adaptive knives, jar openers and key holders. These devices and others help you do tasks with less force in the painful joints. Depending on the needs we can provide ready-made or custom splints so that you can use your hands while wearing them.
For further information regarding management of Rheumatoid Arthritis, please see below links: