Physicians can treat hand arthritis through both surgical and nonsurgical methods. When you’re treating the condition at home, the options focus on improving joint function and managing pain, swelling, and stiffness.
Let’s talk about some of the most effective ways in which you can minimize the symptoms often experienced with hand arthritis, and who you can talk to in order to find out more about keeping your own symptoms at bay.
How Can I Treat My Hand Arthritis?
Below are several tips for treating hand arthritis at home. You may need to try more than one, and combinations of them simultaneously, before you discover the right solution that works for you:
Rest
Give your hand a nice long break from working. If your work or hobby involves long hours of working with your hands, be sure to take regular breaks.
Lifestyle Changes
Certain lifestyle modifications can also help to minimize the strain on your hands and alleviate the symptoms. For example, you can use lightweight kitchen or gardening tools, and wear clothing with zippers instead of buttons.
Apply a Hot or Cold Compress
Applying heat or cold treatment to the hand can alleviate symptoms of arthritis. For heat therapy, you can use warm water, a hot water bag, or a heating pad. As for a cold compress, you can apply an ice pack or even a bag of frozen vegetables (such as peas). Just remember to avoid direct skin contact by first wrapping it in a towel.
Heat can help relax the muscles in your hand and alleviate stiffness in the joints. Meanwhile, cold can lessen swelling and inflammation while also numbing the pain.
Hand Exercises
Although arthritis can cause debilitating pain and hinder proper movement, exercise can actually be beneficial in dealing with discomfort. Physical activity with your hands can strengthen the muscles, improve flexibility, enhance range of motion, and increase your endurance.
Some simple exercises you can practice at home are as follows:
- Make a loose fist, open your hand, and make the loose fist again.
- Bend each finger toward the palm one by one, including the thumb. Then, straighten them out one by one.
- Perform a wrist stretch by holding your hand out and bending the wrist down toward the ground.
- Hold your hand flat on a surface and lift your fingers one at a time, then place them back down one at a time.
- Make the shape of an “O” with your hand and release (open your fingers).
You may repeat each of these exercises several times per session.
Medication
While medicine cannot get rid of arthritis, it can help tamp down the symptoms. Your physician may recommend anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen (such as Advil) to reduce the pain. There are also topical options such as creams and ointments, including menthol.
Hand Arthritis Treatment in Maryland
While there is no definitive cure for hand arthritis, there are plenty of things you can do at home to mitigate its symptoms. Your orthopedic doctor can also provide effective treatment methods that work on a more long-term basis.
Our physicians at Greater Chesapeake Hand to Shoulder can develop a treatment plan specifically for you. In addition to hand care, we also specialize in wrist, elbow, and shoulder health.
If you have any questions or would like to schedule a consultation with one of our skilled orthopedic doctors who specialize in the hand, contact us today by calling (410) 296-6232 or fill out our online form to request an appointment. We look forward to helping you get your dexterity back!
