Our hands play an important role in everything we do; the function of the hands is vital. Unfortunately, patients of all ages can suffer from arthritis. It could occur in many areas of the body, including the hand and wrist, leading to chronic pain and reduced range of motion.
When your hand joints are affected by arthritis, daily activities can prove difficult. If you want an effective treatment for arthritis, a hand surgeon can help relieve pain and restore the function of your hands. Keep reading to find out how a hand surgeon can help treat your arthritis.
What Is Hand Arthritis?
Arthritis is a disease that causes inflammation in the tissues of joints. Such inflammation can cause pain, swelling and joint damage. The three types of arthritis that commonly affect the hand and wrist are:
- Osteoarthritis. This is the most common type of arthritis. It causes the cartilage in affected joints to wear away over time, leading to swelling and pain.
- Rheumatoid arthritis. This is a chronic inflammatory disease that causes the joint lining to swell. It generally affects the joints on both hands.
- Psoriatic arthritis. This is a form of arthritis that affects the skin and joints. It may affect only some fingers and not the entire hand.
Some causes of hand arthritis include prior hand injury, wear and tear, immune system problems and genetics. As arthritis progresses, you might not be able to use your hands to perform daily tasks as you normally would due to symptoms.
How Is Hand Arthritis Diagnosed?
An orthopedic doctor diagnoses hand arthritis using the following methods:
- Medical history review. This includes asking questions about when your pain began, the affected areas and the severity of symptoms.
- Physical exam. The orthopedic doctor will examine the affected hand or wrist and check its mobility, flexibility and more.
- Imaging tests. X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs may be used to examine the bones and joints. A blood test may be needed to determine if it’s rheumatoid arthritis.
What Are The Treatment Options For Hand Arthritis?
Hand arthritis is usually treated with conservative methods. Your hand surgeon will determine the suitable treatment method by the type of arthritis and severity. Treatment options may include:
- Prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medications. These medications can help reduce pain and inflammation.
- Steroid injections. Steroids can help relieve pain and reduce inflammation. These injections are administered directly into the affected joint.
- Splinting or braces. Temporarily restricting hand or wrist movement helps ease pain. It stabilizes and protects the joint, reduces deformity and promotes proper alignment.
- Lifestyle modifications. These can include exercise, weight loss, healthy diet, quitting smoking and occupational therapy.
What Are The Surgical Procedures For Hand Arthritis?
Hand surgery is often recommended for patients with severe hand pain, loss of function or joint damage due to arthritis. Upon consulting with your hand surgeon, you may be able to choose from the following surgical procedures that will suit your needs the most:
Arthrodesis
In this procedure, the bones in the joint are fused together. It’s done by connecting the bones of the joint using metal wires or screws. Arthrodesis can be great for pain relief, but it will result in limited flexibility and mobility. Arthrodesis is often performed on patients with severely damaged joints that need pain relief more than mobility.
Arthroplasty
This procedure involves replacing the damaged joint with an artificial implant made of plastic, metal, ceramics or silicone. Your hand surgeon will remove the inflamed cartilage and the underlying bone before attaching the implant to the joint. While the implant allows normal joint movement and eliminates pain, hinged finger implants don’t always mimic normal finger movement.
Synovectomy
This surgery is often indicated for early cases of inflammatory arthritis with significant swelling (synovitis). It involves removing the inflamed tissue lining the joint (synovium). The procedure can be performed using arthroscopy, a minimally invasive surgical procedure.
You’ll discuss the appropriate surgical approach with your hand surgeon. Considerations will include your age, activity level, the affected joint(s) and the amount of pain or deformity in your hand. Surgery isn’t a cure for arthritis, but it can reduce or eliminate symptoms dramatically for many years. A hand surgeon will be able to determine the potential risks and benefits of hand surgery for you.
Hand Surgeon In Maryland
There is no cure for arthritis, but mild to moderate symptoms can be managed by conservative approaches. Surgery is also an option if other treatments fail or if your hand arthritis is severe. Hand surgery can be quite tricky — that’s why it’s important to have a skilled hand surgeon that can perform these procedures.
At Greater Chesapeake Hand to Shoulder, our providers specialize in diagnosing and treating conditions that affect the hands and wrists. We offer patients an extensive range of nonsurgical and surgical interventions for not only hand arthritis, but also many other conditions and injuries that affect the upper extremity. We are committed to providing consistently stellar, compassionate care for all our patients.
For more information about our services or to schedule a consultation with one of our hand surgeons, please call us at (410) 296-6232 or book an online appointment today.
