CONDITIONS

The most common conditions are Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis. Both conditions can affect any of the joints of the finger, thumb, hand or wrist on either or both sides of the body.

DEFINITION

Arthritis is a relatively common, yet serious, condition in which the cartilage of the joints deteriorates, resulting in direct contact between the bones. In a healthy joint, the cartilage allows the interacting bone surfaces to fit together as a set and move smoothly against one another. When the cartilage wears out, the fit of the joint becomes irregular. The effect of arthritis is most noticeable in the hands and fingers. Arthritis of the hand and wrist is painful and potentially disabling.

SYMPTOMS

The most common symptoms of arthritis are pain, swelling and difficulty when using the hand for routine, daily activities. Patients may also notice a deformity as their fingers drift away from the thumb and toward the outside of the hand. These conditions will generally worsen over time. As the disease progresses, patients may experience pain even during rest. A loss of strength occurs in the hand, fingers and thumb. In the most severe cases, a bump will develop at the base of the joint where it has moved out of position.

TREATMENT

A variety of treatment options are available depending on the nature and severity of the case. In less-severe cases, splinting or simply changing daily activity can alleviate the problem. Additionally, pain medication and anti-inflammatory drug injections may be recommended. If these forms of treatment do not work, surgical repair of the joint may be necessary.

A variety of surgical techniques are available that effectively reduce and often eliminate pain, re-align the position of the thumb and fingers and improve the overall function of the hand. A consultation with your doctor will help decide the best option for you.