World Arthritis Day 2022: Know All About The First Signs Of Arthritis In Hands

Hand arthritis causes discomfort, oedema, stiffness, and deformity. As arthritis advances, hands cannot be utilised to do ordinary chores that they could previously.

World Arthritis Day 2022: Know All About The First Signs Of Arthritis In Hands

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New Delhi: Arthritis is a disease that causes swelling and pain in one or more joints. Arthritis can affect the lining of the joints as well as the cartilage, which is the smooth coating at the ends of the bones. When the cartilage wears away, the ends of your bones become exposed, rub together, and wear away. Because our hands have numerous joints, they are a common site for arthritis to develop.

Hand arthritis causes discomfort, oedema, stiffness, and deformity. As arthritis advances, hands cannot be utilised to do ordinary chores that they could previously.

Symptoms of arthritis in hands:

Hand arthritis symptoms vary. A lot relies on the individual joints afflicted or the person's daily activity.

The majority of individuals will encounter:

• Pain while using their hands 
• Stiffness in joints which is more evident in the morning
• A shaky grasp
• Swelling and discomfort in the knuckles or around the wrist
• Experiencing difficulty in opening and closing fingers
• Finger bones become large and abnormally bent

Causes of arthritis in hands:

Although the exact cause is not known, the problem is generally caused by joint wear and tear, which happens gradually over time.

Hand Osteoarthritis has a hereditary component as well. Family members are more likely to acquire this problem than the general population.

A healthy joint has cartilage at the bone's end that cushions and enables smooth movement. Osteoarthritis causes cartilage to degrade, exposing the underlying bone and causing joint discomfort and stiffness.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory illness in which the body's immune cells attack the cartilage lining between the wrist and hand bones. Rheumatoid arthritis usually affects both hands and, in some circumstances, the elbows.

Diagnosis of arthritis in hands:

Hand arthritis is diagnosed with physical examination and tests. The doctor will examine the hand joints for symptoms of Osteoarthritis.

Some of the signs include:

Hand joint discomfort, oedema, deformity, and restricted range of motion

In certain situations, the doctor may also request an X-ray to examine for cartilage loss and other symptoms of injury. This might imply hand arthritis, and they should search for bone spurs and erosions.

The doctor may occasionally request an MRI to examine the bones and soft tissue in more detail.

Arthritis can be treated through medication, physical exercises, lifestyle adjustments, having a proper diet and surgery.