The hand is one of the most important tools of human labor and communication. The hand can gradually become stiff, painful and lose its inherent flexibility when attacked by arthritis. Arthritis in the hands and fingers is a common condition, especially in middle-aged and elderly people. However, not everyone can easily recognize the early signs of this disease, leading to late treatment and seriously affecting the quality of life
What are the common signs of hand arthritis?
Not all cases of arthritis in the hands present the same. Some people only feel mild pain or stiffness in the morning, while others experience persistent pain and swelling, or even obvious deformity of the hand.
Early detection and intervention not only help control symptoms but also contributes to maintaining hand function and significantly improving the quality of daily life. Here are 9 common signs of hand arthritis:
1. Joint pain
One of the first signs that the patient may feel is a dull pain in the joints of the hands and fingers, especially after a day of a lot of activity. The initial pain may not be too severe, just a slight burning sensation or discomfort when bending and stretching the fingers.
However, as arthritis progresses, the pain becomes more obvious, occurs even when resting, and can spread to nearby joints such as the wrist or forearm. This is an early warning that you should not ignore.
2. Stiffness in the morning
A fairly typical sign of hand arthritis is stiffness in the morning, right after waking up. You may find it difficult to clench your fists, hold a toothbrush, or simply bend your fingers.
It usually takes a few minutes to half an hour for the joints to “warm up” and move more easily. However, stiffness can also appear at the end of the day, after your hands have been overworked.
3. Crackling sound
When moving your hands or fingers, you may hear a slight cracking, grinding, or grinding sound. This is common in damaged joints, where the cartilage wears away, causing the ends of the bones to come into direct contact with each other and produce a sound. Although it is not always accompanied by pain, this noise is an early warning sign that the joint is being damaged.
4. Weakened grip
People with arthritis in their hands often find it difficult to grasp small objects or maintain strength when holding an object for a long time. You may find it more difficult to unscrew a bottle cap, hold a glass of water, or use scissors than before. Even simple movements such as pinching a sleeve or pressing a button can cause fatigue or sharp pain.
5. Warmth and redness
Some people may feel an unusually warm, slightly red, and tender area in their hands or fingers. This is a sign that an inflammatory reaction is occurring inside the joint, and that the body’s immune system is working hard to protect the affected area.
Although not everyone experiences this symptom, when it does, it is often a sign of active arthritis.
6. Swelling
Swelling in the joints of the fingers, hands, or thumbs is very common. You may notice that the knuckles look rounder, losing their normal shape. Wearing rings becomes difficult or impossible to remove easily. Swelling is caused by an inflammatory reaction that causes a buildup of joint fluid or thickening of the synovial membrane, a layer of tissue that surrounds the joint.
7. Loss of mobility
As the disease progresses, the patient will notice a limitation in the movement of the joints of the hands. Not only is it difficult to grip, but your hands will also feel sluggish and less flexible. Some people cannot fully straighten or bend their fingers, which seriously affects daily activities such as typing, cooking, and dressing.
8. Joint deformities
One of the more obvious signs of osteoarthritis is a change in the shape of the joint. The finger or thumb may bend, tilt to one side, or become bumpy due to damage to the cartilage and ligaments. This is not only unsightly but also significantly reduces the mobility of the hand.
9. Lumps or bent fingers
In the late stages of arthritis, you may notice small lumps appearing near the finger joints, usually at the middle or last phalanges. This is the result of the formation of bone spurs, which are abnormal growths of bone in response to cartilage wear. Fingers can become crooked and deformed, greatly hindering delicate activities such as writing, drawing, or even eating.
