Arthritis is a debilitating condition that affects the joints, causing pain and stiffness. It can significantly affect the hands, making everyday tasks difficult. The term “arthritis” covers more than 100 different types of joint diseases and conditions, each with its own symptoms and progression.
Hand arthritis is inflammation of the joints of the hand or wrist. This inflammation causes pain, swelling and limited mobility, severely affecting the function of the hand. The hands play an important role in our daily activities, and arthritis can interfere with this function, affecting overall quality of life.
Areas of the hands most commonly affected
Arthritis can affect any joint in the hand but is most common in:
- Base of the thumb: At the carpometacarpal joint (CMC).
- The middle joint of the finger: Also known as the proximal interphalangeal joint (PIP).
- The last joint closest to the tip of the finger: Called the distal interphalangeal joint (DIP).
Common symptoms of hand arthritis
Includes 6 common symptoms as follows:
1. Pain in the finger joints
Pain is one of the earliest and most common signs when hand arthritis appears. Initially, the pain may be fleeting or only appear when moving vigorously or holding for a long time. However, over time, the pain becomes dull and persistent even when doing nothing.
In particular, the pain tends to be worse in the evening or when the weather changes suddenly, making it difficult for the patient to sleep and causing prolonged fatigue. This directly affects daily activities and reduces the quality of life.
2. Stiffness in the morning
Another characteristic of hand arthritis is stiffness, especially in the morning when just waking up. Fingers can become less flexible and difficult to move, making it more difficult to perform simple tasks such as brushing teeth, holding a glass of water or typing on a keyboard.
This symptom can last from a few minutes to hours depending on the severity of the disease. Many people subjectively think that it is just a normal “tired hand”, but in fact this is a sign that needs attention and monitoring.
3. Prolonged swelling
Arthritis is not just a feeling of pain but also causes swelling in the affected joint area. The fingers can become larger than normal, accompanied by a burning sensation, heaviness and discomfort.
In some people, the swollen area is also noticeably red, especially when the inflammation is in the acute stage. Prolonged swelling not only makes it difficult to move but also creates a feeling of loss of aesthetics, making the patient lose confidence in communication and daily activities.
4. Sensitivity to touch or movement
When the inflamed joints become more sensitive, even a light touch can cause the patient to feel a sharp pain. Moving the hand, lifting heavy objects, or simply turning a door knob can also cause discomfort.
Because of this sensitivity, patients often tend to limit the use of their hands, gradually leading to muscle atrophy and reduced motor function. This is also the reason why early detection and treatment are very important to avoid long-term consequences.
5. Redness and heat in the joint area
When the inflammation progresses, the patient may notice that the skin in the affected hand joint becomes redder and hotter than other areas. This is the body’s response to the attack of inflammation, reflecting that there is an increase in blood circulation at the site of injury.
This sign is often accompanied by pain and swelling, signaling a stage of active inflammation. If not controlled promptly, the inflammatory reaction can spread and damage more joints.
6. Joint deformities and hypertrophy
In the late stages of arthritis, patients may observe joint deformities and the formation of small bone spurs around the joints, also known as bone spurs. These changes cause the fingers to become crooked, misaligned, and lose their normal shape.
In addition, abnormal bone growth also hinders smooth joint movements, making the hand stiff and difficult to move flexibly. This is a sign that the disease has progressed severely and is at risk of permanently affecting motor function if not properly intervened.
Home Remedies for Hand Arthritis
Managing arthritis at home can complement medical treatments and help relieve symptoms:
- Hot and cold therapy: Hot compresses can soothe stiff joints, while cold compresses can reduce swelling and numb pain.
- Exercise regularly: Gentle exercises, such as finger stretches and hand grips, can maintain joint flexibility and strength.
- Topical treatments: Over-the-counter creams containing capsaicin or menthol can provide temporary pain relief.
- Healthy diet: Eating anti-inflammatory foods, such as fish rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, can help control inflammation.
- Hand massage: Gently massaging the hands can improve circulation and reduce stiffness.
- Maintain a healthy weight: Losing weight can reduce stress on joints.
