Hand Osteoarthritis
Degenerative joint change affecting the fingers, thumb base or wrist, causing pain, stiffness and loss of function.
Where it occurs
Osteoarthritis commonly affects the distal and proximal finger joints and the thumb base. Post-traumatic arthritis can also develop in the wrist or individual joints after previous injury.
Symptoms
Pain, stiffness, reduced grip, swelling and bony enlargement may occur. Symptoms do not always match the degree of change seen on X-ray.
Diagnosis
The pattern of symptoms and examination is combined with imaging when needed. Blood tests may be requested if inflammatory arthritis is suspected rather than primary osteoarthritis.
Non-operative treatment
Activity modification, joint protection, splints, hand therapy, topical or oral pain medication when appropriate and selective injections can reduce symptoms.
Surgery
For severe function-limiting disease, procedures may include joint replacement, fusion, excision arthroplasty or other joint-specific operations.
Living with arthritis
Maintaining motion, strength and practical adaptations often matters as much as radiographic appearance. Treatment focuses on pain and function rather than X-ray findings alone.