Our hands are responsible for helping us connect with the world. We use them to identify textures, hold things, and complete tasks. Arthritis makes it difficult to accomplish tasks comfortably. Having arthritis in your hands can be inconvenient, but it doesn’t have to bring your life to a standstill.
Here are some causes of hand arthritis and a few things you can try to help reduce your discomfort and get you back to doing what you love.
What Causes Hand Arthritis?
Pain from hand arthritis can make everyday tasks complicated. Not knowing how hand arthritis starts can make the matter more frustrating.
Hand arthritis occurs when the cartilage in your hands wears down. Cartilage helps to cushion your joints and allows them to move. Without cartilage, your joints no longer have a cushion and expose your bones to painful grinding against one another.
Several factors can increase your risk of developing hand arthritis, including:
- Weight
- Injuries
- Age
- Ethnicity
How is Hand Arthritis Diagnosed?
Talking with your doctor can help set your diagnosis in motion. To confirm hand arthritis, your doctor may use an x-ray to identify loss of cartilage and find bone spurs in your hands.
Can Arthritis Be Prevented?
Currently, there is no way to prevent arthritis. But, a few actions can help you cope with the discomfort. First, maintaining a healthy weight can help reduce pressure on your joints and limit strain. You can also make lifestyle adjustments, such as using an ergonomic keyboard, and performing hand motion exercises can help you manage pain from arthritis.
How is Arthritis Pain Treated?
While there is no cure for arthritis, you can reduce discomfort in several ways. For instance, anti-inflammatory pain medication can help you cope with the dull aches that arthritis brings. Also, some topical creams can help ease discomfort.
Other treatment methods include:
- Hot and Cold therapy
- Wearing a splint
- Steroid injections
- Surgical treatments
Your doctor can recommend a regimen that can help you based on the nature of your symptoms. The Orthopedic Associates of Long Island can help you find treatments to combat arthritis in your hands. Call our office to schedule a consultation at 631.689.6698.