Easing arthritis pain

When you’re painting, doing routine work around the house or even just trying to hold a cup of coffee, do you often notice a dull pain in your hand that may show up hours later or hurt into the next day?

If this sounds familiar, you may want to visit a doctor to see if you have arthritis.

Who is at risk for arthritis?

Arthritis is a condition characterized by inflammation of the joints. In the U.S., about one in five adults, or 53 million people, have some form of arthritis, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). By 2040, as the population grows and ages, the number of adults with doctor-diagnosed arthritis is projected to grow to 78 million.

The painful condition often occurs as people age and is more common in women than men, but genetics can also play a role. In some cases, injuries can also result in post-traumatic arthritis later in life.

What causes arthritis?

Garry Kitay, MD, a hand, elbow and shoulder specialist at Jacksonville Orthopaedic Institute, said the most common form is osteoarthritis, or “wear-and-tear arthritis.” This occurs when the cartilage that provides a cushion between the bones or joints – similar to shock absorbers in a car – deteriorates. The joints have very little soft tissue and over time, people can develop deformities in their hands, including cysts and swollen joints. This tends to be gradual and progressive, Dr. Kitay said.

Rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disease that is less common than osteoarthritis, often results in more dramatic symptoms of severe swelling pain and functional loss.

The CDC reports arthritis and other rheumatic conditions are a leading cause of work disability among U.S. adults.

Relief from arthritis symptoms

If your arthritis is flaring up, here are a few steps you can take to ease the symptoms:

• Warm the joints. Running your hands under or soaking them in hot or warm water, or using a heating pad can help with swelling and soothing stiff joints in the morning.
• Use over-the-counter medications. Nonsteroidal, anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen can help reduce inflammation and alleviate pain.
• Stabilize your joints. Using a hand splint can minimize joint movement and help reduce pain and swelling. Custom-molded splints made specifically for your hand are also an option.
• Use adaptive equipment. Some products can help enhance performance of daily activities, including those to help open jars or special grips made for utensils or pens.
• Exercise your hand and fingers. Hand therapy or daily exercises are essential. One you can try is to repeatedly make a fist with your thumb on the outside, and then stretch out your hand and fingers. Another is to extend each joint of your digits individually. Use your other hand and bend each joint in each finger.

“Just like stretching before and after your run, there are exercises you can do with your hands and fingers before and after your normal daily activities,” Dr. Kitay said. “In the morning, pain tends to be worse because swelling occurs more when you’re sleeping and not using your hands.”

If these options aren’t helpful, you may consider going to an orthopedic surgeon to have steroid injections. If effective, these can be given up to several times a year.

Surgical options for arthritis

Minimally invasive surgical approaches are also available if other steps aren't successful. Joints in the hand, including the base of thumb, can be replaced, similar to a hip. The bad joint can be removed and a new joint added using either your own “spare” tendons in your wrist or forearm or an implant made of synthetic material such silicone, Dr. Kitay said. Another option is to fuse the bad joint by bonding the two bones on either side of it.

“Although we can’t restore the cartilage that has been degraded by the arthritic process, we are quite successful in curing the pain caused by the disease. At times, achieving this requires a surgical procedure, such as joint replacement or reconstruction,” Dr. Kitay said. “Be aware of your body and your symptoms. Don’t feel like you have to suffer in silence. Take care of it like you would everything else. You take care of your heart; you should take care of your joints, as well.”