Hand & Wrist Arthritis
Arthritis can cause pain, stiffness and swelling in the hand and wrist, making everyday tasks more difficult.
Hand and wrist arthritis occurs when the cartilage that cushions your joints wears away or becomes damaged, causing bones to rub against one another. This can lead to pain, stiffness, swelling and reduced mobility, making everyday activities like gripping objects, opening jars, writing or using a keyboard more difficult. At Summa Health Orthopedic Institute, our hand and wrist specialists provide comprehensive care to help relieve pain, improve function and keep you active.
Causes of Hand & Wrist Arthritis
Hand and wrist arthritis develops when the cartilage that cushions the joints becomes damaged or wears away over time. While aging is a common factor, arthritis can also result from injury, autoimmune disease or other underlying conditions.
Factors that may increase your risk of developing hand and wrist arthritis include:
- Aging and normal wear and tear on the joints
- Previous fractures, dislocations or other hand and wrist injuries
- Repetitive motions or overuse from work, sports or hobbies
- Family history of arthritis
- Autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis or psoriatic arthritis
- Metabolic conditions, including gout
- Joint infections, though these are less common
Identifying the underlying cause of your arthritis helps your orthopedic specialist develop the most effective treatment plan to reduce pain, preserve joint function and improve your quality of life.
Hand & Wrist Arthritis Symptoms
Symptoms can develop gradually or appear after an injury and may range from mild to severe. Common symptoms include:
- Pain in the hand, wrist or fingers
- Swelling
- Stiffness, especially after periods of rest
- Decreased range of motion
- Weakness or reduced grip strength
- Difficulty performing everyday tasks
- Joint tenderness or deformity in advanced cases
Without treatment, arthritis can progressively damage the joint, leading to chronic pain, reduced function and permanent joint changes.
Types of Hand & Wrist Arthritis
Several types of arthritis can affect the hand and wrist:
Infectious Arthritis
Also called septic arthritis, this condition occurs when bacteria, viruses or fungi enter a joint and cause inflammation. Although less common, infectious arthritis requires prompt treatment to prevent permanent joint damage.
Inflammatory Arthritis
Inflammatory arthritis occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy joints, causing inflammation that can damage cartilage and bone. Rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis are common examples. Early diagnosis and treatment can help slow disease progression and protect joint function.
Metabolic Arthritis
Metabolic arthritis, most commonly gout, develops when uric acid crystals build up within a joint. Gout can cause sudden episodes of severe pain, swelling and redness. Without treatment, repeated attacks can lead to chronic joint damage.
Osteoarthritis (Degenerative Arthritis)
The most common form of arthritis, osteoarthritis develops when the protective cartilage that cushions joints gradually wears away. As cartilage deteriorates, bones rub together, causing pain, stiffness and swelling. Risk factors include aging, previous injury, repetitive use, family history and excess weight.
Treatments for Hand & Wrist Arthritis
Treatment depends on the type of arthritis, the severity of your symptoms and your individual goals. Your orthopedic specialist may recommend one or more of the following:
- Activity modification
- Splints or braces to support the joint
- Over-the-counter pain relievers
- Topical pain-relieving creams or gels
- Prescription nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) for inflammatory arthritis
- Biologic medications for certain autoimmune forms of arthritis
- Hand therapy or physical therapy to improve strength, flexibility and function
- Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) for pain relief
- Corticosteroid injections
- Surgery, including joint reconstruction or joint replacement, when conservative treatments no longer provide relief
Meet Our Hand, Wrist and Elbow Team
As part of the Summa Health Orthopedics Institute, our hand, wrist and elbow team is led by board-certified, fellowship-trained surgeons with advanced expertise in treating these conditions and injuries. Working closely with therapists and other specialists, they provide personalized care focused on relieving pain, restoring function and helping patients get back to their daily activities.