Arthritis is very common, with more than 100 types of arthritis and related conditions affecting millions of people. Arthritis can occur at any age, is the leading cause of disability in the U.S., and is especially common among women and older adults.
While arthritis is known for impacting the joints, hand arthritis can also cause significant discomfort and limit daily activities. Many types of arthritis can affect not only the hands and joints but also other areas of the body, such as the skin, eyes, heart, kidneys and lungs.
Common arthritis symptoms include:
Arthritis symptoms often come and go and may range from mild to severe. Severe hand arthritis can lead to chronic pain, difficulty with hand movement and challenges performing daily tasks. Over time, arthritis can cause permanent joint changes. Rheumatoid arthritis symptoms and psoriatic arthritis symptoms may also include fatigue, inflammation and stiffness in multiple joints, including the hands and wrists.
The various types of arthritis can be broken down into four main categories:
Degenerative arthritis, also called osteoarthritis, is the most common type of arthritis and frequently affects the hands. When joint cartilage wears away, bone rubs against bone, causing hand pain, swelling and irritation. Risk factors include excess weight, family history, age and previous injury. Severe osteoarthritis symptoms may require joint replacement.
Inflammatory arthritis occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks the joints, leading to ongoing inflammation. This type can cause joint erosion and damage to internal organs, eyes, and other tissues.
Rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis are the most common forms. Rheumatoid arthritis often affects the hand joints first and may cause significant hand pain, swelling and reduced function. Rheumatoid arthritis symptoms can include prolonged morning stiffness, fatigue and inflammation in multiple joints. Psoriatic arthritis may also impact the hands, causing swelling, stiffness and nail changes.
Infectious arthritis occurs when bacteria, viruses, or fungi enter a joint and trigger inflammation. These organisms can come from foodborne illness, contamination, sexually transmitted infections or blood-borne infections. Timely antibiotic treatment may resolve the infection, although chronic arthritis can sometimes develop.
Metabolic arthritis, such as gout, occurs when uric acid builds up and forms needle-like crystals inside a joint. This can cause sudden, severe joint pain. Gout may affect the hands, but most often impacts the feet and lower extremities. Without proper management, gout can become chronic and lead to ongoing disability.
Treatment for hand arthritis depends on the type and severity of arthritis symptoms. Options may include:
If you are experiencing hand arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis symptoms, psoriatic arthritis symptoms or think you may have any type of arthritis, contact the orthopedic specialists at Summa Health for a comprehensive consultation.
