Arthritis in the hand or wrists is common, but can be very debilitating. We use our hands for the vast majority of our daily living activities, from washing and dressing to more intricate tasks such as typing or threading a needle. When the joints in the hand and the digits are affected by arthritis, day to day living can be very difficult.
What causes hand arthritis?
Osteoarthritis is one of the main causes of hand arthritis. The hands and wrists are made up of many small bones and joints, which interact with each other to provide the range of motion needed. The joints are protected by a layer of cartilage, which acts as a shock absorber and provides a smooth surface for the bones of the joints to glide over easily. However, over time cartilage
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However, this can cause swelling within the joint, and reduce motion.
An injury to the hand or wrist, such as a fracture or dislocation, can make the joints more susceptible to arthritis, especially if the surface or the joint has been damaged.
Hand arthritis can also occur as the result of disease such as rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease which affects the whole body, so it is likely that other joints will also be affected, and other symptoms, such as fever, fatigue and general stiffness, may also be
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Sensations of pain may be present constantly, not just when the hands are in use. Swelling of the affected joints is likely to occur, which can make them appear larger, and the area may be red and appear warm to the touch. The motion and use of the joints is likely to be affected, and daily living tasks will become increasingly more difficult.
Crepitus may be experienced; crepitus is the grating or clicking sensation experienced by the damaged cartilage surfaces rubbing against each other. If the end finger joints are affected, small cysts can develop.
If rheumatoid arthritis is the cause, subcutaneous nodules can develop under the skin and can be accompanied by joint damage and deformity.
Arthritis caused by osteoarthritis can be diagnosed by X-ray or bone scans if the disease is in the early stages. Rheumatoid arthritis can generally be detected by blood tests.
Treatment
There are a range of treatments available for hand arthritis, consisting of non surgical or surgical options.
Non surgical treatments work by relieving pain and inflammation, and preventing further deterioration of the joints. Anti-inflammatory medications are likely to be
Also evident are molluscoid pseudotumors (fleshy lesions associated with scars) frequently found over pressure points (e.g. elbows) and subcutaneous spheroids, which are commonly mobile and palpable on the forearms and shins. Complications of joint hypermobility include sprains, dislocation are common in the shoulder, patella and temporomandibular joints Muscle hypotonia and slower gross motor development also can occur It is inherited in an autosomal dominant manner (Clarke, D., Skrocki-Czerpak, K., Neumann-Potash, L.). In the Hypermobile type of EDS, the joints of the body experience Hypermobility, which is the dominant clinical manifestation. General joint hypermobility affects large (elbows, knees) and small (fingers and toes) joints. Skin is hyperextensible, smooth/velvety, and bruising occurs easily as well.
These recurrent nodules and abscesses not only cause pain, but self-consciousness, social isolation and even depression. Other less common complications include severe infections, restricted movement caused by a buildup of fibrosis and a type of skin cancer called squamous cell carcinoma.
The first non-operative treatment is physical therapy, which is the treatment of disease, injury, or deformity by physical methods. The methods include massages, heat treatments, and different exercises. The second non-operative treatment is ice and heat application. This method includes the use of ice and heat to stimulate blood flow and decrease swelling. The use of ice applied with compression and elevation treat patellar dislocation. (Arbuthnot, 1) In the same way, Heat is also used. Heating therapies are considered to be superficial or deep. Deep heating involves conversion of energy from one form to another within the tissues such as acoustic energy or diathermy. Superficial heating occurs by conduction such as hot pack, hot spa, and radiation. (Arbuthnot, 2) The third non-operative treatment is electrical stimulation. Electrical stimulation is a therapy that passes an electrical current to an affected area of the body. This type of stimulation alters muscle’s contractility which then increases blood flow to the tissues of the thigh. The picture below shows a patient who is receiving electrical stimulation. The fourth non-operative treatments are braces and patellar taping. Braces are used to restore proper alignment. Similarly, Patellar taping is used to provide stability for the knee. It seems to be a safe and effective way to treat patellar dislocation. (Aminaka,
Rheumatoid arthritis is not curable. Medications will be recommended to relieve pain, reduce inflammation, slow the progression of RA, and save joints and tissues from permanent damage (Rheumatoid Arthritis, 2017). The most common medications are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) and disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARD), e.t.c. When having RA, it is important to exercise regularly, apply heat or cold to affected areas, relax, and eat healthy. Physical therapy is usually part of treatment for RA. The goal is to stimulate the bones, muscles, and joints to give them strength and flexibility (Physical Therapy for RA, n.d.). Foods that have lots of omega-3 (fish, chia seeds, flax seeds, and walnuts), high antioxidants like vitamin A, E, and C (berries, dark chocolate, spinach, kidney beans, pecans, and artichokes), and lots of fiber can help reduce inflammation (Foods that fight RA inflammation,
Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis, it affects millions of people around the world. It is also known as Degenerative Joint Disease or Degenerative Arthritis or Wear & Tear Arthritis. Osteoarthritis occurs when the protective cartilage in the joints wear down over time. While osteoarthritis can affect any joint in your body, it more often is seen in the knees, hips, hands, neck, and lower back it worsens as you grow older and has no known cure.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Abstract The wrist is surrounded by a band of fibrous tissue, which normally functions as a support for the joint. The tight space between this fibrous band and the wrist bone is called the carpal tunnel (The Stay Well Company, 1999). The median nerve passes through the carpal tunnel to receive sensations from the thumb, index, and middle fingers of the hand.
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint condition that primarily affects the hands, spine and the ankles and hips. It is known to be associated with aging, and is concerned with the cartilage that protects the joints (the meeting place of two bones). Normal cartilage allows for bones to slide over each other uniformly, acting as a shock absorber to any damage. However cartilage in osteoarthritis, located at the ends of the bones erodes and deteriorates, causing friction and hence pain, swelling and restricted movement. Therefore in osteoarthritic both the composition and appearance of the cartilage alters, while the body attempts to repair this damaged cartilage is broken down faster than it can be built up. A defective repair process can cause bone overgrowth, bone spur/osteocytes to form which can be seen at the ends of the joints. In osteoarthritis the bones come in close contact with each other, and wear away leaving the bone exposed and unprotected.
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis, affecting more than 27 million Americans (LeMone, Burke, Bauldoff, 2011). It is caused when the cartilage in the joints breaks down, causing the bones of the joint to rub against one another. This causes pain, stiffness, and loss of motion in the joint. Osteoarthritis is most prevalent in those 65 and older, but can affect those of any age. In addition, African Americans and Hispanics report a higher incidence of arthritis than Caucasians (LeMone, Burke, Bauldoff, 2011). Although the cause is unknown, it is believed that the increasing age of the population, prevalence of obesity and injuries add to the progression of the condition. Osteoarthritis can affect any joint in the body; however, those of the hand, hip, and knee are often the most common. This condition may be asymptomatic, or may present symptoms including soreness, stiffness and pain. The symptoms are more common in the older population, those with limited activity levels, and those who are obese. Joint cartilage thins over time, causing an increased risk for symptoms in the elderly, and obesity puts extra pressure on the joints during activity. Osteoarthritis is commonly diagnosed with the use of a physical assessment along with results of radiology testing such as X-Ray and MRI.
Arthritis affects people of all age groups. More than 100 types of arthritis are known. Among these osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis having the highest incidence. One of the major causes of chronic debilitation in industrialized nations is Osteoarthritis which results from damage to the joints, which may be due to trauma, infection, or age-related wear. Rheumatoid arthritis is encountered less frequently than osteoarthritis and is estimated to affect around one per cent of the world’s population. Amongst patients of Rheumatoid arthritis, women are three times more likely to be affected by this condition than men. This condition is caused by an inflammatory process where the body starts attacking itself. Rheumatoid arthritis also affects several joints, with inflammation sometimes seen in and around the lungs, the heart, the eyes and the skin. The most commonly reported complaint by arthritis patients is pain. The pain might be from the joint itself and be a result of inflammation, damage from the disease, or through daily wear and tear. Muscle pain is also common and is caused by having to force movements against stiff and painful joints. Although range of movement in the affected joint may be limited and uncomfortable, physical exercise has been shown to benefit those with arthritis. Physical therapy has been shown to significantly improve function, decrease pain in the long term and delay the need for surgery in advanced cases. The majority of arthritis cases occur among theelderly, however the disease can occur in children as well. Over 70% of the population that get affected by arthritis in North America are over the age of 65 (4). The disease occurs more commonly in females than males in all races, age groups, and ethn...
It is still unknown what the cause of Rheumatoid Arthritis is but there are some theories that have not been proven. The oldest theory states that viruses and bacteria are the cause of Rheumatoid Arthritis. Now with all the research being done, scientists believe that Rheumatoid Arthritis is hereditary. Specific genes have been found to make people more likely to get Rheumatoid Arthritis. Some scientists also think that some environmental factors and infections might cause the immune system to attack. Contributing factors are smoking and being exposed to silica metal. So although the exact causes are unknown, the result is that the immune system is ready to make the joins and tissues inflamed by activating immune cells.
* Heat and Cold Therapy has been used for centuries to manage soft tissue and joint injuries while relieving pain.
Cracking your knuckles can cause arthritis. A lot of people are just addicted to the sound of cracking their knuckles, so they continuously do it over, and over. Many parents scold their children for cracking their knuckles. Some parents tell their children that if they continue to crack their knuckles, that it will eventually land them with painful hands at an older age. Most doctors agree that popping your joints, or cracking your knuckles, is aggravating to most people. But it does not raise risks of arthritis.
Arthritis occurs when the body incorrectly identifies its own tissue as foreign matter and attacks it. Arthritis includes a set of more than eighty autoimmune diseases. Arthritis attacks connective tissues and joints. It causes stiffness, pain, inflammation, and swelling of the joints. Some kinds are crippling, but rarely leads to death. There are many different kinds of arthritis, the main ones being Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid arthritis; others include gout and ankylosing spodylitis.
Joint arthritis is probably kind of arthritis that is the most commonly thought of and recognized by the majority of people. Symptoms of this type of arthritis include pain, swelling and tenderness in the joints, as well as limited movement. Warmth