Learn How Orthopedic Hand Doctors Help Restore Pain-Free Hand and Wrist Function
If you’re living with hand arthritis, then you already know how much it can interfere with your daily life. Simple tasks like opening a jar, writing a note, or even turning a doorknob can cause pain and discomfort. And because you use your hands in virtually every activity, pain management is an all-day affair.
There is no cure for hand arthritis. However, you have more options than you may realize. Orthopedic hand doctors specialize in surgical and non-surgical treatments of numerous conditions affecting the hand, wrist, and forearm, including arthritis.
If you’re currently evaluating hand and wrist doctors near you, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the full range of care that’s available. In this blog, we’ll break down what hand arthritis is, explore conservative treatments, and review what to expect if surgery becomes necessary.
What Types Of Arthritis Do Hand Doctors Treat?
Hand arthritis is a chronic condition that causes inflammation in one or more joints of the hand. It most commonly affects the base of the thumb, the knuckles, and the joints in the fingers. Over time, arthritis can lead to joint damage, reduced grip strength, deformity, and ongoing pain.
The two most common types of arthritis hand doctors treat are:
Osteoarthritis (OA): Often related to aging or wear and tear, osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage that cushions the ends of bones wears down.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA): This autoimmune condition causes the body’s immune system to attack the joints, leading to inflammation and damage.
Common hand arthritis symptoms include:
- Stiffness in the fingers, especially in the morning.
- Swelling and tenderness around joints.
- Decreased range of motion.
- Weak grip or difficulty with hand strength.
- Pain during movement or at rest.
- Visible changes in joint shape or alignment.
If you are experiencing these symptoms, consult with an orthopedic hand doctor for a thorough evaluation and personalized treatment plan. Delaying treatment allows the condition to further progress, making it more difficult to manage your symptoms through non-surgical means.
Non-Surgical Treatments Hand Doctors Use
Early intervention is the key to effective, non-invasive arthritis treatment. Although arthritis can’t be cured, a proactive approach to treatment makes it considerably easier to manage.
Here are some common non-surgical treatments your hand and wrist doctor may recommend:
- Medications: Over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) help reduce pain and inflammation. In more severe cases, your hand doctor may recommend prescription pain medications.
- Corticosteroid injections: Corticosteroid injections can provide temporary relief from pain and inflammation if other medications prove ineffective.
- Splints or braces: Wearing a splint or brace can help stabilize your affected joints, reduce strain, and limit movement that aggravates symptoms.
- Physical or occupational therapy: Physical therapy can improve strength, flexibility, and function in your hand. An occupational therapist can teach you how to protect your joints during daily tasks or suggest assistive devices to make common activities easier.
- Topical treatments: Creams and gels containing anti-inflammatory ingredients or pain relievers can be directly applied to sore joints for relief.
- Heat and cold therapy: Alternating between warm and cold compresses can help ease joint pain and stiffness.
Non-surgical and holistic treatments can effectively manage mild to moderate hand arthritis. However, if symptoms continue to interfere with your quality of life despite these efforts, it may be time to consider surgical options.
Surgical Treatments Hand Doctors Use
If non-surgical treatments fall short, your hand and wrist doctor may recommend surgery. Although surgery is a painful process that involves recovery time, it may be the only way to provide lasting pain relief, improve joint function, and restore mobility.
Here are some common surgical procedures used to treat hand arthritis:
- Joint fusion surgery: This procedure involves fusing together two bones in the affected joint to prevent movement and reduce pain. It is often used for arthritis in the fingers and thumb.
- Joint replacement surgery: In this surgery, the damaged joint is replaced with an artificial implant. Joint replacement can be highly effective for improving hand function and reducing discomfort.
- Tendon repair or transfer: Rheumatoid arthritis can damage the tendons that control finger movement. Your hand and wrist doctor may perform a tendon repair or transfer procedure to restore function and prevent deformities.
- Bone spurs or damaged tissue removal: If your arthritis causes bone spurs or thickened tissue that interferes with movement, your surgeon may remove them to reduce pain and improve joint motion.
- Trapeziectomy:This surgery involves removing the trapezium – a small bone that connects the thumb to other hand bones – to reduce pain and improve mobility.
When discussing surgical options with your orthopedic hand doctor, it’s important to remember that recovery times vary by patient and procedure. You may need to wear a splint or cast. You may also require physical or occupational therapy as part of your recovery. Put together a list of questions or concerns you have so that your doctor can address them and set realistic expectations.
How to Arrange a Hand Doctor Appointment
Deciding between surgical and non-surgical treatment depends on how advanced your hand arthritis is and the severity of your symptoms. Although non-surgical care can provide relief, there will eventually come a point where surgery is the best long-term option.
You can see what treatments are available to you by scheduling an appointment at Mid-America Orthopedics. During your initial appointment with your hand doctor, they will assess how advanced your arthritis is and provide treatment recommendations that manage your pain and help with daily function.
Call (316) 630-9300 to schedule your appointment.