Thursday, March 28, 2024

What Can I Use For Arthritis In My Hands

Which Hand Massager Is Best

What should I know about arthritis in my hands and wrists?

There are dozens of hand massagers currently on the market. Some, like the Hyperice Hypersphere Mini Vibrating Massage Ball, are electric, cordless or at least offer the option of using cordless. They also can be used for multiple health conditions. For instance, the iVOLCONN hand massager is one of the best massagers for arthritis, but also lessens pain from carpal tunnel, and has nodes that target wrists. Alternatively, the Vibrating Arthritis Gloves massages individual fingers, and can treat both hands at once.

Why Its Important To Trust A Hand And Finger Expert

When youre looking for an expert to guide you to the answers and relief you need, its important to trust a doctor with specialized knowledge and training.

When asked about his expertise and training, Dr. Newsum explained, Two important things to look for in your surgeon are whether they are fellowship-trained and board-certified in their specialty. Meeting the requirements means your doctor has had very specific training in the anatomy, pathophysiology, treatments and the latest nonsurgical surgical techniques to heal a number of conditions that affect the arm, hand and fingers, and that they are up to date on the latest treatments. I focus my time on my specialty exclusively in order to provide evidence-based treatment to both adults and children and deliver expert, compassionate care.

And when asked why he loves to do what he does, Dr. Newsum described two motivating factors: excellent mentors throughout his training and career, and helping people quickly regain their functioning again.

Dr. Newsum concludes, We use our hands for everything, so I get to make an impact in peoples lives that makes a big difference. I really think my specialty and subspecialty reflect the core of values of modern medicine: to reduce pain and restore function.

If youre experiencing pain or stiffness in your fingers or hands, turn to our experts for help. Learn more about AdventHealths Hand to Shoulder Center experts.

Staying Physically Active Despite Hand Arthritis

Your doctor will tell you and probably has already that staying physically active is an important part of managing arthritis. In fact, according to a study of 5,715 adults with arthritis over age 65, a lack of regular, vigorous physical activity doubled the risk of functional decline. In other words, the less physically active the participants were, the more likely they were to become disabled.

Of course, despite data showing that physical activity helps people with arthritis become stronger and more flexible, anyone with arthritis will tell you that sometimes pain or stiffness makes it hard to get going, let alone lift weights at the gym. People with arthritis often give up activities they think of as optional, such as exercising or gardening, in order to have enough energy for the activities they feel obligated to do, such as cleaning the house. One study found that only 13 percent of men and 8 percent of women with arthritis met federal guidelines of at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity per week.

If symptoms of arthritis in your hands or elsewhere are preventing you from participating in the physical activities you used to enjoy and that are good for you it may be time to find new ways to be active. For example, you may want to experiment with water activities such as swimming, or try tai chi, dance, or walking .

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A Key Holder With A Wide Grip You Can Attach To Your House Or Car Keys To Make Turning It In The Door Or The Ignition Of The Car *that* Much Easier Bonus You Can Fit Two Keys In The Slot Of Each One

Promising review: “My arthritis around thumbs got so bad that I couldn’t turn on my car ignition without a lot of pain. This wonderful invention works wonders in that I can grip on it w/o using my thumbs & easily turn ignition on. Easier to turn key to open house door too. Love it!” J E Wong

Get it from Amazon for $12.16.

How Is Rheumatoid Arthritis Treated

What Are The Signs of Arthritis In My Hands and Fingers?

There is no cure for rheumatoid arthritis. But there are treatment options your doctor can prescribe to help manage your pain and stop further damage to your joints. Your doctor may recommend a combination of medicines, including:

  • Pain relief medicines, such as paracetamol.
  • Omega-3 supplements. This is a type of fat naturally found in foods such as certain fish that you can take as a food supplement to help with pain and stiffness.
  • Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or cyclo-oxygenase-2 selective inhibitors. These are pain relief medicines that your doctor might prescribe when paracetamol and supplements do not relieve your pain and stiffness.
  • Disease modifying antirheumatic drugs , such as methotrexate. These are a group of medicines that reduce your symptoms and the damage to your joints, including medicines known as biologic DMARDS .
  • Corticosteroids, such as prednisolone. These are medicines that can help manage your pain and stiffness during flare ups. Corticosteroids are available as tablets, or it might be injected by your doctor into a joint to reduce pain.

Other complementary treatments such as massage, acupuncture or transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation can help reduce your pain. But they will not reduce the damage to your joints and should not replace your prescribed medications.

Tripterygium wilfordii is a Chinese herb that is not recommended to treat rheumatoid arthritis as it can have dangerous side effects.

Read Also: What Can Be Done For Arthritis In The Back

A Handy Multitool Jar Opener That Is Truly Just Out Here Doing The Most Not Only Does The Anti

Psst a lot of reviewers with arthritis swear by these for pain-free, easy opening, and parents say it makes it a lot easier for kids to open jars, too!

Promising review: “Having had arthritis in my hands since my teens, I have used many jar/bottle openers out of necessity. The OXO ones work well, but wear out within a year because of the volume of usage. This fabulous opener has yet to find a container that it cannot easily open, even bottles of water with heavily sealed caps. I love it so much I ordered another one to have in two drawers on either end of my kitchen. This gripper does not exacerbate my carpel tunnel syndrome, either. I would give it more stars if I could.” Patrizia L.

Get it from Amazon for $9.99 .

A Pair Of Shredder Claws To Carve All Your Meats Wolverine

Promising review: “These are awesome! I am 60 years old and have arthritis in my fingers and wrists. These easily lifted and shredded my pork that was cooked in a crock pot. Normally it can take me what seems like forever to get the meat out of the crock pot and then long painful shredding. These definitely save pain and time. I LOVE THEM!!!”

Get it from Amazon for $9.99.

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Can I Prevent Rheumatoid Arthritis

You cannot prevent rheumatoid arthritis because the cause of the disease is not known.

Quitting smoking, or never smoking, will reduce your risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis. You are more likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis if someone in your close family has it, but unfortunately there is no way to reduce this risk.

People who have rheumatoid arthritis often experience flare ups, which are times when their joints are particularly sore. Learning what triggers your flare ups can help reduce or prevent them.

For some people, stress can trigger a flare up, so can being run down or pushing yourself beyond your limits. Having an infection, missing a dose of your medicine or changing your treatment plan can also cause a flare up.

Keeping a food and activity diary may help work out your personal triggers but keep in mind that sometimes flare ups happen without any obvious cause.

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Which Joints In The Hand Are Affected

Hand Arthritis & How to Treat It (with Dr. Suzanne Elton)

The index and middle fingers and the thumb are the parts of the hand most commonly affected. Many people find that the hand they use most is affected more than the other.

When the fingers are affected, it may be in the joints closest to the fingernails or the ones in the middle of the fingers. It’s less common to have osteoarthritis in the large knuckle joints, where the fingers meet the hand.

The joint at the base of the thumb can also be affected by osteoarthritis. And occasionally the wrist joint may be affected.

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Or A Curved Gripper Knife You Can Use At The Dinner Table For More Casual Chopping Needs That Also Uses A Rocking Motion To Take The Strain Off Your Hand And Fingers

Promising review: “I gave this knife to my 87-year-old Mom and she loves it. Before, she had trouble using a traditional knife because of arthritis but now she has no problem cutting her food. The knife is sturdy, sharp and easy to use. She is so excited to use it! Thank you!” Ferol Smith

Get it from Amazon for $21.99.

How To Diagnose Arthritis In The Hands

Your doctor may rely on medical history, physical examination, and blood and imaging tests to determine the diagnosis.

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A Rapid Grape Strawberry And Tomato Cutter So You Can Safely And Securely Get A Whole Bunch Of Perfect Halves At Once Upping Your Fruit Salad And Regular Ole Salad Game To The Next Level

You can also use this to safely cut bagels and slices of meats that you’re trying to cut through the middle of!

Promising review: “This is the perfect kitchen tool for me. I sliced grape tomatoes, as well as table grapes with ease. So thankful for products that make living with painful arthritis easier. This was after a day where I had to ask for assistance in two different stores.” Jimmye Porter

Get it from Amazon for $12.49.

Risk Factors For Hand And Finger Arthritis

How Can I Slow Down Arthritis in My Hands? #osteoarthritis

According to Dr. Newsum, finger or hand arthritis can occur years after of an old injury, but most of the time, it affects people age 50 and older.

By age 60, 70% of people will have arthritis based on X-rays. By age 75, 90% have arthritis on X-rays, but the important thing to note is that many dont have severe symptoms and are not debilitated by it.

If you do, however, its important to get medical help to find your path toward relief.

Other factors that can increase your risk of arthritis in your hands and fingers include:

  • Diabetes
  • Enlarged bumps at the fingers knuckles

Its also important to distinguish between the different types of hand or finger arthritis.

Dr. Newsum explains, Osteoarthritis affects the middle knuckles and knuckles near the nails and can appear as large bumps on the knuckle, which are bone spurs that are caused from bone rubbing on bone when the joint moves.

Rheumatoid arthritis, on the other hand, is an autoimmune disease that attacks tendons, ligaments, the joint lining and bones.

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How Do You Stop Arthritis From Progressing In Your Hands

  • How Do You Stop Arthritis From Progressing in Your Hands? Center
  • If you experience persistent pain and stiffness in your hands, you may be suffering from arthritis, which is a common condition that causes inflammation of the joints.

    The hand is made up of multiple small joints that are responsible for various types of motions required to perform daily activities. If arthritis is left untreated, the bones can undergo irreversible damage, leading to restricted motions and deformities that will make routine activities extremely difficult.

    Following simple tips and tricks can help you stop the progress of arthritis in the hands, ease pain and stiffness, improve mobility, and prevent further damage:

    • Perform hand and finger exercises
    • Avoid strain on the joints
    • Maintain a healthy weight
    • Avoid or quit smoking
    • Receive heat and ice therapy
    • Maintain blood sugar and cholesterol levels

    Changes In Surrounding Joints

    In patients with advanced thumb base arthritis, the neighboring joints may become more mobile than normal.

    Thumb extension deformity. This patient has lost mobility at the base of the thumb due to arthritis. The next joint closer to the tip of the thumb has become more mobile than normal to make up for the arthritic joint. Normally, the thumb does not come to a right angle with the rest of the hand.

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    Types Of Arthritis In Hands

    The 5 types of arthritis in the hands include:

  • Osteoarthritis: Caused by degenerative changes in the joints due to age-related wear and tear
  • Characterized by pain and stiffness in the hands
  • Symptoms are worse in the dominant hand
  • Absence of warmth and redness of the affected joint
  • Morning stiffness for a short period, often eases in just 5 to 15 minutes
  • Rheumatoid arthritis: Autoimmune inflammation of the small joints
  • Characterized by pain and stiffness in the hands, especially in the morning
  • Symptoms are present in both the hands
  • Presence of warmth and redness in the affected joint
  • Prolonged morning stiffness of the hands that usually lasts for an hour or more
    • Tingling and numbness in the fingers
    • Crepitation
    • Deformities such as Bouchardâs nodes and Heberdenâs nodes

    Exercises That Help Relieve Arthritis In The Fingers And Hands

    Arthritis In Hands – Critical Basics To Know If You Want To Be Pain Free

    If someone is pain free, it is critical to keep joints in good range of motion. Simple shoulder shrugs, wrist, and finger range of motion exercises help keep joint range of motion, says physical therapist Charles J. Gulas, PT, PhD, GCS, dean of the School of Health Professions at Maryville University of St. Louis. Being pain free is the key, Gulas stresses, especially when doing exercises intended to build strength. When pain acts up, rest and pain management may be a better bet.

    Try these range-of-motion exercises to keep your hands, fingers, and thumbs flexible and to ease symptoms of arthritis in the fingers and in the hands overall:

    • Close your fist and then gradually open your hand, stretching your fingers out, then close slowly into a fist again.
    • Make circle motions with your thumb, keeping it straight.
    • Stretch your thumb away from the palm of your hand, then use it to touch each fingertip.

    Repeat these exercises 3 to 10 times daily. Stop if you feel pain in a joint or if you’re experiencing additional pain once youre done. Some people find that doing these hand exercises under warm water is helpful. If you have osteoarthritis, you may need to wear a splint, wear a compression glove, or use another type of support to help reduce wear and tear on your joints during your daily activities. Ask your doctor or a physical therapist to recommend the type of device that may help you.

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    Can Arthritis In The Hand Be Prevented

    Arthritis cant be prevented. However, you can watch for symptoms of arthritis as you age and see your healthcare provider if you notice changes in your joints. You can also take steps to control factors that you can control. Eat healthy to nourish your body and maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight puts more stress on your joints. Dont smoke. Smoking increases your risk of arthritis.

    A Rechargeable Hand Warmer Complete With Double

    Psst this is USB rechargeable, and you can even use a power bank or your phone to charge it!

    Promising review: “Amazing pain relief! I have arthritis that hits my hands hard. I have looked long for something that would easily warm my hands and ease the pain of arthritis. Plug in heat pads are too bulky and you cant take them with you. This hand warmer is amazing! It has three levels of heat and level one is plenty hot. It really works. And at such a great price! I highly recommend this device. Definitely going to show it to my rheumatologist at my next visit!” a reviewer in Seattle

    Get it from Amazon for $26.99+ .

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    Consider Topical Pain Medication

    Over the counter gels, balms, creams, or patches are ideal for hand joints, which lie just below the skin. Regardless of how they are applied, most topical arthritis pain relievers fall into these categories:

    • Salicylates, which have mild anti-inflammatory effects
    • Counterirritants, which distract from pain
    • Capsaicin products, which distract from pain and may have a role in blocking pain signals
    • Cannabidiol products
    • Lidocaine products, which work as local anesthetics

    While topical products are generally safe, their ingredients can enter the bloodstream and produce side effects or interact with other medications. Its advisable to talk to a doctor or pharmacist before trying any new medication.

    See Topical Pain Relief for Arthritis

    Treating Hand Arthritis At Home

    painful, swollen fingers and toes (erythromelalgia/Raynaudâs pain ...

    Arthritis limits hand dexterity and makes everyday tasks more difficult. Described below are several ways people can help relieve stress on their hand joints and make some tasks easier.

    Rest the hands periodicallyGive the joints and tendons in the hand a needed break. For example, people who type at a computer may need to take regular breaks or divide their work into regular intervals, working for just 2 or 3 hours at a time.

    Apply heat A warm compress or paraffin wax hand bath can soothe affected joints. Applying heat to the hand warms up the synovial fluid that lubricates joints, easing stiffness, and improving flexibility.

    See When and Why to Apply Heat to an Arthritic Joint

    Adapt when possible

    A few simple lifestyle changes and products can reduce strain on the hands and minimize arthritis pain and swelling. For example:

    • Wear coats and shirts with zippers instead of buttons.
    • Use long zipper pulls, which are also larger than regular zipper pulls and therefore easier to grasp. Some specialized zipper pulls are made with looped cloth or nylon and allow the user to stick a finger through and pull up or down.
    • Choose lightweight cooking and gardening tools that are easier to lift and hold.
    • Buy slip-on shoes to avoid having to tie shoelaces.

    In addition to making changes at home, people with arthritis may consider treatments recommended by their physician.

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