Arthritis can severely impact daily life, particularly when it afflicts the hand joints. Picture struggling with basic activities like jotting down a note, effortlessly opening a jar, or fastening a shirt button, all due to the excruciating pain caused by arthritis. The good news is that there are a range of surgical and nonsurgical treatments available to alleviate this pain and restore functionality.
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. Osteoarthritis of the hand is caused by wear and tear of cartilage over time, which can result in joint inflammation in the hand. Conservative or nonsurgical treatments are often employed first to alleviate arthritis pain.
Here are some highly effective conservative treatments for hand arthritis:
- Pain Medication: Medications such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are excellent at treating less severe cases of hand arthritis, as they work to reduce pain and inflammation.
- Topical Treatments: Applying topical creams or gels containing NSAIDs or capsaicin can provide localized relief from arthritis pain.
- Hot and Cold Therapy: Alternate between warm compresses and cold packs to help reduce pain and swelling in the hands.
- Physical Therapy: A physical therapist can design exercises and stretches to improve hand mobility, strength, and function. They may also suggest using splints or braces to support the affected joints.
- Injections: Corticosteroid injections can be injected directly into the affected joint to lubricate the joint and provide pain relief.
When conservative treatments fail to alleviate arthritis pain, surgery may be recommended. Here are the top surgeries that work best to treat arthritis of the hand:
- Arthroplasty with CMC Suspensionplasty: A surgical procedure that involves removing the affected, damaged joint and providing definitive stabilization with a high strength suture anchor. This procedure is usually recommended when the joint is severely damaged.
- Arthroplasty with APL Suspensionplasty: A surgical procedure that involves removing the affected, damaged joint and providing definitive stabilization stabilization with Adductor Pollicis Longus tendon. This procedure is usually recommended when the joint is severely damaged.
Navigating arthritis can present challenges, but with the abundance of available treatment options, managing the condition can become more manageable. If you're grappling with arthritis in the hand, Dr. Shrouder-Henry, a highly skilled orthopedic surgeon specializing in hand and wrist conditions, can offer invaluable expertise and care.
AUTHOR: Jason Shrouder-Henry MD, MBA is a Board Certified and fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon specializing in the hand, wrist, elbow and shoulder throughout Chicagoland.