Osteoarthritis in hands and fingers is a condition that can cause tremendous pain and discomfort. This condition usually affects people who have been in stressful situations. Usually the symptoms are first noticed during the course of a person’s middle age years or after the age of sixty-five. People who work in factories with large rollers and heavy machinery are more likely to get afflicted by this condition than people who live in a home with less activity.
The medical term for this ailment is “osteoarthritis”. There are many theories about the causes of osteoarthritis, but it is only recently that doctors have found that certain strains of the spinal cord may be responsible. Doctors say that the disease takes place when the cartilage cushion in between bones begins to wear down due to arthritis, and it causes inflammation. When there is inflammation, the cartilage cushion can be worn down to the point where bone and tissue become imbalanced. When this occurs, movement becomes very painful and in some cases, loss of motion may even occur.
People who live in less severe living conditions can sometimes go on with their lives without being aware that they have osteoarthritis. However, there are other people who find themselves suffering from the painful symptoms of this disease. Often the symptoms will manifest themselves during the course of their daily lives. For example, some people find that the constant pain in their thumb joint and finger joint is very difficult to live with on a daily basis. Some of them are also unable to type using their fingers because of the constant pain.
In addition to the pain in the joints, arthritis in hands and fingers can also cause stiffness and loss of strength. Sometimes, the affected areas of the hand may feel like they are “soft” or “dead”. In extreme cases, the arthritis may even affect a person’s grip. It may become so severe that the patient cannot use his or her hands.
In most cases, once you have been diagnosed with arthritis in hands or fingers, you can expect that your doctor will prescribe a course of treatment that may include medication, surgery or non-surgical methods. For instance, the doctor may suggest that you wear a splint at night to help keep your wrist in a neutral position during the day. This will prevent the joint from stiffening up. Non-surgical methods may include massage therapy or electrotherapy.
You should discuss these options with your doctor thoroughly before you make any decisions. Your doctor may also recommend that you do not wear certain types of gloves and other accessories that may irritate your arthritis. Some arthritis sufferers even choose to quit their jobs if they are suffering from arthritis in hands or fingers. However, if you follow your doctor’s advice, you should find that you will be able to lead a normal and full life, free from the pain of arthritis.