3 Ways To Manage Arthritis Pain in Hands

Any chronic body pain often goes beyond just discomfort—it can significantly affect daily life. Arthritis pain in the hands can make everyday activities difficult to carry out, affecting both simple tasks like buttoning a shirt and also more complex actions like writing or cooking.

Finding relief becomes vital for those grappling with this condition. In this article, we delve into practical and effective strategies to manage arthritis pain in your hands.

Whether it's through lifestyle adjustments, exercises, or innovative treatments, empowering yourself with these tools can make a world of difference in reclaiming comfort and functionality in your hands.

Related article: Your Complete Guide to Arthritis Joint Pain

What is Arthritis of the Hand?

Arthritis refers to the inflammation or degeneration of one or multiple joints, which are the points where two bones come together. The condition encompasses a wide spectrum, with over 100 distinct types identified, some of which include: ^1,2,3

Osteoarthritis (OA)

• Most common type of arthritis and is caused by the cartilage between bones wearing away, leading to bone-on-bone rubbing
• Commonly affects hands, spine, knees, and hips
• Causes pain and limited joint movement

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)

• Autoimmune disease where immune cells attack joint tissue and results in pain, stiffness, redness, and swelling in joints
• Joints may become misshapen and permanently damaged over time
• RA typically occurs symmetrically. For instance, if arthritis affects finger joints one hand, it's likely to affect the finger joints on your other hand too.

Psoriatic arthritis

• Affects both the skin (psoriasis) and joints
• Symptoms include swollen fingers, joint pain, and morning stiffness, but it also shares a lot of similarities with rheumatoid arthritis
• May involve several fingers rather than the entire hand, in some cases

Asymmetric inflammatory arthritis

• Inflammation in one to four joints, often knees, ankles, wrists, or fingers
• Usually does not affect both sides of the body equally

Arthritis can affect individuals of any age or gender.¹ It typically targets four key areas within the hand: the base of the thumb, the wrist junction, the knuckles, the middle joints of the fingers, and the top joint of the fingers closest to the nails.³

Key Symptoms

Arthritis leads to joint discomfort, swelling, stiffness, and restricted mobility. Symptoms can include¹:

• Joint pain
• Swelling in the joints
• Decreased joint mobility in the hands
• Skin around the joint appearing red and warm to the touch

These symptoms occur because the bones within the joint may deteriorate and grind against each other, resulting in the painful symptoms above.¹

If you’ve had arthritis in your hands for a while, you may also experience³:

• More persistent symptoms for longer periods of time
• The pain may suddenly change from a dull ache to a sharp pain in the affected joints
• The pain may wake you up during the night
• The pain can cause you to change the way you use your hands

Also read: 5 Ways to Ease Arthritis Hip Pain

3 Ways to Relieve Pain

The choice of treatment for arthritis hand pain relief will depend on a few different factors, including:³

• The specific type and stage of arthritis
• The number of affected joints
• Age and activity level
• Other medical conditions

Regardless, arthritis hand pain treatment focuses on reducing joint pain and stiffness, and ultimately improving your overall quality of life.³ Here are three pain management techniques you can use.

1. Apply heat

Applying heat to the affected region can help to reduce stiffness.³ However, remember that you should not apply heat for longer than 20 minutes at a time.³

You can also consult with your healthcare provider if you are unsure of how to use heating pads and hot baths to ease pain and discomfort.²

Also read: Does Cryotherapy Work for Arthirits?

2. Use splints and wrist support

Splints and braces offer support and safeguard the affected joint, thereby minimizing strain on the affected area.³

Your healthcare provider, occupational therapist, or hand therapist can assist you in addressing splinting/bracing options, guiding you on proper usage, duration of wear (as prolonged use can lead to muscle weakening), and timing for wearing them.³

3. Exercise your hands regularly

An exercise routine for your hands that focuses on strengthening and stretching can help to reduce pain symptoms and improve functioning of your hands.²

Your healthcare provider or occupational therapist may prescribe hand exercises that are best suited for your pain symptoms and arthritis.³

When to Seek Professional Help

Dull or burning joint pain, morning stiffness, and swollen hand joints can all be indicative symptoms of arthritis in the hands.³ However, you should reach out to your healthcare provider if¹:

• Your joint pain persists for more than three days
• You experience severe unexplained joint pain
• When the affected joint shows significant swelling
• You find it very difficult to move the joint
• The skin surrounding the joint appears red or feels hot to the touch
• You have a fever or experience unintentional weight loss

Remember, early diagnosis and treatment play a crucial role in preventing joint damage.¹ If you have a family history of arthritis, it's important to inform your healthcare provider, even if you aren't currently experiencing joint pain.¹