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Hand & Wrist Arthritis

What is arthritis?

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Arthritis Australia has helpful information about the many different types of arthritis that can affect the hand and wrist.

 

1. Osteoarthritis

  • The most common is osteoarthritis which is where there is damage to the cartilage lining the joint as a result of age-related "wear and tear" or as a result of previous injuries.

  • There is also a strong genetic/hereditary component for osteoarthritis,  meaning that you may inherit a similar degree of arthritis to your parents.

 

2. Inflammatory arthritis 

  • The common forms include rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis. 

  • People in their 70s and 80s may develop polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR).This is a form of inflammatory arthritis that can cause sudden joint swelling and widespread muscle pain. 

  • Inflammatory arthritis also commonly runs in families.

  • Rheumatologists are the specialists who treat these forms of arthritis. Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) are used to stop or decrease the symptoms and the progress of arthritis.

 

3. Crystal arthritis - Gout (Urate crystals) & Pseudogout (calcium       pyrophosphate crystals)

  • Gout and pseudogout (also known as calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease or CPPD) can be acute, causing sudden, severe pain and swelling or subacute - resulting in slow damage to the joint lining by crystals depositing in the joint cartilage and making is wear out with less severe symptoms that can be overlooked.

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CHC Contact

How to manage hand & wrist arthritis without surgery

 

1. Activity Modification

  • Avoid using hand/wrist for heavy/repetitive tasks for hours at a time. Instead, break longer tasks into several 30-minute activities.

 

2. Joint Protection

  • Splints – wrist braces, arthritis gloves, neoprene sleeves for finger joints – wear for repetitive tasks.

  • Tools to assist with activities of daily living. Your local hand therapist can recommend options.​​​​​​​​​​

Comfort cool thumb cmc restriction splint
Push brace
Grenace wrist brace
Avanti jar opener
Pen Again
Arthritis gloves

​​​​​​3. Simple Analgesia

  • Panadol Osteo can be purchased over the counter and is very effective and safe. It is a higher dose of Panadol that will last longer and can be taken daily with minimal risk of side effects. The dose is 2 tablets up to 3 times per day.

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4. Anti-Inflammatories

  • Meloxicam (Mobic) and other anti-inflammatories are very effective in controlling the symptoms of osteoarthritis.

  • To be most effective, anti-inflammatories should be taken for 5-7 days in a row. This will provide a longer period of symptom relief than if you take them randomly as it decreases the inflammation in your joint more effectively.

  • You can also take a single dose of anti-inflammatory before activities that irritate your symptoms e.g., gardening, playing golf, tennis etc. This will mean your joints are less painful during and after these activities.

  • The main short term side effect is stomach upset/reflux. If you have this symptom, stop the medication, and see your GP. You may be able to trial a different medication that does not have this effect on you.

  • The main long term side effect is increased blood pressure which is unlikely if you are taking the medication as recommended above. 

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