Hand therapy

Stiff hands can have several causes, including arthritis, tendon irritation, or conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome, which may cause stiffness, particularly in the morning. If the fingers move into an unusual position, it may be due to a hand spasm or cramp (sometimes called writer’s cramp), which can occur during repetitive or highly focused hand activities. Management depends on the cause, but hand therapy and exercises are often recommended to help improve hand function.

Pain at the base of the thumb is often related to arthritis in the saddle joint. Sharp pain on the thumb side of the wrist during movement may be due to inflammation of a tendon that moves the thumb, a condition called De Quervain’s tenosynovitis, which can sometimes be treated with a cortisone injection. Wrist pain can also be caused by arthritis or previous injury. A proper assessment is needed to confirm the exact cause.

Arthritis cannot be reversed or stopped completely, so treatment focuses on managing symptoms. Some people find supplements such as turmeric or glucosamine helpful, although there is limited evidence that they prevent or reverse arthritis. If a finger starts to deviate, taping it or using supportive grips, especially at night, may help keep it in a better position.

Rheumatoid arthritis can damage joints and sometimes lead to secondary Osteoarthritis. Medical treatment for rheumatoid arthritis has improved significantly in recent years, particularly with modern immunotherapy drugs, meaning severe deformities are now less common.

If wrist pain persists despite splints or injections, surgical options may be considered. These can include wrist arthroscopy to smooth damaged areas and wrist denervation to reduce pain signals. In more advanced cases, procedures such as partial wrist fusion, total wrist fusion (which removes movement), or wrist replacement may be discussed.

Knuckle surgery may be considered for painful or damaged joints, often due to arthritis or injury. Treatment options can include cortisone injections, joint fusion, or joint replacement. In the main knuckle joints (metacarpophalangeal joints), flexible hinge-type joint replacements may be used. If the joint is not severely damaged, surgery may involve cleaning the joint by removing loose fragments and treating exposed bone, sometimes combined with denervation to reduce pain signals.

Swollen, painful finger joints and wrist discomfort are usually caused by arthritis or tendon inflammation. Conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome can cause numbness or tingling in the fingers, but true joint swelling is more suggestive of arthritis.

Thumb pain and weakness is often caused by base of thumb osteoarthritis. Reducing painful activities can help, but the thumb contributes about 40% of hand function, so limiting use may reduce overall hand ability. Some people find supplements helpful, though there is no strong evidence that diet can prevent or slow osteoarthritis.