Struggling to open a jar? Fingers feel stiff when you wake up? This could be due to hand osteoarthritis (OA), which is a common joint condition.

What is hand osteoarthritis?

Hand osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint condition characterised by progressive changes in the cartilage, bone, ligaments and capsule of the hand joints.

It usually shows up in three places:

• The joints closest to your fingertips
• The middle joints of your fingers
• The base of your thumb

Common signs include:

• Pain and stiffness
• Weaker grip
• Trouble with everyday tasks like opening jars, writing or using tools

• Bony lumps or changes in the shape of your fingers

   

What causes hand osteoarthritis?

Hand OA usually comes down to a mix of factors:

• Age: As we get older, cartilage and other joint tissues become less able to repair themselves
• Genes: Hand OA can run in families, especially when it affects the finger joints
• Gender: It is more common in women, especially after menopause.  

• How you use your hands: Past joint injuries, joint hypermobility and repetitive strain can all play a part.

   

How Is It Diagnosed?

The diagnosis of hand OA is made based on your symptoms, examination findings, as well as investigations. Typical symptoms include:

• pain that gets worse with use
• brief morning stiffness
• joint deformity and reduced strength

Examination may reveal joint tenderness, reduced movement and characteristic bony nodes.  

Plain X-rays can support the diagnosis and demonstrate features such as joint-space narrowing, osteophytes (bony growths), subchondral sclerosis and cyst formation.

Blood tests are not usually required to diagnose OA but may be performed when another condition, such as rheumatoid arthritis or gout, is suspected.  

What Can Be Done About It?

Treatment aims to reduce pain, help you keep using your hands, and improve quality of life.  

Therapy and everyday changes

Patients can be referred to the hand occupational therapist for advice regarding:

• Ways to protect your joints  
• activity modification for your daily tasks
• Fit you with a splint to support painful joints
• Exercises to keep your hands moving.  

Pain Relief

• Anti-inflammatory creams or gels applied to the skin (topical NSAIDs)  
• Anti-inflammatory tablets (oral NSAIDs), when suitable  
• Corticosteroid injections may occasionally be recommended for certain patients with selected painful joints

Surgery

If your symptoms are severe, persistent, and affect daily life adversely, surgery may be an option. Depending on the joint, this may include joint replacement, fusing the joint (arthrodesis) or other reconstructive operations.  

Don’t Let Hand Pain Hold You Back

Hand OA is common, and it is usually influenced by multiple factors including aging, genetics and how we use our hands.  With the right advice, therapy and pain relief, you can manage the pain and maintain function. If hand pain is getting in the way of everyday tasks, get it checked.