Arthritis

Arthritis is a condition that destroys a joint. In osteoarthritis (also called degenerative arthritis), the cartilage, which normally covers the ends of bones allowing them to move smoothly on one another, wears out. Arthritis of the hand is common in females. Osteoarthritis of the hand joints is much less common then rheumatoid arthritis. As the arthritis progresses, the finger gets deformed and lose its functions. Moreover, many patients with rheumatoid arthritis have this dysfunction present in both hands and become disabled due to chronic pain. Osteoarthritis is most common at the base of thumb and is usually treated with pain pills, splinting or steroid injections.

The most common joints to develop osteoarthritis in the hand include the joint at the end of the finger and the joint at the base of the thumb. This often results in difficulty with activities involving gripping such as opening jars, turning doorknobs, and using keys. In rheumatoid arthritis, the body's immune system attacks the lining stiffness and loss of function.

Treatment: for arthritis depends on the diagnosis. For arthritis at the base of the thumb that is discovered early, splints, activity modification, and anti-swelling medicines can relieve symptoms. For more severe cases, joint replacement surgery may be recommended.

In rheumatoid arthritis, the primary treatment involves medicines to control the inflammation produced by the body's immune system. In cases where pain and deformity progress affecting activities, surgery can offer significant improvement in function.