Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHome Remedies and LifestyleOver-the-Counter TherapiesPrescriptionsSurgeries and Specialist-Driven ProceduresComplementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Home Remedies and Lifestyle
Over-the-Counter Therapies
Prescriptions
Surgeries and Specialist-Driven Procedures
Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)
How Osteoporosis Is Treated
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The ACR/AF recommendations for treating osteoarthritis for the hands include a number of effective options that do not require a prescription or procedure.
Pain and swelling are hallmarks of all types of osteoarthritis. Among the first-line treatments for these symptoms of OA are products that don’t require a healthcare provider’s prescription and can be purchased at pharmacies, supermarkets, big box stores, and other venues.
When self-treatment and OTC medications don’t work well enough, it may take stronger medication to relieve hand osteoarthritis symptoms. In addition to prescription-strength NSAIDs or acetaminophen, these may include:
Included in the ACR/AF recommendations for treating hand osteoarthritis are a couple of CAM options.
A Word From Verywell
Losing ability and flexibility in your hands due to osteoarthritis is nothing short of frustrating. It can mean you aren’t able to do simple and necessary tasks such as opening jars or squeezing lemons; it also can make it difficult to do things you enjoy, like playing the piano or knitting. Therefore, it’s vital to see a healthcare provider, preferably a rheumatologist who specializes in arthritis, as soon as you notice stiffness, pain, swelling, and other symptoms of OA in your fingers or hands.
It’s also important that you turn to treatments that have been found effective and safe. You should be aware that the ACR/AF recommend against a number of strategies for managing hand OA, among them bisphosphonates, glucosamine, hydroxychloroquine, methotrexate, and hyaluronic acid injections.
There are other treatments experts don’t know enough about to advise for or against. An informed and frank discussion with your healthcare provider about the pros and cons of the available treatments for OA and which are most likely to be effective for your symptoms is the best way to retain and maintain the ability to use your fingers and hands.
7 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Kolasinski SL, Neogi T, Hochberg MC, et al.2019 American College of Rheumatology/Arthritis Foundation guideline for the management of osteoarthritis of the hand, hip, and knee.Arthritis Care & Research. Feb 2020;72(2):149-162. doi:10.10002/acr.24131American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Managing arthritis pain with exercise. Oct 2012.Hajihasani A, Rouhani M, Salavati M, et al.The influence of cognitive behavioral therapy on pain, quality of life, and depression in patients receiving physical therapy for chronic low back pain: A systematic review.PM R. 2019 Feb;11(2):167-176. doi:10.1016/j.pmrj.2018.09.029Wongrakpanich S, Wongrakpanich A, Melhado K, et al.A comprehensive review of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug use in the elderly.Aging Dis.2018 Feb; 9(1): 143–150. doi:10.14336/AD.2017.0306MedlinePlus.Duloxetine. May 15, 2020.Arthritis Foundation.Hand surgery for arthritis.MedlinePlus.Chondroitin sulfate. Feb 2, 2020.
7 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Kolasinski SL, Neogi T, Hochberg MC, et al.2019 American College of Rheumatology/Arthritis Foundation guideline for the management of osteoarthritis of the hand, hip, and knee.Arthritis Care & Research. Feb 2020;72(2):149-162. doi:10.10002/acr.24131American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Managing arthritis pain with exercise. Oct 2012.Hajihasani A, Rouhani M, Salavati M, et al.The influence of cognitive behavioral therapy on pain, quality of life, and depression in patients receiving physical therapy for chronic low back pain: A systematic review.PM R. 2019 Feb;11(2):167-176. doi:10.1016/j.pmrj.2018.09.029Wongrakpanich S, Wongrakpanich A, Melhado K, et al.A comprehensive review of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug use in the elderly.Aging Dis.2018 Feb; 9(1): 143–150. doi:10.14336/AD.2017.0306MedlinePlus.Duloxetine. May 15, 2020.Arthritis Foundation.Hand surgery for arthritis.MedlinePlus.Chondroitin sulfate. Feb 2, 2020.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Kolasinski SL, Neogi T, Hochberg MC, et al.2019 American College of Rheumatology/Arthritis Foundation guideline for the management of osteoarthritis of the hand, hip, and knee.Arthritis Care & Research. Feb 2020;72(2):149-162. doi:10.10002/acr.24131American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Managing arthritis pain with exercise. Oct 2012.Hajihasani A, Rouhani M, Salavati M, et al.The influence of cognitive behavioral therapy on pain, quality of life, and depression in patients receiving physical therapy for chronic low back pain: A systematic review.PM R. 2019 Feb;11(2):167-176. doi:10.1016/j.pmrj.2018.09.029Wongrakpanich S, Wongrakpanich A, Melhado K, et al.A comprehensive review of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug use in the elderly.Aging Dis.2018 Feb; 9(1): 143–150. doi:10.14336/AD.2017.0306MedlinePlus.Duloxetine. May 15, 2020.Arthritis Foundation.Hand surgery for arthritis.MedlinePlus.Chondroitin sulfate. Feb 2, 2020.
Kolasinski SL, Neogi T, Hochberg MC, et al.2019 American College of Rheumatology/Arthritis Foundation guideline for the management of osteoarthritis of the hand, hip, and knee.Arthritis Care & Research. Feb 2020;72(2):149-162. doi:10.10002/acr.24131
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Managing arthritis pain with exercise. Oct 2012.
Hajihasani A, Rouhani M, Salavati M, et al.The influence of cognitive behavioral therapy on pain, quality of life, and depression in patients receiving physical therapy for chronic low back pain: A systematic review.PM R. 2019 Feb;11(2):167-176. doi:10.1016/j.pmrj.2018.09.029
Wongrakpanich S, Wongrakpanich A, Melhado K, et al.A comprehensive review of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug use in the elderly.Aging Dis.2018 Feb; 9(1): 143–150. doi:10.14336/AD.2017.0306
MedlinePlus.Duloxetine. May 15, 2020.
Arthritis Foundation.Hand surgery for arthritis.
MedlinePlus.Chondroitin sulfate. Feb 2, 2020.
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