Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is Hand Arthritis?OsteoarthritisRheumatoid ArthritisPsoriatic ArthritisGoutLupusPost-Traumatic Arthritis
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Is Hand Arthritis?
Osteoarthritis
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Psoriatic Arthritis
Gout
Lupus
Post-Traumatic Arthritis
There are over 100 different forms of arthritis known to date, with the most common beingosteoarthritis,rheumatoid arthritis,gout, andlupus. While arthritis can affect any joint in the body, it often occurs in the joints of the hands and fingers.
This article discusses the different types of hand arthritis along with symptoms, causes, and treatment options.
bloodstone / Getty Images
Healthy joint spaces with adequatecartilageandsynovialfluid (fluid between the joints) enable the joints of the body to move smoothly and without pain.
Arthritis affecting the hands and fingers specifically can lead to long-term disability. This is because it impacts a person’s ability to eat, get dressed, and perform activities of daily living.
Preventing Arthritis in the Hands
While untreated or severe arthritis of the hands may decrease a person’s quality of life, there are treatments and preventative measures available to thankfully slow its progression.
Prevalence of Arthritis
Types of Arthritis That Can Affect the Hands
The most common forms of arthritis which affect the joints of the hands and fingers are osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis,psoriatic arthritis, gout,post-traumatic arthritis, and lupus. These can cause damage to the hands as well as other joints.
Each of these has specific symptoms, causes, and treatment options.
Osteoarthritis(OA) is a form of degenerative arthritis often referred to as “wear and tear” arthritis. It is more common in older adults.
OA can affect anyjoint of the hands and fingers. However, the most commonly affected joints are:Thecarpometacarpal(CMC)joint or the area where the base of the thumb articulates with thewrist jointThe middle joint of the finger, known as theproximal interphalangeal(PIP) jointThe small joint closest to the fingertip, known as thedistal interphalangeal(DIP) joint
OA can affect anyjoint of the hands and fingers. However, the most commonly affected joints are:
Other than natural wear and tear, there’s no definitivecause of OAin the hands. There are, however, several contributing factors that may increase a person’s risk of developing the disease. These factors include but are not limited to:
Often the first noticeable signs of OA of the hands are when affected individuals start to ask those around them for help with previously simple tasks, such as opening jars or buttoning shirts.
Typicalsymptoms of OAof the hands and fingers include:
Bony Enlargements of the JointsBony overgrowths of the PIP joints are referred to asBouchard’snodes. If they occur on the DIP joints, they are known asHeberden’snodes.
Bony Enlargements of the Joints
Bony overgrowths of the PIP joints are referred to asBouchard’snodes. If they occur on the DIP joints, they are known asHeberden’snodes.
In severe cases of thumb joint osteoarthritis, people may develop an extensor thumb deformity in which the thumb is extended to approximately 90 degrees and is unable to move due to complete loss of cartilage. In these cases, the remaining joint in the thumb becomes hyper-mobile to compensate.
Common treatmentsfor hand OA include:
Rheumatoid arthritis(RA) is a systemic inflammatory disease in which an individual’s ownimmune systemattacks their joints and organs. RA can lead to permanent joint deformities if the disease is not managed and treated promptly.The exactcause of RAremains unclear; however, genetics are known to play a large role.
In addition to genetics, some risk factors include:
Palindromic RheumatismPalindromicrheumatism is a rare condition in which RA symptoms develop suddenly and then resolve just as quickly. In between attacks, symptoms completely disappear. Approximately 50% of people with palindromic rheumatism will progress to develop RA in the future.
Palindromic Rheumatism
Palindromicrheumatism is a rare condition in which RA symptoms develop suddenly and then resolve just as quickly. In between attacks, symptoms completely disappear. Approximately 50% of people with palindromic rheumatism will progress to develop RA in the future.
Commonsymptoms of RAin the hands include:
Themetacarpophalangeal(MCP) joints, known more commonly as the “knuckles” of the hand, and thePIPjoints tend to be affected more often in people with rheumatoid arthritis.
The main goal oftreating RAis to decrease systemic inflammation throughout the entire body. If inflammation levels are well-managed, hand symptoms should begin to improve as well.
Treatment options include:
If treated early enough, some biologic medications may be able to reverse previous joint damage as well as slow the progression of future damage.
Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic inflammatory condition affecting the joints, which can be seen in people withpsoriasis. Typicallyaffecting the larger jointslike the knees and wrists, PsA can affect the big toe and the hands and finger joints as well.
Like RA, the exactcause of PsAremains unclear. However, genetics appear to play a large role in this disease. Nearly 40% of people with PsA have a family member with either psoriasis or other forms of arthritis.
In addition to joint pain, stiffness, and swelling, there are some characteristicsigns of PsAof the hands, including:
Psoriatic Arthritis MutilansArthritis mutilans, a rare form of severe and destructive PsA, occurs when joint spaces are almost completely destroyed and even fuse in some areas. This leads to severely deformed fingers and the loss of functionality. An “opera-glass deformity” occurs when the fingers telescope backwards and bend unnaturally.
Psoriatic Arthritis Mutilans
Arthritis mutilans, a rare form of severe and destructive PsA, occurs when joint spaces are almost completely destroyed and even fuse in some areas. This leads to severely deformed fingers and the loss of functionality. An “opera-glass deformity” occurs when the fingers telescope backwards and bend unnaturally.
Like RA, the goal ofPsA treatmentis to reduce inflammation throughout the body. This can be achieved through the use of:
Goutis a form of inflammatory arthritis in whichuric acid crystals accumulate within a joint and cause symptoms.
A buildup ofuric acidwithin the joints can occur due to:
Uric acid crystal accumulations within the hands and fingers can lead to joints which are:
Gouty tophi(hardened, white accumulations of uric acid crystals) can also present on any of the joints of the fingers, usually in the DIP and PIP joints.
Treatment optionsinclude:
What to Eat When You Have Gout
Lupusis an autoimmune disorder in which the body’s immune system starts attacking its own healthy organs and tissues.Lupus is a multi-system disease affecting various parts of the body including the joints of the hands and fingers.
Similar to most other autoimmune illnesses, the exactcause of lupusis unknown. Genetics play a significant role, along with other risk factors.
Commonsymptoms of lupusinclude:
Like other inflammatory illnesses,treatment for lupusof the hands includes:
Any time there is trauma or injury to a joint, arthritis will develop more aggressively in that area. Types of trauma to the hands or fingers may include:
This is known aspost-traumatic arthritis. Depending on the severity of the injury, arthritis may develop quickly or years later.
Symptoms of post-traumatic arthritis include:
If the trauma has just occurred, then immediate medical attention is required. A healthcare provider will be able to properly splint or cast any fractures or treat any dislocated joints.
Arthritis which has formed in areas of previous trauma is treated similarly to OA, including:
Summary
A Word From Verywell
9 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.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Arthritis related statistics.
Arthritis Foundation.Osteoarthritis of the hands.
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Arthritis of the hand.
Arthritis Foundation.Palindromic rheumatism.
Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center.Rheumatoid arthritis signs and symptoms.
American College of Rheumatology.Psoriatic arthritis.
Ragab G, Elshahaly M, Bardin T.Gout: An old disease in new perspective – A review.J Adv Res. 2017;8(5):495-511. doi:10.1016/j.jare.2017.04.008
Lupus Foundation of America.What is lupus?
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
