Arthritis

Chattanooga, Tennessee

Osteoarthritis (Degenerative Arthritis)

There are many different types of arthritic conditions that involve the hands and wrist.  The two most common forms of arthritis are osteoarthritis (OA) , sometimes called degenerative arthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis (RA).  Osteoarthritis develops when the cartilage breaks down causing pain and stiffness in the joints of the hands.  Our joints provide flexibility, stability, support and protection for our bones.  The cartilage assists with these functions by coating the ends of the bones. 

Symptoms for which you might initially seek treatment at your medical doctor include:

• Pain in the affected joint;
• Swelling, pain, stiffness after non-activity such as upon waking in the morning;
• Continuous pain indicating a more advanced condition where there has been complete loss of cartilage.

Osteoarthritis does not spread to other areas of the body but is confined to the affected joints. 

Rheumatoid Arthritis develops as your body’s immune system attacks a joint causing inflammation and significant pain in wrists and hands (as well as other areas).  Rheumatoid arthritis may also have other symptoms such as loss of appetite, fever, no energy, anemia or tissue lumps under the skin.

Treatment
As the symptoms associated with either condition progress and become more severe, your medical doctor may recommend a consultation with a hand surgeon.  Your evaluation by a hand surgeon is individualized and the treatment is based on the type of arthritis, severity, functional limitations and functional requirements.  Similar to other conditions that we treat, conservative management is the first approach.  Conservative measures include;

• therapy
• activity modification
• steroid injections

If your symptoms advance further, there are many different surgical interventions that may correct deformity, improve motion and reduce pain.  These procedures include tendon or ligament transfers, joint replacements and joint fusions.

Although arthritic conditions cannot be cured, most patients experience improvement in their wrist, hand and finger complaints.  If your “wear and tear” osteoarthritis or rheumatoid condition involves your hands and is becoming problematic, consider an examination by one of the hand specialist at Hayes Hand Center in Chattanooga, Tennessee.