Hand arthritis is one of the most common forms of arthritis that mainly affects the joints of the fingers. As in most forms of arthritis the joints of the hand especially the fingers become inflamed resulting in pain. Essentially, a finger joint is made up of two bones that are covered by cartilage and are conjoined together moving easily across each other. If this surface of the joint becomes damaged or wears out over time, hand arthritis will result.

Hand arthritis is specifically very painful and debilitating due to the fact that hands have nineteen long bones and eight small bones that has several small joints in between. The more common forms of hand arthritis include post-traumatic arthritis, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis. Further causes of hand or finger joint arthritis might include gout, psoriasis and infection. Hand osteoarthritis is actually caused by wear and tear on the joints of the hand over time resulting in severe inflammation and pain. Normally hand arthritis is a result of this wear and tear; however it can also be the result of a specific bone or joint injury of the hand. Hand arthritis generally expands either along the bottom of the thumb, the wrist, the end joint that is closest to the tip of the finger or the middle joint of the finger.

The most common symptoms of hand arthritis are swelling, pain and reduced movement resulting in diminished pinch and grip strength. The doctor or health care professional will also examine all other joints to help aid the diagnosis of hand arthritis. The doctor can also find out the severity of the hand arthritis by observing the clinical appearance of the hand bones and joints. Further to the results of the X-rays will also be utilized to further identify the severity of hand arthritis by seeking potential bony outgrowths. There are various aids for hand arthritis and forms of reducing the pain of hand arthritis. Anti-inflammatory and Analgesic medications can normally be the first treatment utilized for hand arthritis. Resting the specific area of the hand or the entire hand is also crucial in terms of re-habilitating the area- a hand or wrist support may be required to aid this re-habilitation.

Physiotherapy for hand arthritis has also proven to be very effective aid as a relieve option. There are specific hand exercises, which can help in loosening the stiffened hand joints caused by the arthritis. Steroids or other modern medicines can also be injected locally into the affected area of the hand however this is only a form of pain relief, and certainly not a long-term treatment option for hand arthritis. Surgery is certainly the last option as pain relief aid for hand arthritis. The doctor or physician will seriously evaluate the health of the sufferer, his or her age, weight and risks of complications before recommending hand surgery as an viable alternative treatment option for hand arthritis. In fact hand arthritis can be tremendously debilitating condition, however with proper diagnosis by the doctor or physician the symptoms can be effectively managed and rehabilitation can take place. Like most of the arthritis cases early diagnosis is the key to aiding recovery in hand arthritis.