Finger-joint stiffness and pain are common for people with arthritis, but some also experience muscle cramps in the hands.

It happens to the best of us: You're writing or typing or cooking, and suddenly, without warning, the muscles in your hand seize up, causing pain and cramping. For people dealing with pain and inflammation in the hands and stiffness in the fingers and wrists due to rheumatoid arthritis or other conditions, daily tasks are already challenging enough. But RA can also impact muscle function, and some patients report that flare-ups often involve debilitating muscle cramps in the hands.

"The inflammation in joints causes spasms in the muscles adjacent to the joints, which is probably why people have hand cramps," explained Richard Brasington, MD, a rheumatologist at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University in St. Louis. "Plus, any dysfunction in joints is going to affect the adjacent muscles. Perhaps the muscles have to pull harder, due to the friction in an arthritic joint. Normal cartilage eliminates friction, but in RA it is damaged."

There are a range of factors that contribute to frequent hand-cramping, both in people with RA and in the general population. A narrowing of the arteries that deliver blood to the extremities -- such as the hands -- can produce cramping.  Dehydration and vitamin D deficiency have both been linked to muscle cramping. Frequently, a repetitive motion during a daily activity -- such as typing -- can cause muscle cramps in the hands.

Natalie Azar, MD, assistant clinical professor of medicine and rheumatology at NYU Langone Medical Center in New York City, said swollen joints can impact muscles in other ways that may contribute to chronic hand cramps that some RA patients experience . "For example, there can be tendon rupture or nerve impingement and subsequent muscle disuse and atrophy," she said. "Similarly, the concept of 'cramping' may in fact be 'stiffness' and muscle and joint 'achiness,' which is most certainly seen in RA."

Dr. Azar said certain RA drugs, such as Plaquenil, may actually help to reduce hand cramping. "Ultimately the goal of therapy is to reduce active joint inflammation to prevent structural damage," she explained.

Relief From Muscle Cramps in Your Hands

First, stick with your regular medication regimen, then try these other ways to ease the discomfort of muscle cramps in your hands on your own. Hot compresses, a common way to self-treat muscle tension, can help to relax hand muscles, which may stop cramping. Use a warm washcloth or hot water bottle and press against your hand for around 10 minutes, but no longer than 20 minutes.

Dr. Bransington recommends a slightly off-beat version of the hot compress: Fill a plastic container with uncooked white rice and microwave until the rice is hot, but not scalding. Immerse your hands in the rice and close and open hands. This should help to ease the tension and pain in your hands. Afterwards, you can cover the container and save it for later use.

Strengthening your hand muscles may also help to prevent cramping.  Certain hand exercises recommended by RA experts also work for anyone with hand cramps to alleviate the cramping and improve range of motion. These exercises are easy to do on your own without the assistance of a physical therapist or rheumatologist.

For example, try finger pinching: Touch your thumb to your index finger and pinch, then touch your thumb to your middle finger, then your ring finger.This exercise is useful to improve your ability to accomplish daily tasks, such as tying your shoelace or buttoning a shirt.

Also practice spreading your fingers apart to improve range of motion, and ease tasks such as putting on gloves. Lay your hand flat on a table with your fingers closed then gently spread them apart.