The browser you are using is not supported by this website. All versions of Internet Explorer are no longer supported, either by us or Microsoft (read more here: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/windows/end-of-ie-support).

Please use a modern browser to fully experience our website, such as the newest versions of Edge, Chrome, Firefox or Safari etc.

OA of the wrist and fingers part II

Right hand seen from above

The second part of our theme on osteoarthritis of the wrist and finger joints. We get to share facts and tips from Freya Kristjansdottir, Sara Larsson, and Katarina Mortazavi, all three of whom work at Skåne University Hospital, Hand Surgery Rehab in Malmö.”

It is not always easy to know where to turn to get help with the testing of aids. During our conversation, we learn that you can turn to an occupational therapist in the municipality where you live. In some municipalities, these visits are subject to a fee and in some not, the rules for renting aids also differ between municipalities, therefore it is not possible to give an answer that applies to everyone. We also learn that the range of aids for hands is small, so in many cases, you need to buy what you need yourself. There are special aid stores, both physical and online, that have a wide range of aids, even for hands.

We also wanted to know if there is anything general to say about having OA in the hand/wrist when it comes to what is most affected. The answer is that what is most limiting both physically and psychologically is pain. In addition to this, there are often problems with both reduced strength in the hand, poorer fine motor skills, joint stiffness, and swelling.

That OA in the thumb base, finger joints, and wrist is less common than knee and hip arthritis, we have touched on several occasions. From Katarina, Sara, and Freya, we learned more facts when they told us about a study that showed that the prevalence of hand OA among women aged 65-75 years is 6.9% compared to knee OA which is 19.1%. We also learnt that there are some studies that have shown positive effects of education and training as a treatment for patients with thumb base and finger joint arthritis. However, the studies are still few and the results are uncertain. Even less explored is OA of the wrist, where there is only one study that has shown small positive effects of education and training as treatment.

It is not only the fact that hand and wrist OA is less common that makes them difficult to treat, it also depends on the fact that they are other types of joints with greater range of motion and different load-bearing capacity compared to the knee and hip joints.

If you are affected by OA in your fingers or wrist, here are some things that may be good to keep in mind:

Continue to use your hands but do not forget to compensate for the reduced function through aids or work methods that save the joints.

A good orthosis. Especially if you have thumb base or wrist arthritis. The orthosis does not always need to be used, perhaps only during activities that load the hand or cause pain.

The risk of not compensating with aids or using an orthosis is that the hand will be used in a position where you experience the least problems. This position risks becoming permanent, leading to imbalance. An example is that thumb base OA often causes the thumb base to end up in an adducted position. To be able to grip, the other joint in the thumb must be hyperextended, and in this way, you have got problems there as well.