The inflammation of joints is known as arthritis.If you have arthritis in your hands, you may have inflammation in one or more of the joints.An injury to your hand can be a cause of arthritis in the hands.Proper care of your hands will help you manage the pain, inflammation, and other changes to them.
Step 1: The recommended medications should be taken.
If you have arthritis, your doctor may recommend that you take certain medications on a regular basis.Ibuprofen can be taken several times a day without a prescription.The pain and inflammation caused by arthritis can be alleviated with the following medications.Is it a drug?You can get prescriptions for stronger versions of NSAIDS if you choose to.There are Tylenol 3s and 4s.Corticosteroids are used to control inflammation.The drugs are injected.Rheumatoid arthritis can be treated with oral corticosteroids.Analgesics target only pain relief and do not control inflammation.Is it a drug?A cream form of analgessics is also available.It can be rubbed into the skin that is painful.Over-the-counter versions of regular strength Tylenol and a variety of the cream versions are available.By prescription, stronger versions of analgesics are available.The drugs that work to modify your arthritis are called disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs.Drugs are only available by prescription.They work to block specific steps in the inflammation process of your body.Drugs are only available by prescription.Osteoporosis medications can help build new bone.All of the drugs used to treat osteoporosis are only available by prescription.
Step 2: Pain can be treated with injections.
Regular injections at the site of your arthritis may be recommended if anti-Inflammatory medications are not successful.The injections can last for several months and usually include an anesthetic and a steroid.Injections are only meant to be a temporary measure and cannot be continued indefinitely.
Step 3: Take care of your hands and wrists.
In addition to medication or injections, sphints can be used on your hands and wrists.In order to reduce the stress placed on your hand or wrist by certain activities, a splint can be used.Normally, sphints are worn for a limited time every day.When performing certain activities which may cause them more pain, most arthritis sufferers use splints.
Step 4: You should consider surgery for your hand.
Sometimes medications and injections don't work as well as we'd like.Hand surgery is an option to consider.The main goal of the surgery is to reduce the pain over the long-term.Surgery where the joint can be saved or reconstructed is always the best option.If it is not possible to save the joint, your doctor may perform a joint replacement or fusion.If you use the joint together, you can reduce the amount of pain you experience, but it will permanently remove any movement you have in that joint.The pain is eliminated by the fact that the joint can no longer rub together.A man-made joint is used in joint replacement.Man-made joints can last a long time and usually consist of plastic, metals or ceramic.A joint replacement will allow you to continue using your hand, even though you are experiencing pain.
Step 5: Attend hand therapy after surgery.
Hand therapy is a type of physical therapy that you will need after surgery.After surgery, you may be asked to wear a splint full-time in order to limit the movement of your hand while it heals.Until your hand or wrist is strong, you may need to change the activities you do.3 months after surgery, most people are able to resume normal activities.The speed of recovery depends on the amount of effort you put into taking care of your hand or wrist.
Step 6: The ice pack can be used to reduce inflammation.
If the joint in your hands or wrists is swollen and painful from arthritis, you can use an ice pack or cold compress to help reduce the swelling and relieve the pain.
Step 7: You should keep your hands warm.
It is possible to give your hands or wrists pain relief by heating them up.Many arthritis sufferers find that they experience more pain in cold environments if they keep their hands or wrists warm all the time.Gloves can help relieve pain.It is possible to keep your hands warm while you sleep by wearing cotton gloves.Every morning, use a hot wax dip on your hands to warm them up.The hot wax can be kept in a crock pot.
Step 8: Get a device that helps people with disabilities.
You won't be able to perform certain activities if you have arthritis in your hands.If you don't always have someone to help you with your activities, there are many products on the market that can help.The internet is a good place to find out what products are available and where you can get them.Determine which products would be best for you by searching for arthritis self-help devices.
Step 9: Glucosamine and chondroitin can be taken.
Glucosamine and chondroitin can be purchased at health stores.They have been shown to reduce the amount of pain in people with osteoarthritis, but they do not work on everyone.You might want to take these supplements for 2 months to see if they help with your wrist or hand pain.There is no point in continuing to take them if they don't give you any relief.Glucosamine and chondroitin claim to help rebuild your joints.These supplements are not approved by the FDA for that purpose because there have been no scientific studies to confirm this is an accurate claim.
Step 10: Eat more fish.
Omega 3, which can be found in many types of fish and in fish oil capsule, can possibly reduce the amount of inflammation in your body.Adding more fish to your diet can be an option if this doesn't work for you.
Step 11: You should bend your thumb.
Hold your right hand in a comfortable and relaxed position with all your fingers.Touch the bottom of your little finger with your right thumb.Put your thumb back in the original position.If you are comfortable with your right hand, repeat the exercise as many times as possible.If you're done with the exercise, repeat it with your left hand.
Step 12: You can extend your fingers.
With no gaps between your fingers, hold your right hand up.The tips of your fingers should go towards your palm.Keeping your hand and fingers straight, bend only the first and second knuckles.Put your hand back to your starting position.Slowly and smoothly bend your fingers.If you are comfortable with your right hand, repeat the exercise as many times as possible.If you're done with the exercise, repeat it with your left hand.
Step 13: Make a gesture.
Rest your fingers, hand and wrist on a flat surface.Start by holding your hand at a 90 degree angle to the flat surface and pointing your fingers straight.Close your hand and make a loose fist while resting on the flat surface.You should rest your thumb on your fist.Put your hand back to the starting position.Slowly and smoothly bend your hand.Don't squeeze your fingers when your hand is in a fist.If you are comfortable with your right hand, repeat the exercise as many times as possible.If you're done with the exercise, repeat it with your left hand.
Step 14: Put your hand into a C.
You are going to shake someone's hand if you hold your right hand out in front of you.There are no gaps between your fingers.To hold a can of pop, use your fingers and thumb to curve your hand into the shape of a C.You should un-curve your hand back to the original position.Un-curve your fingers slowly.If you are comfortable with your right hand, repeat the exercise as many times as possible.If you're done with the exercise, repeat it with your left hand.
Step 15: Use your fingers and thumb to make circles.
You are going to shake someone's hand if you hold your right hand out in front of you.There are no gaps between your fingers.To form a circle, start by curving your index finger and thumb.The process begins with your middle finger, followed by your ring finger and finally your little finger.Un-curve your fingers slowly.If you are comfortable with your right hand, repeat the exercise as many times as possible.If you're done with the exercise, repeat it with your left hand.
Step 16: You can move your fingers across the table.
Rest your right hand on the table and keep your fingers straight.Point your thumb away from your hand by keeping a small gap between your fingers.There is a larger gap between your index and middle fingers when you slide your finger to the left.You can repeat the movement with your middle, ring and little fingers.Once you have moved all four fingers on your right hand, move them back to the starting position and repeat the exercise as many times as is comfortable.When you are done with the exercise, repeat it with your left hand.You always move your fingers towards your thumb regardless of which hand you exercise in.