We may experience numbness in our hands and feet in the morning. While these contractions are often thought of as minor, they can be an important symptom of arthritis. “Osteoarthritis can cause pain in the hands, stiffness (especially in the morning), swelling, and tenderness in the joints,” CreakyJoints explains. “Osteoarthritis symptoms are typically worse in the patient’s dominant hand,” said Dr Kevin Wayne. However, the stiffness felt in the hand may be temporary, as the sensation may ease in just five to fifteen minutes.
CreakyJoints explains, “This is a condition where the tissue of the palms and fingers thickens and tightens, causing the fingers to curl inward. People who smoke, drink heavily, have seizures, or have diabetes are more vulnerable to developing the condition.” said.
HEAT AND ICE CAN BE APPLIED TO RELIEVE PAIN
If the cause of hand pain is osteoarthritis, over time, extra bones, known as osteophytes, may develop in the joints. If you suspect you have osteoarthritis, it is recommended that you make an appointment with your doctor. As for pain management, Dr Wayne recommends “using a combination of both heat and ice.” “Heat therapy is helpful in the morning to loosen the joint, while ice therapy is best later, after a day of activity.”
DO HAND EXERCISES
CreakyJoints recommends hand exercises for people with arthritis in their hands. The exercise you can do to help maintain the mobility of the joints is “punch.” “Start with your fingers straight and then slowly make a fist with your hand. Make sure your thumb is out of your hand. Don’t squeeze too hard, then straighten again.”
Another exercise to try is the “finger raise,” which requires placing your palm “flat on the table.” Once in this position, spread your fingers slightly and “slowly lift each one off the table, then lower the other before lifting the next.” Even making a “C” shape with your hands as if to grab a small ball can help. “Extend your hand in front of you, palm up. Then take each finger and bring it very slowly to the center of your palm. Hold, then straighten”
ARTHRITIS SYMPTOMS
- Persistent or repeated pain in one or more joints
- Warmth and redness in one or more joints
- swelling in one or more joints
- Feeling of stiffness in one or more joints
- Problems in performing normal movements in one or more joints