Osteoarthritis of the Hands and Winter Time

Winter is knocking at our door and as its gets colder, all sorts of ailments and aches become less bearable. Many people who suffer from Osteoarthritis (OA) testify that their condition is exacerbated during the cold season.

OA is the most common joint problem. It is a degenerative disease, which causes a progressive breakdown of the joints' shock absorbers. It relates to the ageing process and the unavoidable wear and tear that naturally occurs in our joints. It might affect joints in the spine, weight-bearing joints in the legs and/or hands joints. The symptoms develop slowly with pain, stiffness and swelling which come on as a result of decreased joint space, increased density around the joint, bone overgrowth and altered bone shape.

The statistics says that by the age of 40 we will experience some changes in our weight-bearing joints. In our 60's most of us will have some degree of OA (which occurs more in women than men). 75% of women aged 60-70 will experience OA in the hands.

OA of the hands affects the base of the thumb (CMC joint), joints adjacent to the tips of the fingers (DIP joints), and the joints in the middle of the fingers (PIP joints). It will start with inflammation, pain, warmth, redness and swelling. Painful mucus cysts develop adjacent to the joints on the back of the fingers, followed by bony nodules, which replace the cysts.

People with OA of the hands experience decreased range of motion, muscle wasting, fixed deformity and diminished grip and pinch strength. This makes simple everyday activities, such as opening containers, lifting pans, turning keys or buttoning a shirt quite challenging.

There are ways you can manage your OA of the hand. Here are some tips:

1. Keep your hands warm - wear gloves whenever you can
2. Push doors with your body weight rather than your fingertips
3. Lift objects by scooping them with both hands, palms up
4. Instead of lifting objects, slide them
5. Carry items close to your body to better distribute the loads
6. Add leverage to items to reduce the force needed to operate them

We are very happy to give advice regarding appropriate hand exercises, splints and adaptive equipment. To get in touch with us, you can contact the Occupational Therapy department at the Hospital of St John and St Elizabeth on 020 7806 4000 ext 4455.

Daphna Sharf Razin, Occupational Therapist, The Hospital of St. John & St. Elizabeth

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