bone, joint, and muscle disorders
Osteoarthritis of the Hand
Treatment of Osteoarthritis of the Hand
Measures to relieve pain Occasionally an injection of a corticosteroid or surgery Treatment of osteoarthritis of the hand may include range-of-motion exercises in warm water (to relieve pain during the exercises and to keep the joints as flexible as possible), rest, splinting intermittently to prevent deformity, and use of analgesics or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs ( Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs ) to relieve pain and swelling. Occasionally, a Corticosteroids may need to be injected into severely affected joints to relieve pain and increase range of motion. Sometimes, when osteoarthritis is advanced and other treatments are not effective, the joint may need to be reconstructed or fused surgically. The hand joint that most often requires surgery for osteoarthritis is the one at the base of the thumb. 