OSTEOARTHRITIS OF THE HAND: UNDERSTANDING, RELIEVING, TREATING

Osteoarthritis of the hand is a frequent pathology, particularly in people over 50. It manifests itself as progressive wear and tear of joint cartilage, leading to pain, stiffness and sometimes deformity.

What are the symptoms?

The most common signs include:

• Pain with movement or pressure 

• Morning stiffness, often temporary 

• The appearance of small bumps (nodules) on the finger joints 

• Reduced grip strength

What are the causes?

Several factors can contribute to the onset of osteoarthritis:

• The natural aging of joints 

• Family history

• Repeated or long-standing trauma

• Certain professions that require intensive use of the hands

What treatments are available?

Treatment of osteoarthritis of the hand relies primarily on non-medicinal approaches: physiotherapy, splinting, local application of heat or cold. These treatments can provide relief from joint pain.

Medicinal treatments such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroid infiltration and hyaluronic acid have also proved effective.

Regenerative medicine with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections has revolutionized this pathology by improving altered cartilage.Dr Couturier has been using it routinely since 2018.

If conservative treatments fail, surgery may be considered. Options include joint trimming, in which the joint is cleaned of all its roughness, or joint replacement, depending on the location and severity of the osteoarthritis. 

Dr Couturier has extensive experience of these arthroplasties, with over 20 years' hindsight.