Arthritis of the Hand. Is it Osteo or Rheumatoid ?

[@christophersemenya9890]

You have explained very well that I can't listen to any sources

[@TheMargo420]

After watching this video I will say I have RA. 3 years of steroids have only changed things that I do not want changed. Thankfully my RA Doctor retired and I look forward to getting some help from the younger Doctor. I think my AI problem flared up after a pneumonia vaccine. One day I was in perfect health. I woke up one morning and had lots of pain and every joint in my body ached. I could not get out of bed . I have many issues listed as active but still have no diagnosis....Thank you.

[@PhysioMSK]

Well if you think you might have RA then do go see a Rheumatologist asap as the joints damage can continue to progress until the condition is properly treated.

[@TheMargo420]

I do have an RA. I have been seeing the older one for 3 years. The new one for 9 months. No diagnosis, just blood work showing the markers to be elevated but could be Lupus ,OA, . I sometimes wonder.@@PhysioMSK

[@suemahoney7330]

I had OA in my hands for about 10 years. I have Heberden's nodes ( bone growth bumps) on my first joints. I stopped eating dairy, eggs, and gluten. Two and a half weeks later, while putting on hand cream, which was usually painful, I noticed I did not have pain. I only had pain in one pinkie finger. A few days later that pain was gone. I am now 100% paid free. In severe winter weather sometimes I get a small amount of pain or the joints seem a little more swollen. I make sure to wear warm winter gloves and stay inside more. Thank you for all your videos!

[@PhysioMSK]

That's a great result Sue. Im glad you found something that works for you. Thanks for the kind comment. Best wishes. Stephen.

[@sallywatkins4009]

Can you give me the names 3 thumb supports you recommend please

[@PhysioMSK]

Sure. Check out my 2nd previous video. Links to 3 splints in the description.

[@catherinepierce1622]

I have both RA and OA. What's the best treatment? In constant pain, I am on some meds, but nothing helps the pain.

[@PhysioMSK]

Maybe joint replacement if you've tried everything else. I presume you've already seen a Rheumatologist.

[@coeniedevilliers8792]

Thank you. This was excellent. Clear descriptions and information. Very helpful!

[@PhysioMSK]

Thanks very much for the feedback. Much appreciated.

[@whitedogleeds]

Very helpful thank you. I've had RA since 2007. Was on MTX and now Sulfasalazine. I think it's stable but I'm now experiencing a lot of pain in my hands - mostly the base of the third fingers (MCP?) and wrists. Sudden twisting movements are painful. It's becoming difficult to grip and lift objects like a kettle. I often now get what I think is trigger finger as the third finger sometimes locks down. Waiting on an ultrasound scan to see if RA or OA. Telephone appointment with Rheumatology suggested OA. I also have a uveitis condition (Fuchs iridocyclitis, diagnosed at 40 in 2000) in my right eye which caused secondary glaucoma. I've often wondered if the RA and Fuchs are connected but none of the specialists have ever confirmed. Recent Dexa scan on hips/spine also confirms ongoing osteoporosis! Wondering what's coming next! 😃

[@Chad123x]

Any supplements recommendations for OA

[@PhysioMSK]

Look through my videos. I’ve done one on diet & supplements for arthritis

[@Iceland874]

Can it cause hand cramps and affect the two middle fingers forced forward and the palm? My palm is distorted during the cramps and two middle fingers are forced bent. The cramps can last 5 to 10 minutes. I can’t rub the cramps away and my hand looks deformed during the cramps. I have no other health issues and am not overweight.

[@PhysioMSK]

Hand cramps are either caused by overuse of gripping activities (muscle spasm), a biochemical imbalance (usually salt or vitamin / mineral deficiencies or a drug side effect eg. Statins) or a neurological condition such as dystonia or dyskinesia.

[@peneloperoseleckie4981]

what if you have both Osteo and Rheumatoid?

[@PhysioMSK]

Some of the treatments overlap such as hand therapy, exercises and joint injections but they are very different conditions and RA in particular needs careful management with immunosuppressive drugs usually taken for life.

[@UMER-qr9bf]

I am a rheumatoid patiet and my fingers are getting crooked please tell me how can i prevent them

[@PhysioMSK]

Keeping your Rheumatoid disease under control is the best thing you can do. If you're not getting regular flare ups of pain and swelling then that is good. Beyond that, I'm afraid you're in the lap of the gods. You could try a night splint - just google 'night / resting splints for rheumatoid hands' but the evidence is fairly minimal that they can help. Generally speaking, we don't often see badly deformed hands very often as the disease management drugs for RA are so good now. Best wishes. Stephen.