Hand arthritis occurs when the joints in the hand experience inflammation, stiffness and pain due to damage or wear and tear.
Osteoarthritis is a degeneration of the cartilage that cushions the joints and often affects the fingers and base of the thumb. Rheumatoid Arthritis is the immune system attacking the joint lining, causing inflammation and damage. Post-traumatic arthritis is often from joint injuries, such as fractures or dislocations, leading to cartilage damage, which can develop even years after an injury.
Psoriatic arthritis is often associated with psoriasis, which causes swelling in the fingers and creates a “sausage-like” appearance. Gout and pseudogout are the buildup of uric acid or calcium pyrophosphate crystals in the joints, which may cause sudden, intense pain, redness and swelling in the joints of the fingers. Arthritis can also result from an infection in the joint, leading to rapid onset of pain, redness, and swelling, requiring urgent treatment.
Your arthritis may originate from a family history of arthritis, which can increase susceptibility. Repeated motions or strain on hand joints (e.g., typing, gripping tools) accelerates wear and tear, especially with osteoarthritis. There is an increased likelihood of developing arthritis due to cartilage breakdown as we get older. Women are more likely to develop arthritis, particularly rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.
There are three primary regenerative therapy devices used to treat hand arthritis:
• Magneto-Transduction Therapy (MTT) is an innovative, non-invasive treatment that uses pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMF) to help reduce pain and inflammation, promote healing and improve joint mobility. When applied to conditions like hand arthritis, MTT can be highly effective in addressing both the physical and emotional impacts of chronic pain.
• Radial Pulse Wave Therapy (RPWT) is a non-invasive treatment that uses acoustic waves to target the surrounding area of pain and inflammation, including the joints of the hands. It is especially effective for managing chronic conditions like hand arthritis, helping to reduce joint pain and improve mobility.
• Focused Shockwave Therapy (FSWT) is an advanced, non-invasive treatment that uses targeted sound waves to treat pain and promote healing in affected tissues and joints. For those suffering from hand arthritis, FSWT can be a highly effective option for relieving pain, reducing inflammation and improving joint function.
Regenerative therapy is an emerging technology in medicine. All of these regenerative therapy machines can treat arthritis thoroughly and are a cost-effective way to effectively heal your hands. Although it is rare for any clinic like ours to have access to all three machines, each of them have benefits in different ways which have provided great results for our patients.
Combination therapy
You may also add hand therapy to regenerative therapy if desired.
The combination could accelerate the healing process, reducing downtime and get you back to your regular activities faster.
Regenerative therapy addresses the pain and inflammation, while hand therapy strengthens the muscles and supports joint health in the long term.
By improving muscle strength and joint stability, hand therapy helps prevent the recurrence of arthritis flare-ups.
Combining regenerative therapy and hand therapy can provide significant relief and improve your quality of life.
The benefits
• Improves Mobility: The therapy can increase the range of motion in the fingers and wrists by loosening tight muscles and soft tissues.
• Stimulates Tissue Repair: Encourages tissue regeneration, particularly in damaged cartilage or tendons, which helps maintain joint health over time.
• Non-Invasive: Regenerative therapy offers an alternative to more invasive treatments like surgery or injections. It’s safe, effective, has minimal downtime, and does not carry the risks associated with medications or injections, making it an attractive option for many people with hand arthritis.
• Pain Reduction: Helps to reduce pain by decreasing inflammation in the joints, desensitizing nerve endings and stimulating pain relief mechanisms at the cellular level.
• Accelerated Healing: Regenerative therapy promotes tissue repair and regeneration, especially when cartilage damage or soft tissue inflammation occurs, improving long-term joint health.
Taking steps
Living with hand arthritis pain can significantly affect your quality of life, making it essential to address and manage the condition. Pain and stiffness can limit your ability to perform crucial tasks like writing, cooking, typing or opening jars. Addressing arthritis pain helps you regain strength and mobility, allowing you to remain independent. Chronic pain can affect your emotional well-being, leading to frustration, anxiety or even depression. Treating hand pain enables you to enjoy hobbies, work and social activities without discomfort.
Ignoring arthritis symptoms can lead to progressive joint degeneration and deformities over time. Early intervention slows the disease’s progression, preserving joint health and structure. PhysioFit treats people with hand arthritis pain with all three regenerative therapy devices as a stand alone treatment and often in combination with hand therapy. Our patients see more successful outcomes, spend less money and heal faster. Don’t let hand arthritis pain control your life – take the first step toward relief today.
Kim Gladfelter is the owner, physical therapist and pilates instructor at PhysioFit Physical Therapy & Wellness, 1000 Fremont Ave., Suite 108, Los Altos.
