Hand osteoarthritis

• More common over age of 50
• May have firm, knobbly swellings at the finger joints (Heberden’s and Bouchard’s nodes)
• Osteoarthritis can be diagnosed clinically without investigations if a person:
  • is 45 or over and
  • has activity-related joint pain and
  • morning stiffness that lasts no longer than 30 minutes.

• Long term condition; important to continue to maintain movement and strength without putting undue pressure through joints
• Activity modification i.e. taking short breaks during activities.
• Hand/ wrist ROM i.e. making full fist, stretching hands and thumb to finger opposition.
• Use of heat (when hands stiff/ache) and ice (when hand swollen/hot)

• Please refer to NICE Guidelines for further info re management of OA
• Print out the following patient information booklets:

  • Versus arthritis OA hands and wrist leaflet

  • Looking after your joints leaflet

  • Otter hand exercises

  • NHS Inform - Osteoarthritis

Predominantly thumb issues, or acute joint deformity causing pain and loss of function;

Refer via SCI Gateway to Occupational Therapy Hand Clinic and include following in referral:

• Duration of self management
• Duration of symptoms
• History of trauma
• Symptoms unmanageable/impacting greatly on function

Boggy, hot swelling; Refer direct to Rheumatology 

• If boggy swelling of any hand joints, there may be an inflammatory arthritis, so please refer direct to Rheumatology describing the affected joints, onset and duration of symptoms.