| Each hand is made up of 25 bones involving joints in | | | | becomes so severe that at times, one cannot even |
| fingers as well as the wrist. Any ailment of the hands | | | | sleep at night. Pain increases in humid weather and |
| leads to difficulty in performing routine functions such | | | | even small activities such as opening a lock or opening |
| as gripping, holding etc. and could also lead to | | | | a jar in the kitchen are also hampered. |
| deformity. | | | | 2- Swelling- with pain, if stress continues for a longer |
| Arthritis in hands causes inflammation, swelling, | | | | period of time, swelling is caused and restrictsfurther |
| stiffness, pain etc. The two main types of arthritis are: | | | | joint movement. |
| Osteoarthritis - This occurs generally in older people | | | | 3- Stiffness- With persistent pain, the stiffness |
| and pain gradually increases over a period of time. The | | | | increases. Also, it is more in the mornings and in colder |
| padding or the natural shock absorbers of the hands - | | | | climate. |
| the cartilage is affected, causing pain, restricting | | | | 4- Warmth- The affected joint may feel warm when |
| movements and reducing strength. | | | | touched. |
| Rheumatoid Arthritis - This is a more severe form and | | | | 5- Increased mobility of other hands- The hands |
| unlike Osteo, the location of pain in the body cannot be | | | | surrounding the affected one may feel more mobile |
| predicted. The effect is not only on joints but also on | | | | than normal. |
| muscles, tendons and other tissues of the body. | | | | 6- Cysts - Small cysts may form on the knuckles |
| Symptoms - | | | | especially at the end. |
| 1- Pain - Initial symptoms include pain in hands with a | | | | 7- Deformity- In advanced stages, continuous swelling |
| burning sensation. It increases when the hands are | | | | may cause shape change. Also, the joint may feel |
| stressed with activities like lifting weight, writing, knitting | | | | loose and crippled. The basic structure of the joint may |
| or any continuous and regular movement. Pain | | | | become weak. |