614-262-4263
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614-262-4263
Request Appointment
Arthritis

Hand and Microsurgery Associates

Hand Surgery & Orthopedic Surgery located in Columbus, OH
While you can get arthritis in any joint, about 40% of Americans have the potential to develop the condition in their hands. Arthritis causes sore, painful joints that interfere with your ability to complete day-to-day tasks. The team of board-certified orthopedic hand surgeons at Hand and Microsurgery Associates in Columbus, Ohio, provides expert diagnosis of arthritis and customized treatment plans to reduce your pain and restore your quality of life. Call Hand and Microsurgery Associates today to schedule a consultation and learn about your arthritis treatment options.
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Arthritis Q & A

What is arthritis?
Arthritis is the collective term for a group of diseases that cause inflammation, swelling, and pain in your joints. You can develop arthritis in any joint in your body, including your fingers, wrists, knees, and toes.

Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are the most common types of arthritis to affect the hands. Osteoarthritis develops as the cartilage that coats and protects your joints wears away. Without the cartilage to cushion them, your bones rub together, creating friction every time you move, causing irritation, inflammation, swelling, stiffness, and pain.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that attacks your synovial lining. Your synovial lining is a membrane that covers your joints and creates a lubricating fluid to coat your joints for smooth, pain-free movement. Rheumatoid arthritis often begins in your smallest joints and affects both sides of your body. Rheumatoid arthritis also often leads to cartilage damage and increases your risk of osteoarthritis.

When should I talk to a doctor about arthritis?
You use your hands for many day-to-day tasks, from brushing your teeth and preparing food to typing or scrolling through your phone. Pain in your hands, wrists, or any other joint of your body can severely interfere with your ability to function independently and maintain your quality of life.

Arthritis can also make your joints red or feel warm to the touch. You can also develop cysts on the joints of your fingers, which further impair your mobility.

If you have chronic joint pain, stiffness, and swelling in your joints that interferes with your life, it’s time to talk to an orthopedic specialist. When left untreated, arthritis can lead to bone erosion and joint deformity.

How is arthritis diagnosed?
The team at Hand and Microsurgery Associates provides comprehensive exams to diagnose arthritis. After reviewing your medical history and symptoms, they examine your joints, looking for swelling, heat, and reduced mobility.

They also use imaging studies like MRIs and X-rays to collect more data about your joints. The team often orders bloodwork to confirm rheumatoid arthritis or other diseases that can contribute to joint pain.

How is arthritis treated?
The team at Hand and Microsurgery Associates provides customized treatment plans to manage arthritis. Depending on your needs, they might recommend anti-inflammatory medication, nutritional supplements like glucosamine and chondroitin, and corticosteroid injections. Physical therapy can also help relieve arthritis pain and stiffness.

In severe cases, they offer surgery to repair and restore your joints. For example, your surgeon might recommend a joint fusion procedure to reduce your pain and restore your function.

Call Hand and Microsurgery Associates if you have chronic joint pain that’s interfering with your life.

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