Hand pain can be frustrating and confusing, especially when it starts to interfere with daily life. You may wonder: is it just part of getting older, or could it be something more serious like rheumatoid arthritis (RA)? While osteoarthritis (OA) and RA can both affect your hands, they’re very different conditions with different treatments. Let’s dive into the key signs that can help you understand what’s causing your hand pain.
What Is Hand Arthritis?
When people think about arthritis, they usually imagine osteoarthritis. OA is a degenerative condition caused by wear and tear on the joints. It’s what we often associate with aging and overuse, and it’s common in areas like the knees, hips, and hands.
Rheumatoid arthritis, on the other hand, is an autoimmune disease. It occurs when your immune system mistakenly attacks your joints, causing inflammation that can damage them over time. Unlike OA, which is localized, RA is a systemic condition that can affect your entire body.
Understanding the differences between OA and RA is crucial for getting the right treatment—and relief.
Rheumatoid Arthritis and Hand Swelling
One of the biggest clues that your hand pain might be RA is the type of swelling you experience. In RA, joint swelling is caused by inflammation, which leads to fluid buildup. This swelling feels soft, squishy, and warm to the touch.
In contrast, OA often causes changes in the bone, making joints appear knobby or enlarged. These changes are hard and not warm to the touch.
If your hands feel swollen and warm, especially in the mornings, it’s a good idea to check in with a rheumatologist. Early treatment can help control the inflammation and prevent long-term damage.
The Morning Stiffness Test
Morning stiffness is another major sign that can help you tell RA apart from OA. With OA, stiffness usually resolves within 15-30 minutes after you wake up and start moving around.
But with RA, morning stiffness can last an hour or more. This prolonged stiffness can make your morning routine difficult and many will unconsciously make changes to their routine to compensate. If you’re noticing a significant delay in feeling comfortable in the mornings, it could be a sign of RA.
Don’t Forget About Your Wrists
When it comes to hand arthritis, the location of your pain matters. Wrist pain and swelling are much more common in RA than OA. In fact, it’s rare to have RA without wrist involvement.
In OA, pain is often focused on the last knuckles of the fingers (the distal interphalangeal joints or DIPs) or the base of the thumb. RA, however, tends to affect the middle and larger knuckles, as well as the wrist.
If your wrist is swollen, warm, and painful, it’s worth mentioning to your doctor.
RA Goes Beyond the Hands
Unlike OA, which is limited to the joints, RA is a systemic disease. This means it can cause symptoms beyond hand pain, including fatigue, brain fog, and a general feeling of being unwell.
If you’re experiencing hand swelling and pain along with other symptoms, it’s a sign that RA might be at play. Taking note of how you’re feeling overall can provide valuable clues for your doctor.
Take Stock of Your Hand Pain
If you’re dealing with hand pain, don’t ignore the details—they can be key to getting the right diagnosis. Look for signs like prolonged morning stiffness, soft and warm swelling, and wrist pain. Pay attention to whether your symptoms go beyond your hands, as this can also point to RA.
By understanding these differences, you can take the first steps toward getting answers and finding relief. If RA is suspected, blood tests like the Rheumatoid Factor and anti-CCP antibody can confirm the diagnosis and help guide your treatment plan.
Remember, hand arthritis isn’t something you just have to live with. Whether it’s OA or RA, the right approach can make a big difference in how you feel.
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