Osteoarthritis hand

Osteoarthritis in the hand is the wear and tear of cartilage in one or more joints, which can cause pain, stiffness, and sometimes swelling or small bony lumps. This form of osteoarthritis can occur in the fingers (finger osteoarthritis), the thumb (thumb osteoarthritis), and sometimes also in the wrist. Symptoms often worsen during movement and loading, such as gripping, writing, or opening jars. Because finger osteoarthritis is the most common, many braces and aids focus on supporting the finger joints. A well-fitted brace can stabilize the hand and fingers, reduce pain, and improve daily functioning.