Pain or loss of function of the hands can transform even a simple task into a painful ordeal. Arthritis can make it difficult to button a shirt or carry a shopping bag. Carpal tunnel syndrome can interfere with work or hobbies. Hand or finger deformities can make basic self-care routines such as getting dressed or brushing teeth difficult. Problems of the hand range from the mechanical to the neurological. Two leading causes of pain are arthritis and carpal tunnel syndrome, but lupus, gout, cysts, tendonitis, and other injuries can also im-pair hand function. Today, nearly one in every 3 adults has arthritis or other chronic joint problems. The key symptoms of arthritis of the hands are stiffness, swelling, pain, and loss of motion and function, making it the leading cause of disability among Americans. Although there are more than 100 different types of arthritis, the most common is osteoarthritis, sometimes called degenerative joint disease. An estimated 21 million Americans, mostly middle-aged and older, have osteoarthritis. In addition, it typically strikes the knees, hips, feet, and back. Muscle weakness and a history of joint injuries caused by sports or accidents may also make a person more prone to a type of osteoarthritis known as traumatic arthritis. Ordinary, repetitive activities such as typing or playing a musical instrument may worsen arthritis symptoms, but they do not cause osteoarthritis of the hands. Carpal tunnel syndrome affects nearly 2% to 3% of all Americans, affecting nearly twice as many women as men. The classic symptoms are pain, weakness, and tingling in the thumb, index finger, middle finger, and half of the ring finger. Often, symptoms will occur at night and can cause awakening. Sleeping with flexed wrists, a common habit, can contribute to the nighttime symptoms. After awakening, it may be necessary to shake the hand to restore normal feeling. Some people say their hands feel swollen and useless, even though their hands don’t appear swollen. As the condition progresses, a tingling feeling may occur during the day, and the pain may radiate up the arm. It may become difficult to make a tight fist, grasp small objects, or do other things with the hands. In severe, chronic cases, the muscles at the base of the thumb weaken. The ability to distinguish between hot and cold by touch may be lost. With more than 200,000 performed each year, the procedure to ease this nerve disorder is one of the most common surgeries done in the United States.
(Source: HealthBeat, Harvard Health Publications, Harvard Medical School, June 19, 2008)
