Q: I’m having pain and stiffness in my hands and wrists. It’s getting harder to fasten the buttons on my clothes. A friend said I might have arthritis. Could she be right?
A: “Pain and stiffness, especially in the morning, can be signs of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) – and autoimmune disorder that can affect joints in the hands, wrists, feet, ankles, knees, shoulders and elbows. Typically the same joints are affected on both sides of the body. The disease can make it difficult to perform activities of daily living, such as buttoning shirts and tying shoes. Other symptoms in the hands, which may begin suddenly or gradually, are:
- Swelling over the joints
- Bumps over the small joints
- Decreased movement, including the ability to grasp or pinch
- Pain that is worse with movement of the joints
- Fatigue
- Occasional fever
Keep in mind that those symptoms may resemble other medical conditions or problems. That’s why it’s important to consult your physician for a diagnosis. After taking a complete medical history and performing a physical exam, he or she may order diagnostic procedures such as x-rays or blood tests. Samples of fluid or tissue may also be taken from the joint for testing.
If you do have RA, there are a variety of treatment options that may help provide relief and enable better movement in affected joints.”
To schedule an appointment with any of CSMO’s hand specialists, call (423) 624-2696 or click here for online scheduling options.
Justin Arnold, MD
Fellowship Trained Hand Surgeon
To schedule an appointment with any of CSMO’s hand and upper extremity specialists, call (423) 624-2696 or click here for online scheduling options. You can also visit our self-pay marketplace, which offers transparent pre-payment options for self-pay patients.
