Elbow, Wrist & Hand

What It Is

Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis in the UK (NHS, 2023a). In osteoarthritis, the protective cartilage on the ends of the bones breaks down, causing pain, swelling and problems moving the joint (NHS, 2023a).

Almost any joint can be affected by osteoarthritis, but it most often causes problems in the knees, hips and small joints of the hands (NHS, 2023a). There is no cure, but osteoarthritis does not necessarily get worse over time, and it can sometimes gradually improve (NHS, 2023a). Treatments can help to improve joint function and relieve pain.

The exact cause is not known, but things that increase your risk include getting older, a previous joint injury, a family history of osteoarthritis, being a woman, and other joint conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis or gout (NHS, 2023a). Some other conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, can cause similar symptoms – for example, joint stiffness that lasts a long time in the morning can be a sign of rheumatoid arthritis – so it is important to see your family doctor or nurse practitioner to confirm the diagnosis (NHS, 2023a).

Hand Osteoarthritis Anatomy

The anatomy of the hand is complex, with lots of small bones, joints and ligaments. Hands are essential for everyday activities, and they can be affected by any number of disorders, often by degenerative conditions as we get older.

Multiple small joints work together to allow movement in the hand. This gives you the fine movement needed for threading a needle or tying a shoelace. When your joints are affected by osteoarthritis, everyday activities can become difficult. The condition can occur in several areas of the hand.

In osteoarthritis, bony growths can develop around the joint, and the joint can become stiff, swollen and tender (NHS, 2023a).

Not a diagnosis — for more information, contact me or another trusted healthcare provider.

Treatment

Self-Care & Treatment

How to Treat Hand Osteoarthritis

I can help with hands-on treatment, an exercise programme for your hands, and advice on protecting your joints and making everyday tasks easier. See the My Approach tab for how I work.

1. Exercise

Exercise is one of the most important treatments for osteoarthritis, whatever your age or level of fitness (NHS, 2023b), and NICE recommends therapeutic exercise as a core treatment (NICE, 2022). Your family doctor, nurse practitioner or a physiotherapist can give you an exercise plan to follow at home (NHS, 2023b). I can also set you up with a home exercise plan for your hands.

2. Medication

The NHS says that anti-inflammatory painkiller creams and gels (topical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs) can be particularly effective for osteoarthritis in the hands, and that some are available without a prescription (NHS, 2023b). (This medicine information comes from the NHS, not from me. Always check with a pharmacist or your family doctor or nurse practitioner before taking any medicine.) Medicines can help to ease symptoms, but they cannot reverse damage to the joints or restore cartilage. You should discuss what options are available to you with your doctor.

3. Heat or Cold

Applying hot or cold packs to the joints can relieve pain in some people with osteoarthritis (NHS, 2023b). A hot water bottle, filled with either hot or cold water, can be used (NHS, 2023b).

4. Help With Everyday Tasks

If your hands are affected, devices such as tap turners can make everyday tasks easier, and an occupational therapist can give you advice about using aids at home or at work (NHS, 2023b). I can also suggest simple ways to protect your joints during everyday tasks.

Treatments you may want to discuss with your family doctor or nurse practitioner

Options outside my scope

Prescription painkillers: if creams and gels are not helping, your family doctor or nurse practitioner may discuss anti-inflammatory tablets or other prescription painkillers, which are not suitable for everyone (NHS, 2023b).
Capsaicin cream: a prescription cream, made from chillies, that may be used for osteoarthritis in the hands if anti-inflammatory creams have not helped (NHS, 2023b).
Steroid injections: an injection into the affected joint, sometimes offered when other treatments have not worked, which gives short-term relief (NHS, 2023b; NICE, 2022).
Surgery: in a small number of cases, where other treatments have not helped, surgery such as joint fusion or joint replacement may be considered (NHS, 2023b).

How I can help (see the My Approach tab)

Hands-on work and gentle joint mobilisation for stiff, sore hands
A home exercise programme for movement, grip and strength
Advice on protecting your joints during everyday tasks

Tips

The risk of osteoarthritis increases with age (NHS, 2023a).
Women are more likely to develop the condition than men (NHS, 2023a).
A previous joint injury, such as a broken finger or wrist, can increase the risk of osteoarthritis in that joint (NHS, 2023a).
Glucosamine and chondroitin supplements are no longer prescribed on the NHS because there is no strong evidence that they work (NHS, 2023b).

Treatment

My Approach

Hand osteoarthritis is a long-term condition, so I treat it as ongoing care rather than a quick fix. My aim is to ease pain and stiffness, keep the small joints of your hands moving, and build strength and control so everyday tasks get easier.

I start by assessing how your fingers, thumb and wrist move, which joints are stiff, swollen or tender, your grip and pinch strength, and the muscles of your forearm. I also ask about the tasks you find hard, such as opening jars, writing or doing up buttons, so we can work on what matters to you.

When It's Flared

Keeping everything gentle: very light joint movements to ease pain, and pain-free movement of the fingers and thumb
Soothing hands-on work for the hand and forearm, keeping pressure off hot, swollen joints
Cool applications in the clinic for a swollen joint, and I'll show you how to use ice safely at home
Light, pain-free holds rather than resisted exercise, and moving your hands in warm water at home

As It Settles

Warm applications to loosen stiff joints, then hands-on work for the muscles of the hand and forearm
Gentle joint mobilisation within the joint's normal range, including small glides while you move your fingers or thumb
Self-stretches for the wrist, fingers and thumb web, supporting the joint as you go
Grip and strength work with putty, bands or a soft ball, building to light wrist curls
Practising real tasks such as buttons, jar lids, writing and typing
A home programme to do between visits

Protecting Your Joints

Balancing activity with rest, and using bigger joints and built-up or soft-grip handles where you can
Avoiding wringing and long spells in one tight grip
If pain lasts more than an hour after an activity, scaling it back next time

I'm careful with pressure where there are bony growths around a joint. If you notice stiffness that lasts a long time in the morning, see your family doctor or nurse practitioner, as it can be a sign of a different type of arthritis.

What to Expect

Typical Course

Typical course: Most people come once or twice a week at first, then weekly, with a reassessment at about 4 to 6 weeks, then every few weeks to keep on top of it. Expect less pain and stiffness after about 6 to 12 weeks of regular exercise; keeping the exercises going is what holds those gains.

What I Focus On

Gentle Joint Mobility

Hand & Forearm Release

Grip & Dexterity

Joint Protection

Home Exercise

Sources

References

NHS (2023a) Osteoarthritis. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/osteoarthritis/ (Accessed: 7 October 2026).
NHS (2023b) Osteoarthritis – treatment and support. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/osteoarthritis/treatment/ (Accessed: 7 October 2026).
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (2022) Osteoarthritis in over 16s: diagnosis and management (NICE guideline NG226) – Recommendations. Available at: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng226/chapter/Recommendations (Accessed: 7 October 2026).

Massage therapy · Kitchener–WaterlooHand Osteoarthritis

What It Is

Hand Osteoarthritis Anatomy

Self-Care & Treatment

How to Treat Hand Osteoarthritis

1. Exercise

2. Medication

3. Heat or Cold

4. Help With Everyday Tasks

Treatments you may want to discuss with your family doctor or nurse practitioner

Tips

My Approach

When It's Flared

As It Settles

Protecting Your Joints

Typical Course

References

Related Conditions

Book a session

Massage therapy · Kitchener–WaterlooHand Osteoarthritis

What It Is

Hand Osteoarthritis Anatomy

Self-Care & Treatment

How to Treat Hand Osteoarthritis

1. Exercise

2. Medication

3. Heat or Cold

4. Help With Everyday Tasks

Treatments you may want to discuss with your family doctor or nurse practitioner

Tips

My Approach

When It's Flared

As It Settles

Protecting Your Joints

Typical Course

References

Related Conditions

Thumb Osteoarthritis

Trigger Finger

Wrist Osteoarthritis

Bowler's Thumb

Book a session