Hand, Wrist and Thumb Arthritis

What is arthritis?

Arthritis literally means “inflamed joint,” and generally refers to any damage to the joints of the body. There are 36 joints in the hand and wrist, and several sites that are commonly affected by arthritis. At Novant Health, we understand how painful, stiff or swollen hands can disrupt your daily routines, work and hobbies. Our orthopedic hand and wrist surgeons are here to help identify the cause of your symptoms and guide you toward relief.

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Your hand and wrist contain bones, arteries and tendons that can be impacted by overuse or injury.

Anatomy of the hand and wrist

Your hands and wrists contain multiple small joints supported by cartilage, ligaments and tendons. Osteoarthritis causes gradual wear and breakdown of cartilage over time, while rheumatoid arthritis involves inflammation that damages the joint lining. Conditions such as SLAC wrist or thumb carpometacarpal (CMC) arthritis affect specific joints, often leading to pain with use, swelling and changes in joint shape.

Overview

Symptoms

Symptoms vary by type but often include:

Aching joint pain, worse with use or in the morning
Swelling, warmth and stiffness in fingers, thumb base or wrist
Joint changes like “hard bumps” at finger joints or crooked fingers
Reduced grip strength, range of motion or pinching ability
Numbness or weakness, if nerves are affected

Symptoms may come and go or worsen over time if untreated.

Causes

Most hand arthritis cases involve a mix of factors:

Genetic predisposition, with severe cases often running in families
Repetitive heavy manual activities or “wear and tear”
Autoimmune processes in rheumatoid arthritis attacking joint tissues
Prior injuries leading to post-traumatic changes like SLAC wrist
Inflammatory conditions such as gout or psoriatic arthritis

Even when there isn’t a single clear cause, early diagnosis can help guide the most effective care.

Diagnosis

Your hand and wrist specialist will review symptoms, history and activities, then perform:

A hands-on exam of sensation, strength, swelling and mobility
X-rays to detect bone spurs, cysts, joint narrowing or deformity
Additional tests if inflammatory arthritis or infection is suspected

We’ll explain results clearly, so you feel informed and supported.

Why treatment matters

Treatment for hand, wrist and thumb arthritis starts with nonoperative care tailored to your specific diagnosis, lifestyle and goals. Common strategies include activity modification to avoid painful motions, anti-inflammatory or other arthritis medications, splinting or bracing to support the joint and steroid injections to calm inflammation and provide temporary pain relief.

If pain continues or arthritis has significantly damaged the joint, surgical options may help reduce pain and improve function. Depending on the joint and arthritis type, your surgeon may recommend cleaning out irritated tissue with minimally invasive arthroscopy, selectively interrupting painful nerve signals, fusing or partially removing arthritic wrist bones, or reconstructing joints such as the thumb CMC to restore more comfortable motion and alignment.

Take the next step

Our board-certified specialists are here to help you heal. They can often diagnose the problem in one visit and get you started with a personalized treatment plan. We offer a wide variety of treatment options.