{"id":9353,"date":"2026-09-28T11:56:17","date_gmt":"2026-09-28T09:56:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.clinicaplanas.com\/blog\/?p=9353"},"modified":"2026-09-28T11:56:17","modified_gmt":"2026-09-28T09:56:17","slug":"osteoarthritis-in-the-hands-what-it-is-causes-and-treatment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.clinicaplanas.com\/blog\/en\/2026\/09\/28\/osteoarthritis-in-the-hands-what-it-is-causes-and-treatment\/","title":{"rendered":"Osteoarthritis in the Hands: What It Is, Causes and Treatment"},"content":{"rendered":"

What is osteoarthritis?<\/h2>\n

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative and progressive disease of the articular cartilage<\/strong>. This means that, over time, the cartilage gradually wears away<\/strong>. As it is a progressive condition, there is no definitive cure that can completely reverse it. However, treatments can help slow its progression and relieve symptoms<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Osteoarthritis can be classified into four grades:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Grade 1 (very mild)<\/li>\n
  2. Grade 2 (mild)<\/li>\n
  3. Grade 3 (moderate)<\/li>\n
  4. Grade 4 (severe)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Why can osteoarthritis develop in the hands?<\/h2>\n

    Osteoarthritis can affect any joint in the body<\/strong>. Its development depends on multiple factors, such as:<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. genetics<\/li>\n
    2. environment<\/li>\n
    3. type of work.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Although it is more common in weight-bearing joints such as the hip or knee \u2014 which support body weight \u2014 it can also develop in the hands. In this case, it is often associated with repetitive habits or jobs involving constant movements or vibrations<\/strong>, such as the use of tools (for example, pneumatic drills) or prolonged use of a computer mouse.<\/p>\n

      In general, any repetitive activity carried out over many years can contribute to the development of osteoarthritis in the hands<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

      Symptoms of osteoarthritis in the hands<\/h2>\n

      Joint stiffness<\/h3>\n

      One of the first symptoms is stiffness in the joints, particularly in the morning. When you begin moving your fingers, you may experience a sensation of swelling or difficulty performing certain movements. This is often how the condition begins, while it is still at an early stage.<\/p>\n

      Pain<\/h3>\n

      In the early stages, pain may decrease after moving the hand for a while. However, as the condition progresses, the pain becomes more constant and may occur throughout the day, particularly when exerting force or performing strenuous movements with the hands.<\/p>\n

      Causes and origins of osteoarthritis<\/h2>\n

      Osteoarthritis has a multifactorial origin. In other words, different factors are involved, including genetics, environment, lifestyle habits and type of work.<\/p>\n

      For example, smoking can negatively affect the blood supply to cartilage, increasing the risk of developing the condition. Inflammatory or rheumatic diseases can also play a role.<\/p>\n

      There are two main types of osteoarthritis:<\/p>\n

        \n
      1. Primary osteoarthritis: develops spontaneously, without a directly identifiable cause.<\/li>\n
      2. Secondary osteoarthritis: develops as a consequence of other problems, such as inflammatory diseases, trauma or fractures affecting the joint.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        Both forms can lead to progressive deterioration of the joints.<\/p>\n\"Solicita<\/picture><\/a>\n

        Treatments for osteoarthritis in the hands<\/h2>\n

        Although there is no definitive cure for osteoarthritis, there are different treatment options aimed at relieving symptoms and slowing its progression<\/strong>. The main goals of treatment are to:<\/p>\n

          \n
        1. improve the patient’s quality of life<\/li>\n
        2. reduce pain<\/li>\n
        3. maintain the function of the hands and other affected joints.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

          Osteoarthritis is a degenerative and progressive condition characterised by the deterioration of cartilage, a tissue that acts as a cushion within the joints. This tissue covers the bones, reduces impact and prevents them from rubbing against each other. However, because cartilage has a very limited blood supply, its ability to regenerate is limited<\/strong>. For this reason, although regenerative medicine continues to advance, a definitive solution for restoring cartilage has not yet been achieved.<\/p>\n

          Current treatments vary depending on the degree of deterioration, the individual patient and the affected joint. It is important to distinguish between weight-bearing joints \u2014 such as the hip, knee or ankle \u2014 and non-weight-bearing joints, such as the shoulder, elbow or wrist.<\/p>\n

          Regenerative Therapies<\/a><\/span><\/h2>\n

          Bioregenerative cell therapies involve extracting cells from the patient’s own body and injecting them into the affected joint. Although they may have an anti-inflammatory effect, current evidence does not demonstrate actual cartilage regeneration, so their use is reserved for selected cases.<\/p>\n