What Is Arthritis in the Hands? Symptoms, Types, and Treatment

Oct 15

9 min read

Updated: 2 days ago

Medically reviewed by Dr. Baraa Alnahhal, MD · Last reviewed: October 2026

Quick Answer: What is arthritis in the hands?

Hand arthritis is any type of arthritis that affects the joints in the hands, fingers or thumbs, damaging the cartilage that cushions them and causing pain, stiffness and swelling with use. Treatment usually starts with nonsurgical options such as pain relief medicine, splints and therapy, and most people manage their symptoms well without surgery. [1]

Key takeaways

Hand arthritis damages the cartilage that cushions the joints in your hands, fingers, and thumbs. [1]
The five most common types are osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, gout, and post-traumatic arthritis.
Symptoms include pain, stiffness, swelling, warmth, and grinding or popping in the joints. [1]
Most people manage hand arthritis with nonsurgical treatment: medication, splints, and physical or occupational therapy. [1]
Surgery (joint fusion or joint replacement) is reserved for cases where other treatments do not help. [1]

What the research says

Many treatments for hand osteoarthritis help, but the evidence for most is still limited. A 2024 update of a systematic review (65 new studies added to an earlier review of 126) found low-certainty evidence that hand exercises give a small long-term pain benefit and thumb splints (orthoses) a moderate long-term pain benefit. It found moderate-certainty evidence that assistive devices improve function over the long term, and high-certainty evidence that topical NSAIDs give a small short-term function benefit. The authors noted a lack of treatments that effectively improve grip strength. (Kjeken et al., RMD Open, 2025) [4]
A thumb splint can help whether it is worn by day or at night. In a randomized trial of 60 people with thumb-base (trapeziometacarpal) osteoarthritis, those who wore a custom thumb orthosis during daily activities and those who wore it at night both improved in pain and function. There was no significant difference in thumb-base pain between the groups over time, and no reported differences after 1 year of follow-up. (Silva et al., Arch Phys Med Rehabil, 2024) [5]
Metabolic health may matter for hand joints too. A meta-analysis of case-control and cohort studies found that dyslipidemia was associated with hand osteoarthritis (pooled odds ratio 1.40, 95% CI 1.19-1.66), with higher triglycerides standing out. Evidence for LDL and HDL cholesterol was less clear, and the authors called for more research. (Hsueh & Chen, Clin Rheumatol, 2025) [6]

What Is Arthritis in the Hands?

Illustration of a person at a kitchen table holding a sore hand, with a warm red-orange glow around the knuckles showing joint pain, visualizing arthritis in the hands – rinnit.com — Hand arthritis wears away the cartilage that cushions the joints in your hands and fingers.

Hand arthritis is any type of arthritis that affects the joints in your hands, fingers, or thumbs. It damages the cartilage, the tissue that naturally cushions your joints, and other joint tissue. [1]

Once that cartilage wears down, your bones can rub together. This is what causes symptoms like pain, swelling, and stiffness. As arthritis gets worse, you might not be able to use your hands as well as you used to, and everyday tasks can become harder. [1]

Many people think arthritis is simply an inevitable part of aging. That can be true. But hand pain and stiffness is not something you have to live with. A healthcare provider can help you understand what is causing your symptoms and which treatments will help manage them. [1]

What Types of Arthritis Affect the Hands?

Arthritis has more than 100 different types, and a few of them are the ones most commonly seen in the hands. The types most commonly seen in the hands are:

Type of Hand Arthritis	How It Develops
Osteoarthritis	Happens naturally with age. A lifetime of using your hands and fingers wears down the cartilage cushioning.
Rheumatoid arthritis	An autoimmune condition: the immune system damages the joints by mistake.
Psoriatic arthritis	Develops alongside psoriasis, a skin condition, with inflammation in and around the joints.
Gout	Caused by too much uric acid in the blood.
Post-traumatic arthritis	Follows a serious injury that damages the joints in the hands.

What Are the Symptoms of Hand Arthritis?

Hand arthritis symptoms vary by type, as osteoarthritis usually flares with use or in the evening, while inflammatory arthritis is typically worse in the morning and improves with use. [1]

Symptom	What It Feels Like
Joint pain	Constant, dull ache in the joints; some people feel sudden, sharp, or stabbing pain
Stiffness	Harder to move or use the hands, especially at certain times of day
Trouble moving	Difficulty bending your fingers and thumbs
Swelling	Puffiness around the affected joints
Visible joint changes	Joints that look noticeably different from others
Redness or discoloration	Changes in the skin over the joints
Warmth	A feeling of heat around the joint
Grinding or clicking	Feeling or hearing grinding, clicking, or popping in the joints

Everyone experiences pain differently, and symptoms depend on the type of arthritis. Osteoarthritis usually causes symptoms with use or in the evening. Inflammatory arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis, typically causes symptoms that are worse in the morning but improve with use. Certain foods and drinks can trigger gout flares, and stress can trigger flares of psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis. [1]

Infographic of eight hand-arthritis symptom icons: joint pain, stiffness, trouble bending fingers and thumbs, swelling, visibly changed joints, warmth, grinding or clicking, and skin redness – rinnit.com — Common symptoms of hand arthritis at a glance.

What Causes Arthritis in the Hands?

The cause depends on which type of arthritis you have. Osteoarthritis happens naturally as you age, with a lifetime of hand use wearing down the cartilage. Rheumatoid arthritis occurs when the immune system damages the joints by mistake. Psoriatic arthritis develops when you have psoriasis on your skin along with inflammation in and around the joints. Gout is caused by too much uric acid in the blood, and post-traumatic arthritis follows a serious injury to the hand joints. [1]

Anyone can develop hand arthritis, but certain factors raise the risk:

Risk Factor	Detail
Age over 50	Risk increases with age
Being female	Women are more likely to develop hand arthritis
Obesity or overweight	Extra body weight adds strain
Autoimmune disease	Conditions like psoriasis raise the odds
Tobacco use or smoking	Smoking increases risk
Family history	Biological relatives with arthritis raise your risk

How Is Arthritis in the Hands Diagnosed?

A healthcare provider diagnoses hand arthritis with a physical exam and a hand X-ray. The X-ray shows lost cartilage or changes in your bones. [1]

Tell your provider when you first noticed pain and stiffness, and whether certain activities or times of day make symptoms worse. This information helps pinpoint the type. You might also need blood tests. For example, your provider may check for rheumatoid factor to help diagnose rheumatoid arthritis, or check for high uric acid levels if gout is suspected. [1]

How Do You Treat Arthritis in Your Hands?

Arthritis in the hands is usually treated first with nonsurgical treatments, and surgery is suggested only when those do not help or severe symptoms persist. [1]

Treatment	How It Helps
Over-the-counter pain relievers	NSAIDs (anti-inflammatory medicines) or acetaminophen reduce pain and inflammation.
Splint or brace	Supports the affected joints and keeps them in proper alignment.
Corticosteroids	Prescription anti-inflammatory medicine, including cortisone shots.
Physical therapy	Improves strength, range of motion, and confidence while moving and using your hands.
Occupational therapy	Helps you use assistive devices, if needed, for everyday tasks.
DMARDs	Disease-modifying medicines for rheumatoid or psoriatic arthritis.
Prescription gout medicines	Medications such as allopurinol and colchicine help manage gout and reduce flares.

When Is Surgery Needed?

Surgery is usually only suggested when nonsurgical treatments do not help or severe symptoms persist. The most common types are:

Surgery Type	What It Does
Joint fusion (arthrodesis)	Permanently joins two bones into one, which can relieve pain and increase stability in severe arthritis.
Joint replacement (arthroplasty)	Replaces all or part of a joint; worn-out bone and cartilage are replaced with a prosthetic implant.

Your provider or surgeon will tell you which surgery is best for you and give you a recovery timeline customized to your needs.

Four nonsurgical treatment options for hand arthritis: wearing a splint or brace, physical therapy hand exercises, occupational therapy with an assistive device, and prescription medication – rinnit.com — Nonsurgical treatment options for hand arthritis.

When Should I See a Healthcare Provider?

See a healthcare provider about hand arthritis if you have severe pain lasting more than a week, worsening stiffness or more frequent flare-ups. [1]

Severe pain, especially if it lasts for more than a week. [1]
Stiffness that is getting worse, especially if you suddenly cannot move or use your hands or fingers normally. [1]
Worsening or more frequent flare-ups of your usual symptoms. [1]

What Can I Expect with Hand Arthritis?

People with hand arthritis can expect a condition that has no cure, since no cure exists for arthritis. But a healthcare provider can help you find treatments that manage your symptoms and how often they affect you. Some people experience more severe symptoms as they age. Ask your provider how often you should have follow-up visits to check for changes in your joints. [1]

Can I Prevent Arthritis in My Hands?

Hand arthritis cannot always be prevented, because some types happen naturally or result from conditions you cannot control. But you can lower your chances by:

Avoiding tobacco products. [1]
Eating plenty of nutritious food. [1]
Staying physically active with low-impact exercise. [1]
Always wearing proper protective equipment for activities that could damage your hands. [1]

Conclusion: Hand Pain Is Manageable. You Don't Have to Live With It

Arthritis in the hands is one of the most common reasons adults struggle with everyday tasks like gripping, lifting, and writing. It happens when the cartilage that cushions the hand joints wears away or becomes inflamed, and the five most common types each have their own pattern: osteoarthritis aches after use, rheumatoid arthritis stiffens in the morning, and gout flares after certain foods.

The encouraging news is that most people manage hand arthritis well without surgery. Over-the-counter pain relief, splints, cortisone injections, physical therapy, and occupational therapy give most people real, lasting relief, and surgery remains an option only when those measures fall short. If your hands are not working the way they used to, that is the signal to act.

Ready to take the first step? If hand pain, stiffness, or swelling lasts more than a week, talk with a healthcare provider about diagnosis and a treatment plan. For more clear, verified health information, explore the rest of Rinnit.com, starting with our guides on arthritis and physical therapy.

Want to share this information visually? Rinnit.com's health infographic templates make it easy to turn articles like this one into shareable visuals for your website, newsletter, or social channels.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is arthritis in the hands?

Hand arthritis is any type of arthritis that affects the joints in the hands, fingers, or thumbs. It damages the cartilage that cushions the joints, which can cause pain, swelling, and stiffness when you use your hands. [1]

What does hand arthritis feel like?

The most common symptoms are joint pain (a constant dull ache, sometimes sudden and sharp), stiffness, trouble bending your fingers and thumbs, swelling, joints that look different, warmth, redness, and grinding, clicking, or popping in the joints. [1]

What is the most common type of arthritis in the hands?

Osteoarthritis is one of the most common types. It happens naturally with age as a lifetime of hand use wears down the cartilage cushioning the joints. Rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, gout, and post-traumatic arthritis also commonly affect the hands.

Does hand arthritis hurt more in the morning or at night?

It depends on the type. Osteoarthritis usually hurts more with use or in the evening. Inflammatory arthritis, like rheumatoid arthritis, is typically worse in the morning and improves with use. [1]

Who is most at risk for hand arthritis?

You are more likely to develop hand arthritis if you are over 50, female, have obesity or overweight, have an autoimmune disease, use tobacco or smoke, or have biological relatives with arthritis.

How is hand arthritis diagnosed?

A healthcare provider diagnoses it with a physical exam and a hand X-ray, which shows lost cartilage or bone changes. Blood tests may also be used, for example checking for rheumatoid factor (rheumatoid arthritis) or high uric acid (gout). [1]

Can hand arthritis be treated without surgery?

Yes. Most people manage symptoms with nonsurgical treatment: over-the-counter pain relievers, splints or braces, corticosteroids or cortisone shots, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and disease-specific medications. [1]

Is there a cure for arthritis in the hands?

No, there is no cure for arthritis. But treatment helps most people manage their symptoms and how often they occur, and many live comfortably with the condition. [1]

When should I see a doctor about my hands?

See a provider if you have severe pain lasting more than a week, worsening stiffness (especially a sudden inability to move or use your hands normally), or flare-ups that are worse or more frequent than usual. [1]

References

Cleveland Clinic. Arthritis in Hands. Cleveland Clinic Health Library. Last updated March 25, 2026. Accessed October 15, 2026. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/arthritis-in-hands
Cleveland Clinic. Osteoarthritis. Cleveland Clinic Health Library. Last updated July 15, 2026. Accessed October 15, 2026. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/5599-osteoarthritis
Cleveland Clinic. Rheumatoid Arthritis. Cleveland Clinic Health Library. Last updated November 6, 2024. Accessed October 15, 2026. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/4924-rheumatoid-arthritis
Kjeken I, Bordvik DH, Osteras N, et al. Efficacy and safety of non-pharmacological, pharmacological and surgical treatments for hand osteoarthritis in 2024: a systematic review. RMD Open. 2025;11(1). PMID: 39793978. https://doi.org/10.1136/rmdopen-2024-004963
Silva FC, da Silva RVT, Meireles SM, et al. Daytime functional usage versus night-time wearing: identifying the optimal wearing regimen for a custom-made orthosis in the treatment of trapeziometacarpal osteoarthritis. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2024;105(10):1837-1845. PMID: 38971487. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apmr.2024.06.013
Hsueh TY, Chen YP. The association between dyslipidemia and hand osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Clin Rheumatol. 2025;44(4):1439-1448. PMID: 40047991. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10067-025-07384-1

Medical disclaimer

The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.