Forum Topic

Arthritis in the hands...any hope of improvement?

My dear friend..age 80..has rapidly over the past 3 years developed a distorted left hand with 3 painful fingers..and two swollen knuckles. She has difficulty, for example, picking a smartie off the plate.We exercise her hands every day hoping that things will get better for her. Can they ever?She has been referred to the West Middx Clinic. Any advice for us carers?

Jim Lawes ● 2357d24 Comments

Jim I have arthritis, and see a rheumatologist and nurse at West Middlesex hospital.  Your friend will be very well looked after there; in the meantime it sounds as if she’s doing the right thing by trying to exercise.  Flare-ups come and go, so I hope she soon feels some relief.

Julian Worricker ● 2357d

Thank you Julian. That's reassuring. In addition to hand,finger and arm exercises...is placing hands in a bowl of water for say 15 minutes helpful...and at what water temperature?Wishing you comfort and relief too.

Jim Lawes ● 2357d

There’s no hard and fast rule here.  The charity, Versus Arthritis, has some useful information available on its website.

Julian Worricker ● 2357d

I too attend West Middx Rheumatology Dept & they look after me very well. I find that warmth does help aching joints.

Linda Bright ● 2357d

You might want to try Rhus Tox Ointment. It's available from Nelsons the homeopathic chemist. It used to be available in tubes but they will make it up especially in small tubs. It's based on Nettles and has helped quite a few people. It's inexpensive and wouldn't interfere with any other medication as applied locally.

Katrina Black ● 2357d

I'm delighted with the responses... most helpful. Thank you Katrina, Linda and Julian.It's sad to watch the sufferer looking at their hands with dispair. Oh to be able to  wave a magic wand.

Jim Lawes ● 2356d

Depends on what form of arthritis. Some are age-related and others are auto-immune related. Diagnosis is the first step before treatment can be proposed.

Jeffrey Cope ● 2356d

My old Dad used to have osteoarthritis and was often in terrible pain.He sometimes used comfrey oil for relief.Comfrey is called knitbone where I am from and is an age old remedy for sprains,bone pain etc.You might read about the precautions and things you may need to know before using it if you decide to do so.Good luck.

Keith Iddon ● 2356d

Comfrey cream -see last post- is available from Nature's Best online. Rhus Tox  ointment works better for me and is gentler on the skin.

Katrina Black ● 2356d

My father swore by Boswelia cream or balm. It was quite pricey as I recall but he saw it as worth every penny.

Stewart Jones ● 2356d

I developed rheumatoid arthritis after holding the dogs leads wrapped round my fist when suddenly pulled off my feet. Fortunately the only real effects are both index fingers are stiff and there is developing a soreness in my thumbs at the base of my hands. Yes, exercise is good, say tennis balls to squeeze as well as "air piano" :) Mine has been controlled by methotrexate, but obviously "arthritis" has many forms so doctors advice and sense to ensure fingers etc are kept as flexible as possible. Once you know which form of arthritis it is, then you can work on ways to minimise its effects. As for being unable to pick up smarties, that really is a problem :) so perhaps a straw? Either that or scoop them all up in one go :)

Kevin Regan ● 2356d

I have Osteoporosis but it was originally diagnosed as Rheumatoid Arthritis.  My index fingers are twisting and my middle fingers are joining them.  My mother also had this so I know what I am in for.  First you need a proper diagnosis.  If it is Osteo Arthritis it is ware and tear due to age.  Anything else is your immune system.  In the mean time here are some things to try.  Wrist splints available on line and most good chemists.  These put the hand in it's correct postilion for circulation and nerves,  If it is just OA this should help very quickly.  Hot water is great for exercising your hands in.  Vitamin D helps your immune system and a calcium supplement should help with bone strength.  Splints should be worn in bed and when relaxing in the evening.  I have my own personal go to.  When the joint is painful I splint it with surgical tape until the pain goes.  It works for me really well and lowers my painkiller intake which is always a good thing.  Using adapted kitchen ware is good too.  Jar and bottle openers are essential.  You can get the joints replaced and it sounds as if she is the right age group for it. But first get her diagnosed properly.  I was incorrectly diagnosed and it wrecked my health because they gave me Methotrexate to lower my immune system.  Methotrexate is a chemotherapy drug if incorrectly given it can make your immune system go a bit nuts.  I hope she feels better soon I know the pain is horrendous and quite soul destroying sometimes and I find when I have over used my hands it is worse so a little and often.

Caroline Carney ● 2356d

It sounds like inflammation associated with osteoarthritis so the best thing is to get the acute inflammation down first, then maintain mobility. Using a gel such as Biofreeze (£10 on Amazon), 3-4x/day, then basic mobility exercises, combined with massage to the forearm up by the elbow will help.

David Powers ● 2356d

Thank you all for your helpful and reassuring responses. The lady concerned is so pleased to be doing daily exercises with a better informed me..rubbing the arms and wrist, playing "air piano", in a bowl of warm water too...and carefully rubbing her fingers and knuckles.I will investigate all your suggestions and look forward to a fuller phone discussion next time with the West Middx Doctor. Thank you all again.

Jim Lawes ● 2356d

Six months on...thank goodness the 80 year old lady does't suffer PAIN in her hands except when certain fingers are exercised. Nor does she experience "flare ups" of pain.Her left hand looks deformed like VIRGIN DISEASE illustrations whilst her right hand seems to have improved following the regular exercises and using the RHUS TOX cream from Nelsons ...as recommended by Katrina.(It's very pleasant to use.)Unfortunately the appointment at West middlesex Hosp due to take place in early December has been cancelled and put back 6 months.Today's question is: do the various creams recommended above...and those advertised in the National Press..just endeavour to reduce pain (from which my Lady doesn't suffer)..or do some penatrate the flesh and attack the disease?All responses gratefully welcome.

Jim Lawes ● 2163d

Jim I think the posters above have given you a wide range of advice.The only Cream that been around for years and now can be purchased over the counter is Movelat.It’s for local relief of pain and inflammation caused by rheumatic and muscular pain, stiffness, sprains, strains, and mild arithmetic conditions.My mother was diagnosed with arthritis at 28 and had replacement hip joint, both knees replaced, which needed replacing again as they were worn out, she use that cream which did help with her condition and kept her mobile and at work,

Bernard Allen ● 2163d

Instead of carrying bowls of water around which isn’t good if you can’t grip, try a wheatie bag. Just pop it in the microwave for 2 minutes and it’s so helpful. You can place it anywhere you have pain with no fear of accidents.They can be bought easily on line or chemist. I have lavender in mine.

Maureen Yakoubi ● 2163d

It’s sad when anyone has to suffer this dreadful problem, but through experience, a Mediterranean diet over a number of years helped my elderly mum to almost eradicate her arthritis. As I’m sure, most people here know what the Mediterranean diet is.

c james ● 2163d

As c james says, an anti-inflammatory diet might help, though it'll take a long time. Cod Liver Oil tablets might help reduce inflammation. I take them daily.

Susan Kelly ● 2163d

Susan Kelly, yes, anything fish oil based supplementation helps, and my mum cut out 99% of dairy, and wheat based products and all hell got better. My mum’s in her mid 80’s and is fitter than me at 60.

c james ● 2163d

My friend swears by Glucosamine tablets they are a supplement and helps joint movement, as this person is elderly check with her doctor if they would be suitable for her, or Glucosamine joint jel.

Janice Evans ● 2163d

In response to Jim Lawes post on 25/11 @ 23.01.I don't speak from any medical knowledge, only personal experience and experience gained from others over the years. On that basis I would say creams used on the skin will ease but not cure the symptoms. It may help to apply Arnica massage gel after a bath or shower, when the skin on the arm is warm and this should ease the strain on the connective tissues, which must be under strain from the distortion on the hand. To understand where to apply the massage gel just keep your own hand in the distorted position for a while. Weleda do a good one - Arnica Massage gel available from most good chemists or health food shops.Most arthritic conditions are linked to an inflammatory response and many people find some relief from restricting their diet. Tomatoes, citrus fruit, strawberries are all well known triggers and others can be found using blood tests or by an exclusion diet. (That means keeping suspect foods out of the diet for 6wks.) Sadly most foods that we have an intolerance of, are often the foods we enjoy most! At that age I'd say enjoy what you like and want as long as it doesn't cause you or anyone else pain.I hope your friend manages to see a doctor before too long. So many of us are in that same position.

Katrina Black ● 2163d

My sister takes a tablespoon of cod liver oil mixed with orange juice morning and evening.  The arthritis in her hands has gone and she is able to play the cello again.

Hannah Elder ● 2162d

My mum, now long gone, took cider vinegar with honey every morning to help the pain from knarled distorted fingers and thumb joints.  She said it helped.

Jennifer Selig ● 2162d