Do you experience achy, painful and swollen joints in your fingers or thumbs? Have you noticed limitations in your ability to use your hands for everyday activities such as opening your water bottle or tying your shoes? If you answered yes to either of these questions, you may be experiencing symptoms of arthritis.

There are two main types of arthritis: rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. When either type of arthritis begins causing problems in the hands or fingers, seeking hand therapy from an occupational therapist (OT) can be an important part of learning how to control pain and preserve hand function in order to complete your normal daily activities. While both types of arthritis manifest some similar symptoms, there are some important differences.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder in which a person’s immune system attacks his or her own body tissues, resulting in swollen, painful and sometimes deformed joints (Mayo Clinic, 2019). Pain and inflammation from rheumatoid arthritis typically occurs all over the body, with problems in many or all of the joints. If it is untreated, rheumatoid inflammation can lead to disfigured or even collapsed joints and can impair normal daily activities. When rheumatoid arthritis is diagnosed early, medical treatments can greatly decrease pain and can slow or even prevent the disfiguring of joints. OT hand therapy is often a vital part of treatment if rheumatoid arthritis is within your hands. OT treatments can reduce chronic hand pain with specific training for strategies to use in daily life that will preserve joint functioning long term.

Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis. It is a degenerative joint disease where changes in joint tissue cause the smooth ends of bone surfaces to wear down at the joint (The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, 2019). Symptoms of osteoarthritis may include pain, stiffness and/or swelling in a joint, but it typically affects individual joints, rather than causing flare ups all over the body. Some think osteoarthritis mainly affects the larger joints of the body (hips, knees, neck, back, etc.), but when it occurs in the smaller joints like hands, fingers and thumbs it can complicate daily life.

Once-simple tasks like twisting the handle on a can opener, or the precise pinch needed for wiggling a shirt button into place can cause intense pain. In the fingers in particular, osteoarthritis can lead to bony joint changes and cause joint “nodes” or deformities. If you have osteoarthritis in your hands, OT hand therapy can help by providing evidence-based interventions to decrease hand pain and to protect your joints from deformities. OT treatments may include therapeutic exercises, pain-reducing procedures, or customized splinting to protect inflamed joints. OT can also train you on ways to modify daily activities to decrease joint strain and other strategies for managing pain.

Elynn Schriber, MOTR/L specializes in Hand Therapy right here in Moab, UT. She is an Occupational Therapist who provides hand therapy services at the Precision Rehabilitation clinic located at 1030 Bowling Alley Lane (Suite 3). In addition to treating patients with arthritis, she is trained in treating many other common conditions and injuries of the hand and elbow. Ask your doctor for a referral for hand therapy to begin treatment today.

Sources:
Mayo Clinic Staff. “Arthritis.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 19 July 2019. www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/arthritis/

The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. “Osteoarthritis.” National Institutes of
Health. Oct. 2019. www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/osteoarthritis.

Regularly seeing the same Primary Care Provider throughout your life provides numerous benefits. Scheduling and attending your annual appointments can help to cultivate a healthy provider/patient relationship. When the relationship with your Primary Care Provider is strong, they’ll have access to your full health history and know how to advocate for you and your health. They’ll also have your family’s health history and understand the health risks unique to you.

Annual appointments are important throughout your entire life. When you schedule your annual appointment, there’s a physical exam involved as well as preventative services such as screenings for high blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol.

Young children are seen more frequently. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the following schedule from birth to age three. Keep in mind that your Primary Care Provider may choose a slightly different approach, depending on your child’s specific health needs.

After 3 years of age, visits to a Primary Care Provider are recommended annually for the remainder of your years. The purpose of these visits is to track growth and development with a focus on prevention at each milestone.

Additional Benefits of Seeing Your Primary Care Provider
If you’re needing to see a specialist, your Primary Care Provider can often provide advice or treatment in the interim. Some specialists schedule a few months out, so it can be helpful to visit with your Primary Care Provider regularly during your scheduled appointments. They can also help answer any general health questions or concerns that you have.

Our Primary Care Providers
We offer a diverse group of experienced and compassionate Primary Care Providers who are currently accepting new patients. When it comes to your family and your healthcare, we understand how important it is to find the right medical provider. We are committed to providing lifelong exceptional care to you and your family. It is our goal for you to live a healthy, vibrant, and well-balanced life. We know you’ll be well cared for by our excellent providers at Moab Regional Hospital.