What type of arthritis causes these hand changes?

Mat48

Hi All,

My hands are slowly changing shape and feel a bit as though they were being pulled to one side - especially my right hand. Apart from my husband who is a bit startled by how rapidly these changes are occurring, I don't think it's noticeable to anyone but me and I am just being a tad paranoid probably. I have both RA and OA in my hands so I am wondering if there's any way of telling which one is causing my fingers, especially on my right hand, to turn around so that the nails are starting to face the little finger and the little finger is sticking right out at a funny angle permanently now and has also turned to face out to sea (as it were!).

I'm wondering this mainly because I want to feel reassured that my DMARDs might halt this alteration in the shape and feel of my hands so am hoping it's due to RA rather than the less treatable OA. Does anyone know how best to stop this morphing of my hand towards the sea?! :roll: I have seen special splints on adverts and am wondering if anyone uses them and whether they make a difference? I'm not due to see the consultant again anytime soon and when I last saw him he just looked at them and nodded and said "yes that's the arthritis" and nothing more but he increased my sub cut MTX - and that was the only part of me that he examined because I have no issues currently with other parts apart from hip and back which are OA.

I've not had my hands x-rayed for two years now. Should I ask my GP if they can be done again or is this just pointless because it won't stop them drifting and turning round I realise?

lizzy100

http://www.patient.co.uk/doctor/Rheumatoid-Arthritis.htm

you get ulnar deviation with rheumatoid arthritis, which means your hand will stick outwards. so i suspect it is the rheumatoid.

i dont think an xray would help as you already have a diagnosis. you need treatment.

barbara12

Hi Mat
I have OA, and my hands have lumps everywhere...but they aren't twisted in any way..I do think you need reassurance, so I would try and see your Rheumy...at the very least it will put your mind at rest...
Please let us know how you get on..xx

Mat48

Thanks that's exactly what I needed to know Izzy and Barbara. I too have small lumps everywhere but they are hard and only ache when I squeeze them hard after the initial pain when they formed. I was told by physio and consultant ages ago that they are OA. So I just wanted to know about deviation really. There's no swan neck deformities yet and the drift is quite subtle apart from in my pinkies but I notice it and my hands no longer hold out straight - fingers clustering and drifting outwards on both hands a little.

I only saw a rheumy five weeks ago and he said 6 months until I'm seen again. I don't think there's much point in banging on to my GP about it and I don't have a rheumy nurse. I just wanted to know which type of arthritis this is and I think that tells me that there's hope that it's RA and can be arrested or improved even by keeping taking the DMARDs. Here's hoping! Mat xx

stickywicket

I've always attributed the deviation to my RA and the bumps to my OA but that's not an expert opinion I think I was deviating long before the OA set in. I'm sure I've read on here of finger splints. I don't think they were around in my day but it might be worth enquiring.

frogmorton

Hi Tilda

I was going to say that maybe you ought to ask for a referral to an OT for some splints or something....

I do hope your hands aren't too sore

Love and ((()))

toni xxx

shell127

Hi

I agree with the others and go get an appointment with an Occupational Therapist. Ask them to go through Methods of protecting your joints. ie different ways to carry heavy objects etc. One of the reasons I am saying this is because of the swelling round the joints,the ligaments etc become stretched and they are no longer able to keep the joints in place. One of the ways to help the joints from slipping out of shape is to change how we do things. Ps The only reason I know this is cos I am being taught it right now for my finger and wrist joints.

Hope this helps.
Take care,
Shell

stickywicket

Oooh Shell, that’s interesting. I do hope it helps. Please let us know how you get on with them.

Invictus

Hi mat48,

I have psoriatic arthritis and my hands have lumps primarily at the finger tips and middle joints. Both my pinkie fingers also bend southwards. There is also swelling across all of my knuckles. Gosh...ya gotta laugh.
My friend said I have "witches" hands: lol: Anyway, I asked my specialist for splints some time ago which I wear on occasion for bed. They were made for me and took a number of weeks to arrive. I also do gentle stretching exercises but this requires a lot of will power. Have a look at the link below.
http://www.thirdage.com/arthritis/8-arthritis-hand-exercises