Osteoarthritis of the Hand

Picture of osteoarthritis of the hand

Osteoarthritis is a condition in which the cartilage that protects and cushions the joints breaks down over time. Eventually, the bones—formerly separated by the cartilage—rub against each other, resulting in damage to the tissue and underlying bone and causing painful joint symptoms.

Osteoarthritis is common in the finger and thumb joints, especially at the joints near the tips of the fingers and at the joint that joins the thumb to the hand, near the wrist.

Credits

ByHealthwise Staff
Primary Medical ReviewerAnne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine
Specialist Medical ReviewerStanford M. Shoor, MD - Rheumatology
Last RevisedApril 8, 2011
By: Healthwise StaffLast Revised: April 8, 2011
Medical Review: Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine
Stanford M. Shoor, MD - Rheumatology

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