Does hand therapy treat hand osteoarthritis?

Hand osteoarthritis can cause aching, stiffness, swelling and reduced grip around the finger or thumb joints. A hand therapist looks at your pain pattern, joint movement, strength and the tasks that are hardest. Care may include exercises to maintain motion, gradual strengthening, joint-protection strategies, pacing, and advice about heat or supportive splints. The aim is to help you use the hand more comfortably and confidently while respecting irritated joints. Therapy works alongside medical care rather than replacing assessment of the arthritis.

Ask for a personalised plan if pain or stiffness is interfering with cooking, opening containers, typing or personal care. Follow the exercise dose provided and build activity gradually. Use larger handles or easier grips when advised, alternate demanding tasks with rest, and avoid repeatedly forcing a swollen joint. Tell the therapist if exercises increase symptoms and ask how to modify them.

Arrange medical review for persistent swelling, worsening stiffness, significant loss of grip, or pain that is changing your sleep or routine. Seek prompt help for a hot, very red joint, fever, sudden deformity or severe pain after an injury. More detail about the condition is available in Hand Osteoarthritis.

Ask which joints are involved, which exercises suit your symptoms, and whether a splint could support a painful thumb or finger. Ask how to protect the joint during work and when worsening symptoms should lead to another assessment.