Medically Reviewed by David E. Lukowski, MD

Nearly half the people over age 65 have been diagnosed with arthritis. Most are experiencing osteoarthritis caused by a lifetime of wear and tear. A small percentage of people developed arthritis after an accident to one of their joints. And a third group – the smallest, but most severe – suffer from Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA).

HOW IS IT DIFFERENT?

Most arthritis is an inflammation when the lubricating tissue in joints in worn away or otherwise disturbed. Rheumatoid arthritis affects the cells that cover joints and provide lubrication.

Swelling causes ligaments and tendons that support the joint to stretch, triggering the characteristic deformities of rheumatoid arthritis. The most noticeable effect is the fingers of the hand pointing to the side, rather than straight ahead.

Osteoarthritis is most likely to cause trouble in a person’s hip or knee joints. RA can affect joints throughout the body, but is most likely to start in the hands and wrist.

People may suffer from osteoarthritis in one knee or one side of your hip. RA general affects both sides of your body, starting in both hands. The most common sites are the joint closest to the fingertip, the middle joint of a finger or at the base of the thumb.

TREATMENTS

Because Rheumatoid Arthritis can cause deformities, diagnosis and early treatment can slow or prevent joint damage that leads to malformations.

Nonsurgical treatments for all forms of arthritis are the same:

• Limiting activities that make the pain worse.
• Taking Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen.
• Steroid injections of anti-inflammatory medications, such as cortisone.

If these treatments no longer offer relief from the pain and stiffness of RA in the hand or wrist, surgery may be recommended.

• Total fusion solves the problem if motion causes the pain. Partially fusing wrist bones retains some movement while reducing pain.
• Wrist motion is retained by removing three carpal wrist bones.
• Joint replacement switches the damage bones for an artificial device. This procedure is similar to a hip or knee joint replacement, except the hand and wrist implants are much smaller.

SYMPTOMS TO LOOK FOR

All types of arthritis cause stiffness, pain and, sometimes, weakness in the joints affected.

Lumps, bumps and bends are the most common symptoms to appear. With Rheumatoid Arthritis, you might see or feel:

• Lumps on the back of your hand that move when your fingers do.
• Problems bending or straightening fingers.
• Bumps along the fingers.
• A bend at the end of your finger or at the finger’s middle joint.
• Bones in the wrist noticeably sticking out.
• Numbness or tingling in your hands.
• Inflammation from RA can affect your whole body, causing dry eyes and mouth.

COPPER BRACELETS?

Many people wear copper jewelry based on advertising claims that the bracelets reduce the severity of arthritis. One study in England found no positive effect on pain, swelling or slowing the effects of Rheumatoid Arthritis. A researcher pointed out 2 reasons people may report benefits from the copper bracelet:

• Placebo effect. Much research has shown that if you tell people a pill they are taking or bracelet they are wearing will help them, the people will say they do feel better.
• Flare Up. If a person begins wearing the copper jewelry during a flare up, and the flare up then clears up, the person may believe the bracelet is responsible for the improved condition.

Clearly, more research needs to be done. If a copper bracelet makes you feel better, go ahead and wear it.

You may also find these articles useful:

8 Benefits from Exercise When You Have Arthritis

A Twist of the Wrist: Not So Easy with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Elbow Pain: Reaching for Solutions
Sources include: McLeod Health, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Society of Surgery for the Hand, Arthritis Foundation, Public Library of Science (PLoS ONE)