Hand arthritis:
osteo & rheumatoid
Being told to "live with" your arthritis is not the end of the road. Specialist Hand Therapy can significantly reduce pain, improve hand function and help you stay independent at any stage of arthritis.
Arthritis does not have
to mean giving up
Many patients with arthritis of the hand and upper limb are told there is little that can be done short of surgery or pain medication. That is not the full picture. Specialist Hand Therapy can make a real and lasting difference to pain levels, strength, daily function and independence.
Ms Razo is a Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) with extensive experience treating osteo, rheumatoid and other inflammatory arthritides affecting the hand, wrist, elbow and shoulder. She works with patients at every stage of arthritis, from early onset through to more advanced presentations. Treatment programmes are tailored to the individual, not the X-ray.
Joint
wear & tear
The most common form of arthritis. Cartilage breaks down over time, causing pain, stiffness, reduced pinch and grip. Commonly affects the base of the thumb (CMC joint, also known as basal thumb arthritis), finger joints and wrist. Highly responsive to specialist Hand Therapy at all stages.
- Pain at the base of the thumb when pinching, gripping or turning a key
- Aching in the finger joints after activity or in cold weather
- Stiffness first thing in the morning that eases with movement
- Reduced grip strength: difficulty with jar lids, taps and buttons
- Bony knobbles over the finger joints (Heberden's or Bouchard's nodes)
Inflammatory
joint disease
An autoimmune condition causing inflammation, pain and progressive joint damage. The hands and wrists are among the most commonly affected areas. Hand Therapy plays a central role in managing symptoms, protecting joints and maintaining function throughout all stages of the condition.
- Swelling and warmth across multiple finger or wrist joints, often symmetrical on both sides
- Morning stiffness lasting more than 30 minutes
- Tender, puffy knuckles and difficulty making a full fist
- Fatigue alongside joint pain
- Loss of grip strength or fine-motor control
What specialist treatment
can achieve
Hand Therapy for arthritis is not a single treatment. It is a combination of approaches tailored to your specific joints, your symptoms and your daily life. The goal is always the same: less pain, better function and greater independence.
Practical techniques to reduce pain during daily activities, protect affected joints from further stress and maintain function without increasing inflammation or damage.
Custom, thermoplastic orthoses support and offload arthritic joints, reducing pain during activity and at rest. For CMC joint arthritis (basal thumb arthritis), a thumb spica splint can dramatically reduce pain during pinch and grip. Orthoses are made in clinic from thermoplastic material and fitted in the same appointment. For severe basal thumb arthritis where conservative care is no longer enough, modern thumb joint replacement may be considered.
Carefully designed exercise programmes maintain and improve joint mobility and strength. Exercise is one of the most effective interventions for both osteoarthritis and inflammatory arthritis, when prescribed correctly.
Practical guidance on modifying everyday tasks, tools and equipment to reduce joint load while preserving independence. Small adaptations can make a significant difference to daily function and quality of life.
For patients with inflammatory arthritis. Guidance on managing flares involves activity advice, protecting inflamed joints and knowing when to seek further medical input. Virtual appointments are particularly useful on flare days when travel is difficult.
Ms Razo works alongside Rheumatologists, Orthopaedic and Plastic Surgeons as well as GPs as part of a coordinated approach to arthritis management. She can provide reports and progress updates, as required. For patients considering or recovering from hand surgery, see surgery aftercare.
From patients told
to live with it
Many of the arthritis patients seen at the clinic arrive having been told there is nothing more that can be done. Their experience after a course of specialist Hand Therapy tells a different story.
"Having been told by more than one GP that I would have to live with the effects of OA, the improvement is nothing short of transformational. I have regained about 80% of mobility in my affected fingers and now able to perform tasks from opening jars to using the rowing machine again. I cannot recommend Michelle highly enough."
David L · Osteoarthritis (index fingers)
"My hands are massively improved showing greater flexibility and strength. Michelle's approach to my therapy has done wonders for my hand strength and more importantly, she has slowly built my confidence to a stage where I am now able to use my hands fully for everyday tasks."
Colin B · Rheumatoid arthritis
Frequently asked
questions
-
No. While arthritis cannot be cured, there is a great deal that specialist Hand Therapy can do to reduce pain, improve function and slow the progression of disability. Many patients told to simply live with their arthritis see significant improvement in strength, mobility and manual dexterity following a course of specialist treatment.
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Osteoarthritis is a degenerative condition caused by wear and breakdown of joint cartilage over time. Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory autoimmune condition that causes the immune system to attack the joint lining. Both can affect the hands and upper limb with both responding well to specialist Hand Therapy, though the approach differs between the two.
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Yes. The severity of arthritis on imaging does not always predict how much can be achieved with Hand Therapy. Many patients with significant X-ray changes still make meaningful improvements in pain and function. Ms Razo will assess your specific situation and give you a realistic picture of what is achievable.
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No. You can self-refer directly to Ms Razo without going through your Consultant or GP. If you are under the care of a Rheumatologist, Ms Razo can work alongside your existing medical team and provide progress updates if helpful.
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Yes. For many aspects of arthritis management. Exercise programmes, activity advice, joint protection education and splint guidance can all be delivered effectively via video. An in-person appointment may be needed for provision of specialty supports or custom splint fabrication.
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Most patients with arthritis attend between four and eight sessions, though this varies based on the severity of symptoms, the joints involved and your functional goals. Ms Razo will give you a clear picture of what to expect at your initial assessment and review progress at each appointment. Arthritis is a long-term condition so some patients return periodically for review and progression of their programme.
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CMC joint arthritis (also called basal thumb arthritis) is osteoarthritis at the base of the thumb, where the metacarpal meets the trapezium. It is one of the most common sites for hand osteoarthritis and causes pain with pinching, gripping and turning movements like opening jars or keys. Many patients manage CMC joint arthritis successfully without surgery using a combination of custom splints or specialty supports, targeted strengthening of the appropriate muscles and joint protection strategies. When non-operative treatment is no longer enough, <a href="/thumb-joint-replacement">modern thumb joint replacement</a> is now accessible from Belfast as an alternative to traditional trapeziectomy.
Do not accept that
nothing can be done
Book a specialist assessment with Ms Razo and find out what Hand Therapy can do for your arthritis. Initial assessment £86. Follow-up sessions £66. Same-week appointments available. No GP referral needed.