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OA hands?

Posted , 9 users are following.

kris1964
kris1964

Had RTHR 5 months ago. Going really well. Not a complete walk in the park. But very happy. Does anyone else have OA in their hands as well as mine are giving me problems, nasty Hebredian nodes and Bouchard nodes. Look like old lady hands!  Am still only 51!

Knees not too painful but creak like hell going upstairs, should I get X-ray?  Am in UK   Do I just put up with it or is intervention helpful?

Somehow this post might go. Have tried to support lots with my experience but mostly I pad then fails me!!!  Thank you all for your advice.  XXX

 

1 like, 22 replies

22 Replies

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  • lors23
    lors23 kris1964

    Posted

    Hi Kris

    I am glad you have asked this question i had lthr in dec last year and rthr in feb this year. I then went on to find out l had OA in both knees. I have had the left knee replaced in august which was a far harder op than my hips so l have put my other knee on hold to let my body recover as 3 major operations in the 1 year has been really hard on me infact its changed everything about my life. I am only 43 and what is worrying me i know l have my other knee op looming but l will hold of as long as l can but now l feel that my joints at my shoulders are getting sore to. I was not sure if you could get OA in any other parts of my body also my ankles get sore. You are saying your hands are sore is this OA as l thought if you had arthritis in your hands it was that other type of arthritis rheumitoid? I was not aware you could get OA in your hands ir would explain why l am.maybr getting pain in my ankles and sholders. I hope l don't end up with OA all over my body?

    Laura

    X

    • kris1964
      kris1964 lors23

      Posted

      Hi Laura,

      yes is is definitely OA in my hands. Had X-ray 2 years ago but because of my hips I had rather ignored them!  It seems we can develop OA in a LOT of joints. There is a Facebook page called Osteoarthritis Sufferers which I sometimes dip in to. I have purchased some "arthritis" gloves which apply compression and help if I am doing a lot of typing at work. 

      Trying to work out if I should get knees X-rayed as they sound terrible and one makes a nasty cracking sound when I stand up. However they are not really painful. 

      Maybe I am better off not knowing. 

      Thanks for your reply, I have been following your journey. You are a brave lady. 

      Kris. X

    • lors23
      lors23 kris1964

      Posted

      Hi kris

      Everyone says l am brave but beleive me l don't feel it. I am terffied of getting my last knee done so much so l am suffering the pain of OA for as long as l can as getting the 1st one was a nightmare its scared me to death but my body has had enough for this year l will suffer it as long as l can and until l can't anymore.

      But when the time comes l will go through it again as there is no other cure.

      I am sorry you have it in your hands kris thankfully l have not yet got that.

      Take care

      Laura x

    • brenda92532
      brenda92532 lors23

      Posted

      Hi Laura

      Sorry to hear about your fear but I think you have been brave having 3 major operations in one year.  I've only had my left hip replaced but because of the problems with my left foot now I always feel that when I've had operations over the years it always causes problems with something else.

      This is the reason I am frightened of having my wrist done.  Will it affect my driving which is my lifeline.

      Take care

      Brenda C

  • gwen81475
    gwen81475 kris1964

    Posted

    Hi Kris, I suffer with OA in my left hand. I'm left handed and noticed it about 10 years ago when I tried to do some knitting. The joint became so swollen and painful I had to give it up. Now anything I do for any length of time (peeling vegetables etc) is painful. As for other parts of my body,apart from my two new hips 😊, I have no problem. My knees are good, fingers crossed!

    • hope4cure
      hope4cure gwen81475

      Posted

      I'm sorry Gwen. I know exactly what you mean it's hard to do things with pain after use  hands are so important we do so many things we never really stop and think the many positions and tasks that our hand do.

      i have trouble hold onto thins and drop things a lot. My rhumy has help with medication to slow down the progression of the disease , exercises and I wear a splint glove nightly FIXXGLOVE. Easy on and off I also have nodes in my palm . Painful and Mr Hope helps with things I have trouble with

      Pt has strengthen my hands and fingers and there are many devices to help even squeezing a tennis or rubber bal,.

      but I have not found much to bring back the dexterity needed which is why I'm thinking about becoming left handed . The left needs a lot of work to catch up to what the right one could do. 

      this is the most frustrating disease.mwell at least Imcan still comb my hair. 

    • kris1964
      kris1964 gwen81475

      Posted

      Thank you Gwen, glad your knees are good!  It is just annoying as I really like cooking! Also I don't want to damage them further but on the other hand. (Get the joke?) I want to do the things I enjoy. 

      Going to ask my GP for a referral to a hand therapist to get the latest advice. If I paint - walls not pictures! My hand gets stuck around the paintbrush and I have to gently "unpeel" it!

      Thank goodness for hip replacements! At least I can walk well again. 😀

    • gwen81475
      gwen81475 kris1964

      Posted

      Yes, that's what I think, at least I can walk without pain.

      I have a few walnuts most evening and I find that cracking them with my bad hand keeps the muscles from getting atrophied.

      Good luck with your referral, let us know how you get on.

  • hope4cure
    hope4cure kris1964

    Posted

    The nodes you ask about are located at the top joint of the fingers and the middle joints generally from OA and I have the same nodes in my fingers. One hand is larger and a bit more deformed than the other.

    Knees can definately get OA too, sometimes a torn metatarsal can mimic symptoms of OA, a injury to the cushion, and usually swelling accompanies the knee with pain, the knee slide across the metartsal as we walk and wears down same idea in THR the cartledge wears out. 

    sometimes it can help knees to do physical therapy. Build muscle and tendons. There and great exercises has helped me a brat deal coping with knee pain. Clinical trials shows that PT can help knees with OA and releive pain better that a TKR.

    See  a rheumatologist for tests and xrays and treatment.

    its not fun when our joints start to wear out one by one. sometimes  I feel like the Tinman from the Wizzard of OZ, carry a oil can to lube my joints keeping them from freezing up. 

     

    • kris1964
      kris1964 hope4cure

      Posted

      I too have heard that about knees. That Exercise is better than surgery. 

      Starting Pilates again and going to gym as well as walking my dog 3 miles a day. 

      Definately not keen on the thought of knee replacements!

      However would not hesitate to have my other hip replaced when it needs it. Not too bad at the moment.

      I think my hands are bothering me because I have stopped taking anti inflammatories as my new hip is so good. 

      Am trying Volterol gel, which seems to be helping.

      I could well have a torn meniscus, my knee has clicked since getting flattened by our heavy ( fat) golden retriever about 10 years ago!

      Think I will have a chat with my GP

      maybe I need to move to a nice Spanish Villa with a pool!  This current weather in UK is awful. 

      Keep oiling those joints!

      Kris. X

  • brenda92532
    brenda92532 kris1964

    Posted

    Hi Kris

    I have OA in the hands. I have had problems for the last 40 years, I am now 70 years old and I have been offered a complete new wrist. Over the years I have had my carpal tunnel done about 20 years ago and just has a LHR. After the hip replacement I am having problems with my left foot and ankle. I  have an appointment for a nerve conduction test on the 7th December.

    Because of my other problems I am undecided about the wrist. It really hurts but it will affect my driving and that has been my lifeline. The specialist was really nice about it and said if it's 12 months still ask or me personally. Well, it's 12 months since Ilast saw him and I'm still undecided.

     I live in the U.K. and I don't know anyone who has had a complete new wrist. If there is anyone about please let me know how it affects you.

    All the best Brenda C

    • kris1964
      kris1964 brenda92532

      Posted

      Hi Brenda,

      could you wear a splint on your wrist to put off the operation?

      Maybe your Physio could advise. 

      Kris. X

    • brenda92532
      brenda92532 kris1964

      Posted

      Hi Kris

      Thanks for the reply.  I have worn a splint especiallfor driving.

      I haven't thought about asking the physio but it is an option.  I was hoping I could find someone else who has had the operation.

      Brenda C   X

  • julie49207
    julie49207 kris1964

    Posted

    Hi Kristen yes ditto with hands and knees . I am 59 and had nodules a few years and my knees. However, hip was the worst the rest is OK.

    Have you had a parathyroid blood test? My calcium went berserk and I think that made things worse. Had parathyroid gland removed and feel so much better .

    Julie 🖒

  • julie-ann_63087
    julie-ann_63087 kris1964

    Posted

    I wouldn't hurt to go and get yourself checked out by the doctor, would also give you peace of mind so you can just concentrate on getting yourself better after your operation.

    • kris1964
      kris1964 julie-ann_63087

      Posted

      Good plan!

      Very happy with my new hip. No idea why I wrote RTHR. It was definatley my Left!  Maybe because the right is the one I am worrying about now. 

      Kris. X

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