Clinical Scenario

Hand osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint condition affecting the small joints of the hand, including the trapeziometacarpal and first CMC joint. This first-line protocol addresses structured, evidence-based management aimed at reducing symptoms and improving hand function and daily activities.

Treatment Approach

Management incorporates self-management programs and patient education as a core foundation, alongside targeted hand exercises and specific joint support strategies — particularly for trapeziometacarpal and first CMC joint involvement.

The complete regimen — including sequencing, full intervention list, and specific guidance for each modality — is available in the full protocol below.

References

DOI: 10.1016/j.rdc.2022.03.009.

Self-efficacy and self-management programs were consistently strongly recommended across guidelines; these programs typically use a multidisciplinary group-based format addressing skill-building, education about the disease and therapies, joint protection measures, managing weight, and fitness and exercise approaches and goals.
Range of motion/flexibility exercises were strongly recommended for hand OA in the EULAR guidelines, but overall there was less agreement on the benefits of exercise for hand OA.
Splints for trapeziometacarpal OA were conditionally recommended by EULAR and ACR/AF.
First CMC splinting was strongly recommended in the ACR/AF guidelines for hand OA involving the CMC joint.
Kinesiotaping was conditionally recommended for knee and/or first CMC joint OA in the ACR/AF guidelines.

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What is the treatment of Hand Osteoarthritis?

References