Don't Let Hand Arthritis Slow Down Your Golf Game

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Rosemont, Ill. - Arthritis can affect any joint in the body, but it can really affect your golf game when it strikes the wrists, hands and fingers. The American Society for Surgery of the Hand (ASSH) encourages individuals to educate themselves on the signs and symptoms of arthritis of the hand and seek treatment from a qualified hand specialist. Arthritis pain does not have to be permanent, and a hand specialist can get you back on the course sooner than you might think.

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease in which the cushioning cartilage that covers the bone surfaces at joints begins to wear out. It may be caused by simple "wear and tear" on joints, or it may develop after an injury to a joint. In the hand, osteoarthritis most often develops in three sites: at the base of the thumb where the thumb and wrist come together, at the middle joint of a finger, and at the joint near the fingertip. The wrist may also develop arthritis, particularly if an injury has occurred in the past.

How do you know if you are suffering from osteoarthritis? Symptoms may include:

• Stiffness
• Pain with pinch or grip
• Swelling and tenderness
• Enlarged joints, nodule at the joints or cysts

Relieving symptoms >