​​Well now you actually can predict the future using a prediction tool to get an estimation of your likelihood of developing hand OA over the coming 12 years. This tool is still being validated for females, but is thought to be reliable for use by males aged 35-70 years old who don’t currently have OA in their hands. The tool uses your age, weight, height, education, work level, sleep quality, weekly physical activity and general health to determine your probability of developing hand OA in 12 years time.
 
What risk factors did they identify?

As you would expect, greater age as well as heavier work, were found to increase your risk for both sexes. But interestingly this study also found that in men increased BMI (Body mass Index) and poor sleep quality also have a negative effect. Whilst in women the relevant risk factors were increased BMI, and a sedentary lifestyle. To minimise your risk, your doctor could refer males to a sleep specialist or recommend obese clients see a nutritionist. 

The lifestyle factors give us yet another good reason to follow the WHO (World Health Organisation) 2020 guidelines for Physical activity: For adults aged 18-64: WHO recommends at least 150 -300 minutes of moderate activity or 75-150 minutes of vigorous intensity exercise per week. For older adults they recommend at least 3 sessions per week of moderate intensity exercise including strength and balance training.

Conservative treatments for hand OA include:

• education regarding how to protect your joints -modifying activity, aids and equipment,
•  learning how heat and compression can assist with your symptoms,
• how and when to exercise your hands, as well as
• prescription and fitting of custom splints and braces
• warm paraffin wax bath and hand massage

 
Other interventions your GP may recommend:

• Medications to manage the joint inflammation and pain,
• Injections of steroids into the affected joint
• Refer you to a hand surgeon

 
Please get in touch if you would like a customised management plan for your arthritis.

Many thanks to handyevidence.com for the informative research updates and inspiration

1. Get an Xray - we do not have superpowers
2. take all finger, hand and wrist fractures seriously & see a professional who is familiar with managing these injuries such as a hand therapist
3. remember even if your Xray is negative, that only excludes a bone injury.
   

Many soft tissues such as ligaments and tendons can be damaged during trauma. They also require expert care to ensure a full and timely recovery. Your hand therapist can help you achieve the fastest recovery and can frequently diagnose your soft tissue injury without further imaging being required.
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Looking forward to helping you in your recovery 

​If not treated properly, gymnasts wrist can cause the growth plate of the affected bone (radius) to close sooner than it should.

When this happens and the other forearm bone continues to grow you can end up with an asymmetry of the forearm bones and long term chronic wrist pain.

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Common symptoms include pain with impact activities as well as local stiffness and swelling.
Xrays can confirm diagnosis by showing widening of the growth plate.
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As an athlete you are no doubt used to your muscles hurting sometimes from training. But is is really important to note that you shouldn't train with pain in your wrist. 

Unlike muscle soreness after exercise, pain in a gymnasts wrist is a sign of stress and overuse and it requires rest and professional management. Your hand therapist may need to work with your coach to ensure you getting your training levels just right as you resume activity.

If you or someone you know may have gymnast's wrist- be sure to get it checked properly out. 

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Cortisone injections use a needle to deliver anti-inflammatory medication directly to the swollen tendon (inside its sheath) to reduce swelling. This is commonly done under the guidance of an ultrasound scan.

In more chronic cases the injection will also help to break down adhesive scar tissue which causes stiffness. However many people notice the 'effects wearing off' after about 6-8 weeks as the medication gets broken down in your body.

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Studies are ongoing and certainly indicate an improvement through either splinting or cortisone injection. So you can make a good argument for choosing either as an initial management strategy.

Although Physiotherapists can refer for ultrasound scans we cannot give you a referral for the CSI so you would need to discuss this choice with your GP or specialist if you wanted to start with the injection option.

Sadly however I do see many patients commencing  hand therapy after having had only temporary relief from their 1st (or second) cortisone injection. The majority of these cases can still be helped without needing to resort to surgery.