How Rheumatoid Arthritis Affects the Hands and How We Treat It

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) affects more than 1.3 million Americans—most of them women between the ages of 30 and 60. And while RA can target joints throughout the body, the hands are often one of the first and most significantly impacted areas.

“We understand how deeply RA can interfere with everyday life,” shares Dr. Sidney Rabinowitz, a surgeon with The Center for Hand & Upper Extremity Surgery, “chronic hand pain can disrupt everything, from simple tasks like buttoning a shirt to holding a coffee cup or caring for your family.”

Whether you're newly diagnosed or seeking relief after years of joint damage, our expert team is here to help you regain function and move forward.

Understanding Rheumatoid Arthritis in Hands

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition that causes the body’s immune system to attack the lining of the joints, particularly the small joints in the hands and wrists. Over time, this chronic inflammation damages cartilage, bone, ligaments, and tendons, leading to joint instability, deformity, and loss of function.

Since our hands are involved in nearly every daily activity—gripping, pinching, typing, dressing, cooking—RA in the hands can have a profound impact on independence and quality of life.

Some of the most common symptoms of RA include:

• Joint deformities, such as finger drift or “swan neck” shapes
• Numbness or tingling, often related to nerve compression or tendon involvement
• Persistent joint pain and stiffness, especially in the morning
• Reduced range of motion, making it hard to open jars or turn door knobs
• Swelling and warmth around the finger or wrist joints
  
  

“Without the proper treatment, RA can lead to permanent joint damage, tendon ruptures, and secondary nerve issues like carpal tunnel syndrome,” Dr. Rabinowitz warns. That’s why early detection and targeted intervention are critical.

Our Approach to Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment

The team at HUES takes a patient-centered approach to managing rheumatoid arthritis in the hands—prioritizing both function and quality of life. To do this, every patient’s care plan begins with carefully evaluating disease severity, joint stability, and nerve involvement. This is followed by a personalized treatment roadmap designed to relieve pain, preserve motion, and prevent long-term damage.

Our treatment options include both non-surgical and advanced surgical interventions:

• Non-Surgical Therapies: These may involve corticosteroid injections, splinting, and activity modification.
• Surgical Interventions: For patients with joint deformity, tendon rupture, or nerve compression, we offer highly specialized surgical procedures such as:
  • Tendon transfers or repairs
  • Joint fusion (arthrodesis) for stability
  • Joint replacement (arthroplasty) to restore mobility
  • Nerve decompression (e.g., carpal tunnel release) when RA causes secondary nerve entrapment
    
    

“For these procedures, we use microsurgical techniques that minimize trauma and support faster healing,” Dr. Rabinowitz shares. Many patients worry about downtime or the risk of losing further function—but in expert hands, surgery is often the key to regaining comfort, dexterity, and control.

Why Choose The Center for Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery For Arthritis Relief

At The Center for Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery, arthritis care goes beyond routine treatment—it’s guided by the precision of world-renowned hand surgeons and the depth of microsurgical expertise rarely found in traditional orthopedic settings.

What also sets HUES apart is not only our technical capability, but our commitment to whole-patient care. We recognize that living with arthritis affects more than just the joints—it touches every aspect of daily life. That’s why we approach each patient with empathy, precision, and a clear treatment path tailored to long-term relief and function.

Schedule Your Consultation Today For Arthritis Relief

“Rheumatoid arthritis that’s affecting your hands can feel overwhelming—but these challenges don’t have to be faced alone,” Dr. Rabinowitz encourages. Our team combines advanced microsurgical expertise with compassionate, personalized care to help patients reclaim function, independence, and quality of life.

With convenient locations in New Jersey and Ohio, accessing specialized treatment has never been easier. Whether you’re in the early stages of RA or have been living with symptoms for years, our surgeons and care team are here to provide solutions that go beyond pain relief—restoring movement, comfort, and confidence in your hands.

If rheumatoid arthritis is affecting your life, we encourage you to schedule a consultation with HUES today. Together, we’ll create a treatment plan that supports not only your hands but your whole journey toward long-term relief and healing.

At The Center for Hand & Upper Extremity Surgery, we treat chronic pain in the hands, wrist, arm, shoulder, and more.

If you are ready to treat rheumatoid arthritis, contact Dr. Rabinowitz and the care team at The Center for Hand & Upper Extremity Surgery, part of The Institute for Advanced Reconstruction, for a consultation today.