Osteoarthritis (OA) is often called wear-and-tear disease and it also involves chemical changes to the joint cartilage. Cartilage is a strong, flexible connective tissue that protects your joints and bones which acts as a shock absorber. This condition can cause painful and stiff joints. The most common form of OA of the hand treated are at the base of the thumb (1st carpometacarpal joint) and at the joints at the end of the fingers (distal interphalangeal and proximal interphalangeal joints).

Hand therapy aims to reduce pain and inflammation and preserve and improve function of the hand. Treatment such as splinting to rest affected joints or to minimise deformity and maximise function of the hand. Most importantly joint protection techniques will be shared in an effort to reduce stress on the affected joints. Targeted exercises will be taught with caution to maintain flexibility of the surrounding soft tissues and redirect deforming forces away from involved joints.