Range of motion can be severely impaired by arthritis. Ulnar drift, or the fingers growing deformed in a sideways manner away from the thumb, is most common among sufferers of rheumatoid arthritis but also can be seen with osteoarthritis. Performing daily range of motion exercises along with using other home remedies can prolong the use of your hands and reduce your symptoms. Furthermore, daily interventions can reduce the long-term impact of your arthritis.
Preparation
Most arthritic stiffness is felt upon awakening in the morning. To reduce your stiffness and prepare your hands for range of motion tasks, apply heat to the tissue in your hand. Use a heating blanket, hot water bottle or heating pad to warm your hands for 15 minutes when you first wake up. Gently rub your hands together and rub the back of each hand to stimulate circulation. Complete these steps before getting out of bed, if possible, to minimize your pain at the start of the day.
Range of Motion
Open and close your hand, making a fist repeatedly at least 30 times. Next, with your fingers straight, fan your fingers outward and then bring them back together about 20 times each direction. Touch your thumb to each finger, one at a time, fully extending your thumb and finger between each touch, performing 10 full sets on each hand. Use a tendon-gliding range of motion exercise to improve your range more by transitioning your hand from fingers straight with knuckles bent to fingers bent with knuckles straight.
Strengthening Activities
Once your hands are more limber, perform daily strengthening activities. Grasp clothespins one at a time and place them on a clothesline. Remove the clothespins to target an alternate set of muscles. Squeeze putty in your hand and between your fingers to strengthen them further. Hold a 1-lb. dumbbell in your hand and bend your wrist up and down, alternating between the palms-up and palms-down positions to strengthen opposing muscle groups.
Alternative Treatments
A hot and cold contrast bath can be effective in treating the pain and stiffness associated with arthritis. Prepare two basins full of water, one with warm but not hot water and one with cold but not ice-cold water. Place your hands in the cold water for 30 seconds and then place them in the hot water for three minutes. Repeat this over and over until you feel relief. Finish by placing your hands back in the cold water for 30 seconds. As your hands loosen, begin to open and close your hands while they are in the water. This alternating temperature approach can improve circulation and loosen the remaining synovial fluid in your joints. Use a paraffin bath daily to treat pain, as well, following manufacturer's instructions for safety.
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