Symptoms > Arthritis Symptoms By Body Part > The Hands and Wrists

The Hands and Wrists

Although they don't bear the weight of your body like your knees and hips, or allow you to bend and twist like the joints of your spine, the joints of your hands are among the most important joints for performing daily activities.

Without them, you would not be able to grip a pencil, comb your hair, button a blouse or hold a child's or lover's hand. Here's what you need to know about these important joints and how to care for them.

Hand and Wrist Anatomy
An inside look at the structure of the hand and wrist

Arthritis and Diseases that Affect the Hand and Wrist
From joint inflammation to compressed nerves, problems that may be to blame for painful hands and wrists

Diagnosing Hand and Wrist Problems
How your doctor can start to identify the cause of your hand and wrist pain.

Hand and Wrist Injury
Common and some not-so-common injuries of the small joints of the hands and wrists

Imaging and Electrodiagnostic Tests
Tests that help your doctor see inside your hand and wrist

Lab Tests for Diagnosing Hand and Wrist Problems
Tests that tell what's going on inside your body

Medications to Treat Hands and Wrists
What you need to know about the many medications used for hand and wrist problems

Surgery
Joint replacement, wrist fusion and other surgical options for hand and wrist arthritis

Ways to Prevent Hand and Wrist Pain
Braces, assistive devices and other ways to manage hand pain