Exercise

• The Mayo Clinic suggests some hand exercises that can be done while soaking your hands in warm water to relieve pain and increase mobility and range of motion. One of the easiest starts with your hand open and relaxed. Next, try to straighten your fingers as much as possible, while keeping them close together. Then, engaging the middle and end joints of the fingers, slowly curl them inward toward the palm of your hand. Do this slowly and repeat several times.
  
  Another hand exercise aims to keep your muscles, ligaments and bones mobile. Open your hand and spread your fingers apart as far as you can without pain. Then close your hand into a fist, with your thumb overlapping the fingers. Squeeze your fist gently. Then open your hand back into the starting position. Repeat several times.
  
  Another exercise that helps with mobility and coordination is to touch your fingertips, one at a time, with your thumb. Start by holding your hand upright. Move your thumb into the palm of the hand and back out again. Next, bring your thumb and the index finger together until their tips touch. Then spread your hand out into a relaxed position. Repeat the procedure, next touching your thumb to the middle finger and back out again. Repeat with each finger. Then switch and do the exercise with your other hand. Do the exercise 1 to 3 times.
  
  

Medications

• Chronic pain caused by arthritis also may be relieved by medications. The most commonly prescribed medication for hand arthritis is Celebrex, though many people also take over-the-counter anti-inflammatory and pain relievers like Advil, Aleve and Tylenol.
  
  In some cases, medical professionals may suggest natural supplements, known as glucosamine and chondroitin, or herbal ointments and tinctures that contain extracts long used in alternative medical therapies. Therapies such as Chinese medicine and acupuncture or massage may help rebuild cartilage. To date, however, their affects on arthritis of the hand or wrist have not been studied in the U.S.
  
  Another form of medication for arthritis of the hand is the injection of a long-acting anesthetic. Steroids can provide up to several months of relief. Discuss such options with your family care provider.
  
  

Surgery

• As a last resort for hand pain caused by arthritis, surgery is an option. In some cases, surgery may reduce or relieve pain caused by damaged or diseased joints. A procedure called an arthroscopy is useful for the small joints of the hands and wrists.