I’ve got it in my dominant hand. It’s the middle finger at the metacarpal and proximal phalanx joint. I’ve had several cortisone injections with varying degrees of success.
What have you done to minimize the pain? Have you had surgery to replace the joint? Did it work and did it last?
I’m a bit worried it’s going to ruin shooting for me. It really sucks.

MCP and IP joint replacement is a fairly straightforward procedure, I first assist in these surgeries regularly. Pain and mobility are improved fairly quickly but you might lose some grip strength.

The easy answer is shoot with the other hand, and if not already, use primarily light recoil calibers like 9/38/22.

Someone here advised me to try tart cherry extract, which helped but didn’t completely eliminate the pain. I was then given the name of an excellent arthritis doctor here in AZ, again from someone here, and after we tried a few meds, I found sulfasalazine with the tart cherry extract completely eliminated the pain and joint swelling. Point is, try supplements and / or meds to see if they work before surgery, you may not need it.

I, too, have come down with arthritis in both hands and wrists. I have tried OTC and prescription medication and the only successful remedy has been THC, from the cannabis hemp plant.

I am getting relief from both topical and oral THC medications. My wife has had relief from foot pain for the first time in years using topical medication.

In states where it is legal, I strongly advise giving it a try… I avoided cannabis for so long, being in the medical profession and not wanting to risk my license, and now using oral gummies every day.

quote:

Arthritis...It’s the middle finger at the metacarpal and proximal phalanx joint. I’ve had several cortisone injections with varying degrees of success.

Hmmm, isolated 3rd MCP arthritis. I want you to keep the following in mind and discuss with your doctor about a diagnostic work-up for hereditary hemochromatosis (HH), if not done, already. Testing is simple and can be life-saving if it's caught early. No amount of pain meds or injections or surgeries will fix the problem, if that's what it is.

HH is a disease of iron overload in multiple organs (liver, pancreas, heart, joints, skin, pituitary and gonads) due to excessive intestinal absorption. Early disease presentation could be just arthritis in the 2nd and 3rd MCP joints.

Liver affected -> eventual cirrhosis
Pancreas affected -> you get diabetes
Heart affected -> cardiomyopathy / heart failure
Joints affected -> arthritis (other joints can be affected but 2nd and 3rd MCP joints are most typical)
Skin affected -> you look like a bronze statue
Pituitary and gonads affected -> loss of libido

Treatment is lifelong phlebotomy to remove excess iron. And of course, stay away from iron-rich food and take no iron supplements. Expect to have "normal" longevity, if you haven't developed cirrhosis, diabetes, cardiomyopathy at the time of diagnosis....

I do have voltaren and plenty of ibuprofen. The doc showed me the x-rays from last year and this year. The gap hasn’t narrowed any so the cartilage is still there. The first two injections gave me 10 and 12 months relief respectively. The last injection was three months ago and he said he didn’t like doing cortisone any closer than 4 months apart but he offered anyway. I decided to hold off and he said it was a wise choice. Since the cartilage is still present I’m not exactly sure which kind of arthritis I have, I just know it’s not bone on bone.

In a few weeks I’ll be having surgery to fix a rotator cuff so I will be off work and bored at home for several months. I figured I won’t be using my hand much so the finger joint will get plenty of rest. I’m trying to be the local brass whore at the range so I have plenty of time to separate brass while recouping from surgery. I might even try to buy the clubs used brass at scrap prices just to have more brass to sort through.

I’m just getting to the point in my life where the kids are getting older and more independent and I’ve been drooling at the opportunity to reload and shoot more. Shooting being my only viable hobby, I need to make sure this doesn’t stomp my dream on the eve of it becoming true. I love shooting .22’s but dammit I’ve always wanted a .41 mag revolver and matching Henry. Not to mention an Ed Brown, or Colt Anaconda.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

OP:
Please read Q (12131)’s post carefully, and ask your doctor for a simple blood test for hemochromatosis. Q is a physician; I am too but I am a cardiologist, so hardly ever saw this condition.

From open evidence.com:

quote:

According to an invited review in The New England Journal of Medicine, hemochromatosis-related arthritis classically affects the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints, including the third MCP joint. The review notes that arthropathy of the second to fifth MCP joints is eight times more common in patients with hemochromatosis than in those without the disorder, and this pattern is considered characteristic of hemochromatosis-related arthritis.[1] However, the review does not specifically address isolated involvement of the third MCP joint, but emphasizes that MCP joint involvement (typically multiple joints) is a hallmark of the disease.

The review further explains that hemochromatosis-related arthritis may occur at any point during the disease course, even after successful phlebotomy, and is more likely with higher iron load or advanced liver fibrosis.[1] While isolated third MCP arthritis is not explicitly discussed, MCP joint arthropathy—especially when involving the second to fifth joints—is strongly associated with hemochromatosis.[1]

I most definitely will. All our members are very generous with their knowledge. I thank you for that.

I have arthritis confirmed in my neck, lower back, left hip and knee, and one wrist/hand. Suspected in the other wrist/hand, and knee. That along with tendinitis in several joints means I hurt all day everyday. Limits physical activity. Some days more than others. I’ve been taking MSM with Glucosamine for years. It lessens the pain and allows me to get on with life.

Members here are so incredibly knowledgeable and generous with valuable information.

It is appreciated.

I have it in my neck, thumbs and toes. I had it in my knee but that got replaced. I'm sure I have it elsewhere also but these are the most active.

quote:

Originally posted by MP:
I have arthritis confirmed in my neck, lower back, left hip and knee, and one wrist/hand. Suspected in the other wrist/hand, and knee. That along with tendinitis in several joints means I hurt all day everyday. Limits physical activity. Some days more than others. I’ve been taking MSM with Glucosamine for years. It lessens the pain and allows me to get on with life.

There are many types of arthritis, and many causes. I recommend having your XR images read by a radiologist. Typically osteoarthritis is believed to be a wear and tear issue. However I find that in some cases it is an autoimmune reaction to bacterial infection. The bacteria starts in the gut, and sometimes work's it's way through the gut wall into the body tissues.

The cause of Rheumatoid arthritis is officially "not known", however many believe it caused by an auto immune reaction to a streptococcus infection. Example, met a 22 yo male with sudden onset of RA. He was a semi-professional soccer player in Australia. Two weeks after knee surgery he developed RA. Alternative health care testing showed his
arthritis was caused by a strept infection.

I see my doc in a few weeks. I’ll be discussing this with him.

quote:

Originally posted by c1steve:

quote:

Originally posted by MP:
I have arthritis confirmed in my neck, lower back, left hip and knee, and one wrist/hand. Suspected in the other wrist/hand, and knee. That along with tendinitis in several joints means I hurt all day everyday. Limits physical activity. Some days more than others. I’ve been taking MSM with Glucosamine for years. It lessens the pain and allows me to get on with life.

There are many types of arthritis, and many causes. I recommend having your XR images read by a radiologist. Typically osteoarthritis is believed to be a wear and tear issue. However I find that in some cases it is an autoimmune reaction to bacterial infection. The bacteria starts in the gut, and sometimes work's it's way through the gut wall into the body tissues.

The cause of Rheumatoid arthritis is officially "not known", however many believe it caused by an auto immune reaction to a streptococcus infection. Example, met a 22 yo male with sudden onset of RA. He was a semi-professional soccer player in Australia. Two weeks after knee surgery he developed RA. Alternative health care testing showed his
arthritis was caused by a strept infection.

It's osteoarthritis per the radiologist and ortho doc. Years of being rough on my body (construction, martial arts, police officer, etc) took its toll. Some days I barely notice it. Some days it's hard just getting out of bed and trying to do the necessary activities of daily life. Getting old ain't for wimps.

I've got it in both thumbs, which sucks especially because I'm a musician! My GP doc doesn't want me on oral NSAIDS daily, but says I can take them every other day - a colonoscopy showed some issues that NSAIDS might have caused near my stomach (I guess). I use Voltaren sometimes, probably not often enough to really work, but I still am not sure that something thru my skin will reach the actual joint. My massage therapist (seems they are always a bit "alternative") wants me to try soaking my hands in a teaspoon of Borax and a bowl of warm water. I haven't tried that yet.....I'm skeptical. I can still play guitar fine, but my hands suffer the next day. Ah well, I'm told we have to suffer for our art.

quote:

Originally posted by MP:

quote:

Originally posted by c1steve:

quote:

Originally posted by MP:
I have arthritis confirmed in my neck, lower back, left hip and knee, and one wrist/hand. Suspected in the other wrist/hand, and knee. That along with tendinitis in several joints means I hurt all day everyday. Limits physical activity. Some days more than others. I’ve been taking MSM with Glucosamine for years. It lessens the pain and allows me to get on with life.

There are many types of arthritis, and many causes. I recommend having your XR images read by a radiologist. Typically osteoarthritis is believed to be a wear and tear issue. However I find that in some cases it is an autoimmune reaction to bacterial infection. The bacteria starts in the gut, and sometimes work's it's way through the gut wall into the body tissues.

The cause of Rheumatoid arthritis is officially "not known", however many believe it caused by an auto immune reaction to a streptococcus infection. Example, met a 22 yo male with sudden onset of RA. He was a semi-professional soccer player in Australia. Two weeks after knee surgery he developed RA. Alternative health care testing showed his
arthritis was caused by a strept infection.

It's osteoarthritis per the radiologist and ortho doc. Years of being rough on my body (construction, martial arts, police officer, etc) took its toll. Some days I barely notice it. Some days it's hard just getting out of bed and trying to do the necessary activities of daily life. Getting old ain't for wimps.

I would ask your MD if he could send the images out to a known radiologist for reading. The images probably come to him with a very basic rad report, but those reports are done in about 5 minutes and have little value.

Typically hip issues are greatly exacerbated by the pelvis being unlevel, and incorrect loading is placed on the joints. The only way to level the pelvis is to adjust C1 by a specialist. Some joints are too far gone for realignment to fix the immediate problem. However realignment of C1, and therefore the spine, has saved many persons.

Cervical and lumbar issues are also very fixable. As an example I have spent 35 days in hospitals from various injuries and after all that ended up being a long distance trail runner. Hit by a car while walking, 11 days in the hospital. Broke L1 into 53 pieces while mountain bike riding, 21 days in the hospital, etc.

years ago, during a routine physical, doc asked me if we needed to chat about anything else, as in how I felt, any pain, etc etc,

physical was good,
did mention some pain in my right index finger, and how it looked a bit odd, (knot on the first knuckle)
he referred me to an old doc that specialize in arthritis,

made the appt, went in, doc looked at it and said, what do you do for a living?
I replied I was in the gro biz, spent more than a few years cutting meat, (and I am right handed) in addition to stocking, etc etc and am now management

he started laughing, literally
basically told me I was lucky that was all that hurt and the knot was basically due to the job I had, previous injuries, etc etc,

and sent me on my way



so now, when my hands hurt, not often but sometimes, I do a few fist making exercises,
when my feet, or knees , etc hurt from walking on concrete too long, (as in years) I take an advil,


and move on,


granted, I am fortunate,
my Mother has some Arthritis that is not from work, but apparently inherited, that causes her some real pain,

and a friends mom had the type that basically causes your hands to deform a bit,

quote:

The only way to level the pelvis is to adjust C1 by a specialist.

I’m sorry but C1 does not compute.
C1 is the 1st joint under your skull.

There are many forms of arthritis of course but the overwhelmingly most common is osteoarthritis / degenerative arthritis with autoimmune arthritis ( RA,Lupus etc) far less common. For most people the most commonly affected joint in the hand is the CMC joint of the thumb ( base of thumb where it joins the wrist) a lot of my patients get pretty good relief (8-12 mo) per injection, and when that fails to give adequate relief they have been very happy with the results of suspension arthroplasty

quote:

Originally posted by captain127:
....... a lot of my patients get pretty good relief (8-12 mo) per injection...

Ok, I'll admit to being a bit of a dumbass here. I had injections in my knees for arthritis before my knee replacements, yet I have NEVER considered injections in my thumbs! I will pursue this.