Arthritis of the Hand and Wrist

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Johanna R. Krebiehl

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Meet Our Specialist

Dr. Krebiehl is a native to Michigan. She graduated with honors from Wayne State University in 2006. She continued on to medical school at…

What is Arthritis of the Hand and Wrist?

Arthritis is swelling and tenderness of one or more joints (where two bones meet). This disease can attack the lining of your joint or the smooth covering at the ends of bones called cartilage. This will cause the cartilage to break down over time, and the ends of your bones will become exposed and rub against each other. When this occurs in the hand and wrist, it can lead to pain, swelling, stiffness, and even deformity.

Individuals who are more likely to develop arthritis in their hand or wrist include those who:

  • Are over the age of 50
  • Are a woman
  • Are overweight
  • Have experienced past hand or wrist injuries
  • Have inherited genes that cause arthritis

Who can Benefit from Treatment?

Individuals who are experiencing dull or burning joint pain, have swollen joints in their hands or wrist, or have pain and stiffness in their hands or wrist can often benefit from treatment. If you are interested in learning more about arthritis of the hand and wrist or would like to find out if you are a candidate for treatment, contact our Grand Rapids office today to schedule a consultation appointment.

Treatment Options

While there is no cure for arthritis, there are ways to manage mild to moderate symptoms. Treatment options for arthritis of the hand and wrist may include splinting or bracing, various medications, injections, non-drug solutions, or surgery. Overall, the treatment option that is right for you will depend on the type and stage of arthritis, how many joints are affected, your activity level, and your age.

Can Arthritis of the Hand and Wrist be Prevented?

Unfortunately, arthritis is not something that can be prevented. However, you can keep an eye out for symptoms so that you can obtain treatment early on. You can also take steps to keep your body overall healthy, including eating healthy, maintaining a healthy weight (weight gain can put stress on your joints), and avoiding smoking (smoking can increase the risk of arthritis).

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Sarah's Story

“My consultation, surgery and post recovery was all in the Amway Hotel. It was beautiful, convenient and the doctors were amazing!”

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State of the art Surgical Facility

Our operating facility is conveniently located on the sixth floor of the Exhibitor’s Building adjacent to the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan. Our surgical facility is accredited by the AAAHC, or the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care, Inc. This association is committed to improving quality care provided to patients by reviewing standards, performance, and safety of our facility.

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Contact Us Today

Contact Plastic Surgery Associates in Grand Rapids, MI today to learn more about arthritis treatments for the hand and wrist. Your first step will be to schedule a consultation appointment with Dr. Krebiehl, our highly trained hand surgeon and plastic surgeon.

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