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Grip Strength and Arthritis
The Science Behind the Connection
Arthritis, a common condition causing joint pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility, often affects the hands. This can lead to a decline in grip strength, impacting daily activities and overall well-being. But the relationship between grip strength and arthritis goes beyond just discomfort.
Arthritis, a common condition causing joint pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility, often affects the hands. This can lead to a decline in grip strength, impacting daily activities and overall well-being. But the relationship between grip strength and arthritis goes beyond just discomfort.
How Arthritis Affects Grip Strength
Here's a breakdown of their relationship:
Pain and Stiffness:
Arthritis can cause pain and stiffness in the joints, making it difficult to grip objects firmly. (Source: Hoozemans et al., 2004)
Joint Damage:
The inflammation and damage to the joints caused by arthritis can weaken the muscles and tendons that control grip. (Source: Arden & Nevitt, 2006)
Reduced Hand Function:
This can make everyday tasks like opening jars, turning doorknobs, and writing challenging, impacting quality of life. (Source: Neogi, 2013)
Why Grip Strength Matters in Arthritis
Despite the challenges, maintaining grip strength is crucial for people with arthritis.
Maintaining Independence:
A strong grip is essential for performing daily tasks and maintaining independence.
Managing Pain:
Strengthening the muscles around the affected joints can actually help reduce pain and stiffness. (Source: Kjeken et al., 2019)
Slowing Progression:
Some studies suggest that maintaining grip strength may help slow the progression of arthritis in the hands. (Source: Lau et al., 2012)
Overall Health:
Grip strength is linked to overall health and well-being. People with stronger grips tend to have a lower risk of other health problems, such as heart disease and diabetes.
Further Information
Key Takeaway
Grip strength is an important factor to consider for people with arthritis. It can serve as an indicator of disease progression and overall hand function.
Maintaining and improving grip strength through targeted exercises and a healthy lifestyle can help individuals with arthritis manage their condition, improve their quality of life, and maintain their independence.
Maintaining and improving grip strength through targeted exercises and a healthy lifestyle can help individuals with arthritis manage their condition, improve their quality of life, and maintain their independence.
Sources:
Arden, N., & Nevitt, M. C. (2006).15 Osteoarthritis: Epidemiology. Best Practice & Research Clinical Rheumatology, 20(1), 3-25.
Chang, S.-Y., Han, B.-D., Han, K.-D., Park, H.-J., & Kang, S. (2023). Relation between Handgrip Strength and Quality of Life in Patients with Arthritis in Korea: The Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2015–2018. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(16), 7622. Source
Coppers, B., Heinrich, S., Bayat, S., Tascilar, K., Kleyer, A., Simon, D., Minopoulou, I., Corte, G., Fagni, F., Schönau, V., Bohr, D., Leyendecker, S., Schett, G., & Liphardt, A. M. (2023). AB0208 Reduced Hand Function Indicates Higher Disease Activity in Patients with Rheumatoid and Psoriatic Arthritis. Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, 82(Suppl 1), 703.1-703. Source
Hoozemans, M. J. M., van der Beek, A. J., Fransen, J., et al. (2004). Too much or too little grip force? The relationship between hand grip strength, wrist posture and hand/wrist complaints: a systematic review. Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 61(8), 668–674.
Chang, S.-Y., Han, B.-D., Han, K.-D., Park, H.-J., & Kang, S. (2023). Relation between Handgrip Strength and Quality of Life in Patients with Arthritis in Korea: The Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2015–2018. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(16), 7622. Source
Coppers, B., Heinrich, S., Bayat, S., Tascilar, K., Kleyer, A., Simon, D., Minopoulou, I., Corte, G., Fagni, F., Schönau, V., Bohr, D., Leyendecker, S., Schett, G., & Liphardt, A. M. (2023). AB0208 Reduced Hand Function Indicates Higher Disease Activity in Patients with Rheumatoid and Psoriatic Arthritis. Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, 82(Suppl 1), 703.1-703. Source
Hoozemans, M. J. M., van der Beek, A. J., Fransen, J., et al. (2004). Too much or too little grip force? The relationship between hand grip strength, wrist posture and hand/wrist complaints: a systematic review. Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 61(8), 668–674.
Kjeken, I., Olsen, M. F., Mengshoel, A. M., et al. (2019).16 Exercise therapy for hand osteoarthritis: a systematic review. Hand Therapy, 24(1), 3–15.
Lau, E. M. C., Almeida, S. A., Dias, R. C., et al. (2012). Handgrip strength is associated with radiographic hand osteoarthritis in women. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage, 20(12), 1665–1670.
Mayo Clinic. (n.d.). Rheumatoid arthritis - Diagnosis. Source
Neogi, T. (2013). The epidemiology and impact of pain in osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage, 21(9), 1145–1153.
NHS. (n.d.). Osteoarthritis - Treatment. Source Source Source
Ask the Doctors. (2023, December 18). Grip strength an important biomarker for assessing health. UCLA Health. Source
Lau, E. M. C., Almeida, S. A., Dias, R. C., et al. (2012). Handgrip strength is associated with radiographic hand osteoarthritis in women. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage, 20(12), 1665–1670.
Mayo Clinic. (n.d.). Rheumatoid arthritis - Diagnosis. Source
Neogi, T. (2013). The epidemiology and impact of pain in osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage, 21(9), 1145–1153.
NHS. (n.d.). Osteoarthritis - Treatment. Source Source Source
Ask the Doctors. (2023, December 18). Grip strength an important biomarker for assessing health. UCLA Health. Source