Arthritis and swelling: When the joints swell like balloons

Last updated 24/02/2024 by The pain clinics - Interdisciplinary Health

Arthritis and swelling: When the joints swell like balloons

Arthritis (rheumatoid arthritis) is a chronic autoimmune rheumatic diagnosis that causes inflammation and swelling in the joints of the body. These symptoms most often affect the hands and feet - but can affect any joint in the body.

Arthritis differs from arthrosis in that this diagnosis affects bilaterally and symmetrically - i.e. that it affects both sides at the same time. For example, arthrosis, osteoarthritis, will usually make itself felt on one side - for example in one knee. In comparison, arthritis will therefore affect both sides at the same time. In addition to this, rheumatoid arthritis causes greater damage to the inflamed joint. Studies have shown that arthritis usually first starts in the feet and ankles.¹ And that the diagnosis particularly affects the smaller joints in the wrists, hands and feet.²

In this article, we will talk more about why such swellings occur - and how you can deal with them, both with self-measures, conservative treatment and medicinal collaboration with your GP and rheumatologist.

Tips: Arthritis often affects the ankles and feet first - and is a common place where rheumatic patients experience swelling. In addition to in the hands. The middle of the article shows chiropractor Alexander Andorff, from the Vondtklinikkene department Lambertseter Chiropractic Center and Physiotherapy in Oslo, presented a training video with good exercises for your hands.

How does arthritis cause swelling?

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune diagnosis. This means that, in this rheumatic condition, the body's own immune system will attack the synovial membrane (joint membrane) - which surrounds the joint. The synovial membrane produces a fluid called synovial fluid that helps our joints move smoothly.

– Accumulation of synovial fluid and subsequent joint erosion

When the immune system attacks the joint membrane, this will cause inflammation and swelling. As a consequence of this, inflamed synovial fluid accumulates inside the joint - and the extent of this helps to determine how big the swelling will be. In more severe cases, it can be very difficult for the affected person to move the joint. Over time, and with repeated attacks, this will lead to joint and cartilage damage (erosion) and weaker ligaments in the joint. It is this process that provides the basis for deformations in the hands and feet in severe and long-term rheumatic arthritis.

Which joints are affected by arthritis?

Joint swelling in arthritis occurs particularly in the following areas:

• Feet and ankles

• Hands and wrists

• Knees

• Hips

• Elbows

• Skuldre

As everyone understands, arthritis can cause extensive changes in function and everyday ability. This is precisely why it is so important to do everything you can, both with your own initiative and in collaboration with clinicians (physiotherapist, doctor and rheumatologist), to help slow down the negative development associated with this rheumatic diagnosis.

Our clinic departments at Vondtklinikkene (click here  for a complete overview of our clinics), including in Oslo (Lambert seats) and Viken (Eidsvoll Sound og Raw wood), has a distinctively high professional competence in the investigation, treatment and rehabilitation of pain in muscles, tendons, nerves and joints. Toe contact us if you want the help of therapists with expertise in these fields.

Simple self-measures can provide a clear improvement

We want to emphasize the importance of getting a good daily routine if you are affected by arthritis. Cooling down with a cold pack, daily circulation exercises and the use of compression stockings have a documented effect when it comes to reducing inflammatory reactions, swelling and joint pain.³ And precisely for this reason, there should be a focus on the fact that these should be part of the daily routine of arthritis patients - in exactly the same way that the importance of taking the given drugs daily is emphasized. We therefore suggest that you try to implement the following three self-measures in your everyday life:

1. Cooling (cryotherapy) for swollen joints

2. Daily circulation exercises

3. Use of compression garments (including gloves and socks)

1. Research: Cooling down swollen joints reduces inflammation and swelling

Studies have shown that cryotherapy, in the form of cooling or ice massage against swollen hands, provides immediate symptom relief and pain relief. The improvement lasted for over an hour.³ In addition to this, it has been documented that local cooling of knee arthritis resulted in an anti-inflammatory effect. Where, among other things, a clear reduction of pro-inflammatory biomarkers was seen when testing after the treatment.⁴ In light of this, we want to focus on the importance of systematic cooling, for example with reusable ice pack, to reduce inflammation and swelling.

Good tip: Reusable ice pack w/ strap (link opens in a new browser window)

A reusable ice pack is far more practical and more environmentally friendly than disposable packs. This can easily be stored in the freezer - and a very practical strap is also included, which makes it easy to apply to all joint areas. Press the image or here to read more about how this reusable ice pack fungus.

2. Daily circulation exercises for hands and feet

It is widely known that arthritis particularly affects the smaller joints in the hands and feet. Research has shown that exercises can have a significant positive effect on hand function for patients with arthritis. Among other things, there was a clear improvement in function in everyday life and minor complaints.⁵ However, unsurprisingly, the study showed that one must continue to do the exercises regularly to maintain the positive effect - as with all other exercise and function. In the video below, we show you an example of a hand training program consisting of seven exercises.

Video: 7 exercises against hand osteoarthritis

This is therefore a hand training program consisting of both stretching and mobility exercises. The program can be executed daily.

3. Use of compression noise

Larger overview studies have concluded that the research supports the use of compression gloves among patients with arthritis. They also indicate that they can be used to reduce pain, joint stiffness and joint swelling in the hands.⁶ This effect also applies to the use of compression socks.

Good tip: Daily use of compression noise (link opens in a new browser window)

A big advantage with compression gloves (and socks for that matter) is that they are so easy to use. In short, just put them on - and the compression garment will do the rest. Click on the image or here to read more about how these the compression gloves fungus.

Comprehensive treatment and rehabilitation therapy for arthritis

We can divide the holistic treatment and rehabilitation of arthritis into several main points. These include:

• Medicinal treatment (through a rheumatologist and GP)

+ DMARDs

+ NSAIDs

+ Biological medicine

• Physical therapy and physiotherapy

+ Muscular work

+ Joint mobilization

+ Dry needling

+ MSK laser therapy

• Diet (anti-inflammatory)

• Adapted rehabilitation therapy

+ Training in a warm water pool

+ Gentle yoga

+ Relaxation techniques and mindfulness

+ Recovery and rest

• Cognitive therapy and support

Summary

For the best possible effect and care for people with arthritis, it is important that they receive a comprehensive and supportive approach. It is very important that the patient is followed up by his GP and rheumatologist, in addition to regular physical follow-up by a physiotherapist for rehabilitation therapy. We also want to emphasize the utility of also addressing daily self-measures, diet and, not least, relaxation in everyday life. Especially considering that we know that stress, overload and poor sleep are three triggers that can worsen arthritis.

- Pain clinics: We can help you with pain in muscles and joints

Our publicly authorized clinicians at our affiliated clinics The pain clinics has a distinctive professional interest and expertise in the investigation, treatment and rehabilitation of muscle, tendon, nerve and joint ailments. We work purposefully to help you find the cause of your pain and symptoms - and then help you get rid of them.

See clinic overview

Join our rheumatism support group

Feel free to join the Facebook group «Rheumatism and Chronic Pain - Norway: Research and news» (Press here) for the latest updates on research and media articles on rheumatic and chronic disorders. Here, members can also get help and support - at all times of the day - through the exchange of their own experiences and advice. Otherwise, we would greatly appreciate it if you would follow us on the Facebook page and Our Youtube channel (the link opens in a new window).

Please share to support those with rheumatism and chronic pain

Hello! Can we ask you a favor? We kindly ask you to like the post on our FB page and to share this article on social media or via your blog (please link directly to the article). We are also happy to exchange links with relevant websites (contact us on Facebook if you want to exchange links with your website). Understanding, general knowledge and increased focus is the first step towards a better everyday life for those with rheumatism and chronic pain diagnoses. So we hope that you will help us with this battle of knowledge!

The pain clinics: Your choice for modern interdisciplinary health

Our clinicians and clinic departments always aim to be among the top elite in the field of investigation, treatment and rehabilitation of pain and injuries in muscles, tendons, nerves and joints. By pressing the button below, you can see an overview of our clinics - including in Oslo (incl Lambert seats) and Viken (Raw wood og Eidsvoll Sound).

Sources and Research

1. Khan et al, 2021. Foot Involvement as the First Manifestation in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients in Lahore. Cureus. 2021 May; 13(5): e15347. [PubMed]

2. Terao et al, 2013. Three groups in the 28 joints for rheumatoid arthritis synovitis–analysis using more than 17,000 assessments in the KURAMA database. PLoS One. 2013;8(3):e59341. [PubMed]

3. Zerjavic et al, 2021. Local Cryotherapy, Comparison of Cold Air and Ice Massage on Pain and Handgrip Strength in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis. Psychiatrist Danube. 2021 Spring-Summer;33(Suppl 4):757-761. [PubMed]

4. Guillot el al, 2021. Local ice cryotherapy decreases synovial interleukin 6, interleukin 1β, vascular endothelial growth factor, prostaglandin-E2, and nuclear factor kappa B p65 in human knee arthritis: a controlled study. Arthritis Res Ther. 2019; 21: 180. [PubMed]

5. Williamson et al, 2017. Hand exercises for patients with rheumatoid arthritis: an extended follow-up of the SARAH randomized controlled trial. BMJ Open. 2017 Apr 12;7(4):e013121. [PubMed]

6. Nasir et al, 2014. Therapy gloves for patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a review. Ther Adv Musculoskeletal Dis. 2014 Dec; 6(6): 226–237. [PubMed]

Article: Arthritis and swelling: When the joints swell like balloons

Written by: Our publicly authorized chiropractors and physiotherapists at Vondtklinikkene

Fact check: Our articles are always based on serious sources, research studies and research journals - such as PubMed and the Cochrane Library. Please contact us if you spot any errors or have comments.

FAQ: Common questions about arthritis and swelling

1. Why should one have an anti-inflammatory diet if one has arthritis?

Anti-inflammatory means anti-inflammatory. An anti-inflammatory diet includes a high focus on foods that have a known content of, among other things, antioxidants - and other nutrients with an anti-inflammatory effect. This can include a diet high in vegetables (such as broccoli and avocado), nuts and fish. The focus should also be on avoiding pro-inflammatory foods - such as cakes and sugary soft drinks.