Health
Arthritis Clue: In the Grip
What's your risk of developing arthritis in the fingers and hand? Researchers say grip strength may hold the clue.
The ability of large knuckles -- connecting the fingers and thumb to the palm -- to grip items firmly was linked by scientists at Boston University Arthritis Center to a risk of osteoarthritis in those joints.
They looked at x-rays of more than 453 individuals and found an increased risk of developing the disorder in men with high maximal grip strength. Women with high strength readings also had an increased risk of developing the disease in the knuckle joints and the base of the thumb.
Researchers say that while the study provides no direct clues to the treatment and prevention of hand osteoarthritis, selective hand-strengthening may help prevent or even forestall development of the disease.
The ability of large knuckles -- connecting the fingers and thumb to the palm -- to grip items firmly was linked by scientists at Boston University Arthritis Center to a risk of osteoarthritis in those joints.
They looked at x-rays of more than 453 individuals and found an increased risk of developing the disorder in men with high maximal grip strength. Women with high strength readings also had an increased risk of developing the disease in the knuckle joints and the base of the thumb.
Researchers say that while the study provides no direct clues to the treatment and prevention of hand osteoarthritis, selective hand-strengthening may help prevent or even forestall development of the disease.
