The following exercises may be helpful to help keep your fingers moving well when you have hand osteoarthritis. If your hands are very stiff, try a warm water soak or paraffin bath for 15 minutes before starting the exercises. Flatten your hand and stretch your fingers and thumb as straight as you can. Reach the tip of your thumb across to try to touch the base of your pinky finger and then stretch your thumb out away from the rest of your fingers. Try to make an L shape between the thumb and index finger, keeping the whole hand flat. Hold for 3 to 5 seconds. Repeat 5 to 10 times trying to make the L shape wider each time. If it is hard to make an L shape or to make your hand flat, try one of the following exercises to soften the web space. Use a small rubber ball to massage the muscle in the web space between the thumb and the index finger. Roll the ball gently, holding pressure in areas that feel tight until the muscle releases. It should feel similar to massaging a knot in your neck or back, but should not be painful. You can also stretch the muscle in the web space by placing one hand against the other, web space to web space. Hold for 30 seconds to warm the web space, then push both hands against each other, holding pressure for another 30 seconds. Relax and repeat the exercise two more times. A kitchen clip can also be used to apply pressure to the muscles in the web space. You should feel pressure but not pain when the clip is on. Leave the clip on for 3 to 5 minutes. It is important to release or soften the muscles in the first web space before moving on to strengthening exercises. To strengthen the muscles that support the thumb, make an O shape by touching the tip of the thumb to the tip of the index finger. Keep all of the joints in the thumb bent to make the circle as round as possible. You should be able to see two knuckle bumps in the thumb. If it is too difficult to reach the thumb to the index finger, start by touching the tip of the thumb to the tip of the pinky finger and work your way over to the index finger. If you cannot make the circle round, use your other hand to gently push the thumb knuckles out and then make an O. Make away the support hand and work to hold the O while applying very gentle pressure through the fingertips. It is more important to do these exercises carefully and correctly rather than to do lots of them. Even exercise makes your hands more painful, stop and consult with an occupational therapist or physiotherapist. With your fingers and wrists straight, you can do these exercises with your hand in the air or flat in your lap. First, curl the tips of your fingers down to try to touch the base of your fingers. Keep your wrist and knuckles straight and your thumb relaxed. Now bend your knuckles to roll into a gentle fist. Bring your fingertips to make a straight fist. Turn to the starting position. Repeat 5-10 times on each air. If you cannot touch your fingertips to the base of your fingers, gently use your other hand to encourage the fingers to bend. If this exercise makes your hands more painful, stop and consult with an occupational therapist or physiotherapist.