Tramadol Pills For Pain relief If you have been experiencing regular and persistent pain in your hands, you may wonder if arthritis is the reason. The two most common form of arthritis is osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). OA is a degenerative arthritis which is caused by wear and tear of the joints. OA and RA share many symptoms in common. Moreover there are other less common types of arthritis which is caused by the inflammation of the joints. Exercises for the Thumbs: The doctor or the physiotherapist may suggest you hand exercises.