Hand and Wrist Osteoarthritis Pathway

Start your treatment and watch your symptoms

As you try different treatment options, remember that if something doesn’t work the way you thought it would, think about other options. Talk with your healthcare provider to find what will work for you.

Clarify with your healthcare team what follow-up communication to expect. Connect with your healthcare team whenever you:

have questions
notice your symptoms getting worse
have problems with your medicine
haven’t gotten test results or heard back about an appointment in the time you had agreed to

Get medical help now

Contact your healthcare provider or call Health Link at 811 if you have:

pain that wakes you at night (this may happen with more advanced osteoarthritis)
changes in your pain patterns, like pain that is getting worse
sudden, unexplained swelling, warmth, or pain in any joint
joint pain with a fever or rash
joints that are too painful to use
feeling generally unwell or having a fever
a mass that develops

Hand and wrist osteoarthritis pathway map

Hand and Wrist Osteoarthritis Pathway

Download or print the full patient pathway (PDF) and summary (one-page PDF) to learn more about how to manage and treat osteoarthritis in the hand and wrist.
Patient Pathway Summary

Current as of: May 22, 2026

Author: Provincial Pathways Unit, Primary Care Alberta, and Alberta Health Services

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This material is not a substitute for the advice of a qualified health professional. This material is intended for general information only and is provided on an "as is", "where is" basis. Although reasonable efforts were made to confirm the accuracy of the information, Alberta Health Services does not make any representation or warranty, express, implied or statutory, as to the accuracy, reliability, completeness, applicability or fitness for a particular purpose of such information. Alberta Health Services expressly disclaims all liability for the use of these materials, and for any claims, actions, demands or suits arising from such use.

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