Our family has been blessed with having been spared cancers, alzheimers, etc., but we've made up for it with osteo and rheumatoid arthritis big time, both parents, grandparents, and all siblings. I have lots of experience with this, especially my own.
Came out of a $60,000 spinal fusion just a couple years ago - lots of hardware, and, yes, my hands trouble me quite a lot if I don't stay after it.
Best advice: Stay moving and apply moist-type heat - and that takes me to the HOT WAX BATH, my swear-by remedy which requires no internal med's nor creams.
You will find the Dr. Scholl's device (which looks similar to an oval-shaped crock pot) at most Wal-Marts or other pharmacies. Runs $30 to $40 and comes with an initial supply of wax to which I add an extra cake or so to make sure it goes well onto my wrists as well. Replacement wax runs $6-7 and if you keep it covered when not in use, you should only need to replace the wax bath once or twice a year.
There are oils in the wax and a very light, pleasant fragrance. You get the wax heated as warm as you can tolerate it (an adjustable dial - takes hours the first time to get all the wax cakes liquified). Then, slowly dip your hand in the warmed wax, holding in there for 20-30 seconds and lift out, holding over the wax. When the shinyness disappears from the drips on your fingers (about 10 seconds), resubmerge your hand - repeat the process 4-5 times, then immediately place your hand into the plastic bags they provide and cover with the "mitten" (also provided). Leave on 15-20 minutes or more. Peel off the now cooled wax and set into the inverted cover while you "treat" the other hand in the remaining hot wax. When you've got the other hand wrapped, replace the peeled-off wax into the bath and turn off the unit. Add back the wax from your second hand too.
This also conditions your skin just beautifully, especially around the nails where in cold weather, some of us have a tendency to develop dryness and painful cracks.
You'll love it.
And, yes, you can use it for arthritic feet and ankles too (Dr. Scholls).