Healthline.com
For basal joint arthritis, the first line of treatment is generally anti-inflammatory medications and bracing. A brace leaves your wrist free but immobilizes the bottom of your thumb, only allowing the last joint in your thumb to move. Other non-surgical treatment options include:
Medicalnewstoday.com
Nonsurgical treatment If arthritis is diagnosed early, it often responds to treatment without surgery. Your doctor may put a splint on your thumb for 3 to 6 weeks. This limits movement and helps reduce the inflammation. You may get relief by putting an ice pack on the thumb often. You may be given a pain medicine such as acetaminophen.
Top10homeremedies.com
Non-surgical Treatment Place ice packs over the joint for about 5 – 15 minutes several times a day. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS)such as aspirin and Ibuprofen will help to reduce the joint inflammation... If NSAIDs do not work anymore, consider the use of splints. It is recommended ...
How long is recovery from basal joint surgery?
Nov 09, 2017 · Basal Joint Arthritis: Evaluation, Treatment, and Postop Expectations Evaluation. Patients often present with pain, instability, or weakness associated with pinch motions or activities where... Nonsurgical and Surgical Treatment Options. Symptomatic patients with early-stage arthritis usually ...
What is the best joint supplement for arthritis?
A thumb CMC joint reconstruction (CMC arthroplasty) procedure can be performed for those with moderate or severe arthritis that are not improving with nonoperative treatments. The most common variation of this procedure (LRTI procedure) involves removing the arthritic joint surface at the base of the thumb through a small incision, and then stabilizing the base of the thumb …
What is recovery time for basal joint arthroplasty?
Basal Joint Arthritis Treatment Benefits of Hand Massage for Arthritis – For those with hand pain (including pain associated with arthritis), regular hand massage has been proven to decrease anxiety, improve strength and reduce pain. Thumb arthritis can occur from normal wear and tear.
Do injections work for basal arthritis?
Jun 18, 2020 · Treatment Medication. Splint. A splint can support your joint and limit the movement of your thumb and wrist. You might wear a splint just at... Injections. If pain relievers and a splint aren't effective, your doctor might recommend injecting a long-acting... Surgery. If you don't respond to other ...
Is there a cure for arthritis in the basal ribs?
While there is no cure for basal joint arthritis, there are simple treatments that effectively relieve the symptoms in many individuals. These treatments, including splints, heat and cold, joint protection techniques, and gentle motion, can all be used independently following instruction by a therapist.
Why is it important to protect the basal joint?
Because osteoarthritis of the basal joint is a chronic condition, it is important to protect and avoid irritating the joint. There are a number of products and techniques that can be used to decrease stress on the joint. Symptoms of basal joint arthritis tend to be aggravated by forceful or repetitive pinching, grasping, and twisting.
What is the most common type of arthritis?
Osteoarthritis, the most common type of arthritis, frequently affects the joint at the base of the thumb where it meets the wrist. Known as basal joint arthritis or basal thumb arthritis, this condition is more common in women than men and is associated with aging.
How to treat a swollen hand?
The goal of therapy is to teach individuals with this condition how to control pain and swelling and improve hand function. Treatments include splints, education in joint protection techniques, home use of heat and cold, and in some cases, gentle exercise. For most individuals, only one or two visits are required.
What is the best treatment for arthritis in the hand?
A physician or surgeon specializing in the treatment of hand problems such as basal joint arthritis may recommend oral anti-inflammatory medication, injections, and in the most severe cases, surgery.
Why do you need a splint for your thumb?
Removable splints for the basal joint of the thumb are used for two primary purposes: providing support to improve hand function and providing rest to decrease inflammation and pain. Based on an assessment of the individual, a therapist determines what type of splint is most likely to help.
What is the pain in the thumb?
Basal joint arthritis is a chronic condition that develops gradually. The most common symptoms are thumb pain and stiffness. Contrary to what one might expect, individuals having more pain do not necessarily have more severe arthritis. The pain of basal joint arthritis is frequently due to inflammation in the joint.
What is the first line of treatment for arthritis of the basal joint?
For basal joint arthritis, the first line of treatment is generally anti-inflammatory medications and bracing. A brace leaves your wrist free but immobilizes the bottom of your thumb, only allowing the last joint in your thumb to move.
How to treat arthritis in thumb?
Other non-surgical treatment options include: 1 Custom splint - Our hand therapists will make a mold of your hand to custom create a brace to fit your hand. 2 Injection - If the thumb brace and anti-inflammatory medications are not helping, then the next option is an injection into the base of the thumb. For those with very mild arthritis, one injection can often provide up to a year of relief.
What is the pain in the base of the thumb?
Basal joint arthritis is a very common type of arthritis that affects the part of the thumb that’s right next to your wrist. It occurs when cartilage wears away from the ends of the bones that form the joint at the base of your thumb. It causes pain, especially when you try to pinch or grab things. Also called thumb arthritis, this condition ...
What is joint fusion?
A joint fusion joins or "welds together" the two bones that make up your arthritic thumb joint. A fusion keeps the diseased joint from moving so that pain is eliminated.
How to treat arthritis in thumb?
If arthritis is diagnosed early, it often responds to treatment without surgery. Your doctor may put a splint on your thumb for 3 to 6 weeks. This limits movement and helps reduce the inflammation. You may get relief by putting an ice pack on the thumb often. You may be given a pain medicine such as acetaminophen. You may also be given oral anti-inflammatory medicine, such as ibuprofen or aspirin. Your healthcare provider may give you prescription medicines for certain causes of your arthritis. If your symptoms don’t get better, your healthcare provider may give you injections of an anti-inflammatory medicine such as cortisone right into the joint . Or he or she may give you a different injected medicine.
How long does it take for a thumb to heal?
First your hand will be wrapped in a dressing. Then you’ll have a cast or a splint on your thumb for 4 to 8 weeks. Occasionally, the healthcare provider will put a pin in place during the procedure. These help keep the thumb stable while it heals. Once you can move your thumb, your healthcare provider will give you exercises, or refer you to a physical therapist. Exercises and PT help strengthen the muscles and make the joint more flexible. Full recovery may take several months.
What is tendon graft surgery?
In a tendon graft surgery, the surgeon removes the diseased joint. Then the joint is rebuilt, usually with a piece of tendon (graft) taken from your arm or wrist. Your arm is numbed (anesthetized) so you don’t feel anything during surgery. You can usually go home the day of surgery. Other surgeries include rebuilding a ligament, complete joint replacement, or bone fusion. Talk with your surgeon about the treatment best for you.
Is there research on basal thumb arthritis?
Considerable research on basal thumb arthritis and its treatment is underway. At HSS, Dr. Hotchkiss is presently involved in a number of studies, including those in which treatment with viscosupplementation (hyaluronic acid) is being compared to corticosteroid injections and to administration of a placebo.
Can you have fusion of thumb and basal thumb?
Patients who do not respond to non-operative treatment and/or have significant subluxation of the joint may be advised to consider surgery for basal thumb arthritis. According to Dr. Hotchkiss, orthopedic surgeons have yet to reach consensus on the optimal approach. For some patients, particularly those individuals who want to maintain a strong grip, fusion of the two bones may be appropriate. While this procedure also offers effective pain relief, it limits mobility to a considerable degree.
How to treat a swollen joint?
Place ice packs over the joint for about 5 – 15 minutes several times a day. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS)such as aspirin and Ibuprofen will help to reduce the joint inflammation and swelling thus the pain. If NSAIDs do not work anymore, consider the use of splints.
What is the arthritis of the thumb called?
Basal joint arthritis is the arthritis of the thumb. For this reason, it is also known as thumb arthritis. A joint is where 2 bones meet. These ends of the bones are covered with a smooth cartilage to allow the 2 bones to move over each other easily. Without this, the bones will rub against each other with friction ultimately damaging ...
Is thumb arthritis painful?
It is a very painful condition causing a burning and aching sensation sometimes joint muscle pain. Most people find it difficult gripping certainly something like opening a lid of a jar bottle which takes two hands and a fairly forceful grip. People with thumb arthritis find it difficult to do this .
Can you use a splint at night?
It is recommended to use a soft splint during the day and a rigid splint at night while you are sleeping. This provides the thumb some rest and help to reduce the inflammation of the hand. If there is no response for splinting as well, the next step would be a cortisone injection.
How long does it take for a joint to heal after surgery?
All these will depend on what the surgeon sees during surgery. Following surgery, it will take approximately 6 months to 1 year to recover completely and regain full function.
How long does it take for a syringe to heal?
All these will depend on what the surgeon sees during surgery. Following surgery, it will take approximately 6 months to 1 year to recover completely and regain full function. Your doctor will discuss with you and decide on the best treatment for you.
What is the condition of the thumb?
Basal joint arthritis , also known as thumb arthritis is the inflammation and swelling of the basal joint in your thumb. Women over 40 years of age and people with a past history of fracture or injury to the thumb are more likely to develop thumb arthritis. It is a very painful condition associated with swelling, limited movements of the thumb and difficulty in gripping objects. The treatment for thumb arthritis will vary from the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to surgery. Surgery will be considered in those who tend to have more frequent flares of the disease.
What is the second most common location for osteoarthritis in the wrist and hand?
The basal (carpometacarpal) joint is the second most common location for osteoarthritis in the wrist and hand, and is the most common arthritic condition of ...
How long does it take to recover from a thumb spica cast?
At the time of surgery, the patient will be placed in a short-arm splint. The splint will be removed at the first postoperative visit and replaced by a short arm thumb spica cast. Three to 4 weeks after the procedure, the cast is removed and active range-of-motion therapy begins. Strengthening begins around 6 to 8 weeks after surgery. The majority of patients return to most activities by 3 months after surgery. Full recovery of normal activities may require up to 6 months.
How long does it take for a thumb spica cast to be removed?
The splint will be removed at the first postoperative visit and replaced by a short arm thumb spica cast. Three to 4 weeks after the procedure, the cast is removed and active range-of-motion therapy begins. Strengthening begins around 6 to 8 weeks after surgery.
How long does it take to recover from a cast?
The majority of patients return to most activities by 3 months after surgery. Full recovery of normal activities may require up to 6 months.
How long does it take to recover from a thumb splint?
One important consideration for timing of this procedure is that the recovery process usually takes about three months to regain functional use of the thumb. Thumb splinting and hand therapy are required postoperatively for optimal results.
What is the most common type of arthritis?
Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis and is a degenerative breakdown of the joint cartilage over time. Less common forms of arthritis include damage to the joint due to injuries (post-traumatic arthritis), and inflammatory arthritis (rheumatoid, gout, psoriatic).
How many joints are there in the hand?
There are 36 joints in the hand and wrist, and several sites that are commonly affected by arthritis. The joints are lined by a smooth white material called cartilage. Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis and is a degenerative breakdown of the joint cartilage over time.
Where is the CMC joint?
The CMC joint (also called the basal joint) at the base of the thumb is commonly affected by arthritis. It is the thumb joint located deep in the heel of the palm where the thumb metacarpal joins with a wrist bone called the trapezium. It is more common in women than men, and may start becoming symptomatic in some patients as early as their 30’s ...
What causes thumb CMC?
There is still much that is unknown about what causes thumb CMC osteoarthritis. Genetic and hormonal factors are thought to play a role. Certain forceful repetitive “pinching” activities may either contribute to or aggravate the CMC arthritis
How to treat arthritis in thumb?
Treatment. In the early stages of thumb arthritis, treatment usually involves a combination of non-surgical therapies. If your thumb arthritis is severe, surgery might be necessary.
What is the best medication for joint pain?
Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) or naproxen sodium (Aleve)
What does a doctor look for in a joint?
During a physical exam, your doctor will ask about your symptoms and look for noticeable swelling or lumps on your joints. Your doctor might hold your joint while moving your thumb, with pressure, against your wrist bone. If this movement produces a grinding sound, or causes pain or a gritty feeling, the cartilage has likely worn down, ...
What are the symptoms of arthritis in the thumb?
Imaging techniques, usually X-rays, can reveal signs of thumb arthritis, including: Bone spurs. Worn-down cartilage. Loss of joint space.
What to do if your thumb is hurting from a splint?
If pain relievers and a splint aren't effective, your doctor might recommend injecting a long-acting corticosteroid into your thumb joint. Corticosteroid injections can offer temporary pain relief and reduce inflammation.
What is the purpose of a splint?
A splint can support your joint and limit the movement of your thumb and wrist. You might wear a splint just at night or throughout the day and night. Splints can help: Decrease pain. Encourage proper positioning of your joint while you complete tasks. Rest your joint.
Introduction
Symptoms
Treatment
Splints
Joint Protection Education
Heat and Cold Modalities
Do Hand Exercises Help?
Conclusion
- While there is no cure for basal joint arthritis, there are simple treatments that effectively relieve the symptoms in many individuals. These treatments, including splints, heat and cold, joint protection techniques, and gentle motion, can all be used independently following instruction by a therapist. Updated: 11/4/2009
Overview
Diagnosing and Managing Basal Thumb Arthritis
Nonsurgical Treatment Options
- Nonsurgical treatment options for basal joint arthritis include the use of oral medications or the injection of corticosteroid into the joint. These injections can be quite helpful and often provide relief for several months. Patients commonly worry about the frequency or quantity of these injections. However, with well documented safety, many pati...
Surgical Treatment Options
Looking to The Future