Thumb - Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis can occur in various parts of the body. This also applies to the thumb. You will notice that you experience pain when you try to pick things up with your fingers and thumb.
The joints in the hand and wrist become stiff and movement becomes painful. Osteoarthritis of the hand mainly affects the upper joints of the fingers and the basal joint of the thumb. Would you like to know more about this disorder? Feel free to read on below.
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Which brace is best for you?
For your convenience we use 3 protection levels, that way you will always pick the right brace.
Level 1: Is colored green, and stands for Basic protection.
Level 2: Is colored orange, and stands for Advanced protection.
Level 3: Is colored red, and stands for Highest protection.
How does osteoarthritis in the thumb develop?
The bone ends of the hand and finger joints are covered with a layer of cartilage, which ensures that the bone parts can glide smoothly past each other. Osteoarthritis of the hand occurs when this layer of cartilage starts to wear down and becomes rough and irregular. This complaint is caused by long-term overloading of the hand joints, injuries to the hand joints, or an autoimmune disease. The thumb is the most frequently used part of the hand and is therefore highly sensitive to wear and tear. The base joint of the thumb, which is formed by the first metacarpal and a carpal bone in the wrist, is where most osteoarthritis occurs.
What are the symptoms of osteoarthritis of the thumb?
Stiff and painful joints are the main symptoms of thumb arthrosis. This may worsen under stress and strain, especially in the morning when getting up. This is also called starting pain. These symptoms usually subside within half an hour. Wear and tear of cartilage is often accompanied by inflammatory reactions. In response, extra bone tissue can grow at the edge of the affected joints. These bone protrusions are clearly visible in the fingers, as the fingers take on a knuckle-like appearance. Patients who suffer from this will have reduced stretching and strength in the fingers. The main symptom is a nagging pain at the base of the thumb. The pain increases with pinching movements, such as unscrewing a lid or opening a lock. These symptoms may also occur when writing.
Who is at increased risk to get osteoarthritis of the thumb?
This condition is more common in women than in men. The complaints often arise after the age of forty. Previous injuries to this joint, such as a fracture, increase the risk of osteoarthritis.
How is osteoarthritis of the thumb diagnosed?
The doctor or specialist can use a physical examination to determine whether there is wear in the thumb joint. During the physical examination, a lump is often felt. Or a grinding sensation can be felt when the bones rub against each other. If there is still any doubt, an X-ray can always provide a conclusive answer.
Which treatment is necessary?
In case of incipient thumb osteoarthritis, the doctor will try as far as possible to treat the wear without surgery. He will try to combat the pain and inflammation and slow down the wear and tear process. This is done by injecting and prescribing anti-inflammatory medication. In cases of thumb osteoarthritis, a support brace may also be applied. This ensures less pain and less wear and tear. This is a sturdy plastic bandage that relieves the thumb. Podobrace has various products for this purpose, such as a thumb brace. In case of advanced complaints, various surgical techniques can be applied. For example, it may be decided to replace the affected joint with an artificial joint. Or the small carpal bone can be removed. After the operation, you will have to follow hand therapy for a few weeks in order to regain full mobility.
