Gently exercising your fingers and thumbs with a hand workout can improve their range of motion and decrease arthritis symptoms. It’s one of the best ways to maintain function and independence.
Can you reverse arthritis in your thumb?
While there is no cure for arthritis in your thumb, there are various simple treatments that can help relieve symptoms for many people. Talk with a doctor or physical therapist about which treatments might work best for you.
What triggers thumb arthritis?
Thumb arthritis commonly occurs with aging. Previous trauma or injury to the thumb joint also can cause thumb arthritis. In a normal thumb joint, cartilage covers the ends of the bones — acting as a cushion and allowing the bones to glide smoothly against each other.
How do you fix thumb arthritis?
Ligament Reconstruction and Tendon Interposition (LRTI)
In use for more than 40 years, LRTI is the most commonly performed surgery for thumb arthritis. The damaged joint surfaces are removed and replaced with a cushion of tissue that keeps the bones separated.
Should you exercise arthritic thumb? – Related Questions
Why is arthritis in the thumb so painful?
The cartilage cushions the two bones, preventing any friction during movement. In people with thumb arthritis, the cartilage wears away. Without this barrier between them, the two bones rub together. As the bones rub together, they create friction and damage the joint, causing pain, inflammation, and other symptoms.
What does basal thumb arthritis look like?
Appearance. The thumb may appear swollen, especially at its base, and you may develop a bony bump. Overall, the base of the thumb can take on an enlarged appearance. One alarming sign of thumb arthritis is improper alignment of the joint as it shifts from its normal positioning.
What are the first signs of arthritis in thumb?
What are the symptoms of thumb arthritis?
- Swelling and tenderness at the base of the thumb.
- An ache after prolonged use of the thumb.
- Loss of strength when gripping or pinching with your thumb.
- Limited motion.
How do I know if I’ve got arthritis in my thumb?
The main symptoms of osteoarthritis are pain and stiffness in your joints, which can make it difficult to move the affected joints and do certain activities. The symptoms may come and go in episodes, which can be related to your activity levels and even the weather. In more severe cases, the symptoms can be continuous.
Does massage help thumb arthritis?
Studies have shown that having a professional hand massage just once a week, and doing self-massage once a day, may help reduce the pain associated with many conditions, including arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and neuropathy.
Can Basal thumb arthritis heal?
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.
What does basal joint arthritis feel like?
The first thing you may notice is swelling and pain in the joint of the thumb, accompanied by aching and tenderness and loss of strength. There may also be a visible growth or bump at the joint as the result of bone spurs. A physical examination by the doctor will confirm this diagnosis.
Is arthritis at the base of the thumb common?
In the hand, the second most common joint to develop osteoarthritis is the joint at the base of the thumb.
When should you have basal thumb surgery?
Chi says the ideal patient for the LRTI procedure is “someone with painful arthritis at the thumb basal joint who wants to preserve thumb motion and decrease pain.” However, he adds, “we do not recommend this for patients younger than 45 who have heavy, manual jobs. Those patients are better off with fusion surgery.”
Are you put to sleep for thumb surgery?
General anesthesia may be used during some hand surgeries depending on the specifications of the surgery as well as the patient’s needs. For example, general anesthesia may be preferred if the surgery is expected to take a long time to perform.
How painful is thumb surgery?
Because of the smaller incisions, there is only mild surgical pain, and many patients only require oral pain medicine for the first few days after surgery. Because the procedure is minimally invasive, stability of the thumb base is maintained and additional incisions for using your own tendon are not needed.
Do you need a cast after thumb surgery?
After surgery, your thumb will be placed in a cast for three to four weeks, followed by a plastic splint for four to six weeks. Typically, it takes between six and eight weeks to regain full movement in your thumb.
How long does thumb surgery take?
Those procedures can now be performed under local anesthesia — your hand is numbed so you feel no pain, but you aren’t fully sedated. “Patients can be in and out typically within 45 minutes,” said Daniel London, MD, a hand and wrist surgeon.
How soon can I drive after thumb surgery?
It is never a good idea to drive yourself home from surgery, as anesthesia can slow reflexes, slow your thought processes, and can even cause amnesia in the hours following surgery. In fact, you should refrain from driving for the first 24 to 48 hours after receiving anesthesia.
