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Thumb (CMC) Arthritis

Thumb CMC (CarpoMetaCarpal) Arthritis
/ Basal Joint Arthritis

Picture
What is Thumb Carpometacarpal (CMC) Arthritis?
  • Osteoarthritis is the wear-and-tear of the nice, smooth articular surface that coats the end of bones and allows the two bones of a joint to slide easily upon each other with movement. 
  • When the cartilage breaks down, it becomes becomes pocked, bone spurs may develop, and the joint space between the bones is lost. 
  • Pain occurs when the bones start rubbing against each other. 
  • The joints can also change position, become unstable, or become misshapen.  A common location for this to occur is at the base of the thumb, known as CMC arthritis or basal joint arthritis.
  • Common Symptoms
    • Pain at the base of your thumb, particularly when gripping, grasping or pinching an object
    • Swelling, stiffness and tenderness at the base of the thumb
    • Decreased strength when pinching or grasping objects
    • Decreased range of motion
    • An enlarged or bony appearance of the joint at the base of your thumb
    • The thumb may begin to "collapse" towards the palm of the hand.

Common Treatments Include:
  • Use of orthotics, splints or braces to position the thumb joint in proper alignment and to support the joints during activity.
  • Implementing Ergonomic Improvements & Activity Modification
    • Use of gadgets and devices (adaptive equipment) to make tasks easier.
    • Using modified techniques to place less stress on the joints (joint protection). 
    • Modifying the flow and pace of how activities are performed in order to minimize muscle fatigue, joint stress, and pain (energy conservation).
  • Use of Heat and cold 
    • Use cold packs for acute pain or swelling.
    • Use heat packs to control more chronic pain or relax the muscles.
  • Wearing compression or Isotoner gloves at night may help control swelling and provide a comforting, neutral warmth.
  • Perform gentle ROM exercises to keep joints as flexible as possible.
  • Use of topical pain relieving creams if helpful and as needed.
  • Modalities such as ultrasound, electrical stimulation and iontophoresis may be helpful to reduce pain and inflammation.
  • Therapeutic taping may be helpful to reduce pain and provide gentle support.
  • A short course of anti-inflammatory medications, such as NSAIDs, may be helpful in the inflammatory stage of arthritis onset as prescribed by an MD or an over-the-counter (Advil, Aleve) if not contraindicated by other medical conditions.
  • A Cortisone injection into the painful area may temporarily reduce inflammation and pain.
  • If conservative treatment methods do not alleviate the symptoms, surgical options may be considered.

Helpful Links:
  • American Society of Hand Therapists (ASHT) - PDF Educational Handout
  • American Society for Surgery of the Hand (ASSH) - Website Information
  • Techniques to Reduce Joint Pain  (ASSH Hand Care Blog) -6 Minute Video, Advice from a Hand Therapist
  • Arthritis Foundation - "Tools and Resources"
  • Arthritis Foundation - **Ease of Work products listed by category (health & wellness, home & hobby, work).
    • **The Arthritis Foundation’s Ease of Use Commendation recognizes products proven to make life easier for people who have arthritis and other physical limitations.
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Photos used under Creative Commons from handarmdoc © Axel Naud
  • Home
  • TELEHEALTH
  • Hand Therapy
    • What does a CHT do?
    • Injuries a CHT Treats
  • Injuries
    • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
    • CMC Arthritis
    • Cubital Tunnel Syndrome
    • DeQuervain Tenosynovitis
    • Distal Radius Fracture
    • Dupuytren Contracture
    • Finger Fracture
    • Ganglion Cyst
    • OsteoArthritis
    • Tennis Elbow/Golfer's Elbow
    • Thumb Sprain
    • Trigger Finger
  • Treatments
    • Mobility - Range of Moition
    • Strengthening
    • Manual Therapy
    • Managing Swelling & Inflammation
    • Managing Pain
    • Managing Scar
    • Heat, Cold & Paraffin
    • Ultrasound
    • Electrical Stimulation
    • Iontophoresis
    • Education
    • Orthotic Fabrication, Splints & Braces
    • Therapeutic Taping
  • Exercises
    • Tendon Gliding Exercises
    • Finger Blocking Exercises
    • Finger Bending Stretches
    • Finger Straightening Exercises
    • Thumb Bending Exercises
    • Thumb Straightening Exercises
    • Wrist Exercises
    • Forearm & Elbow Exercises
    • Nerve Gliding Exercises
    • Computer Stretches
  • Blog
  • Store
  • Contact Us