Is your thumb pain restricting you from participating in your daily activities?

Are you having pain in the thumb when opening jars, turning a door knob, or find your thumb pain is exacerbated in the wintery months but are unsure of the cause? It could be due to base of thumb osteoarthritis (OA). OA at the base of the thumb can cause you to feel pain and weakness when you try to pinch objects (using your thumb and index finger) or when you try to grasp objects. Osteoarthritis is the most common chronic joint disease, affecting approximately 1.3 million Australians- almost 7% of the Australian population. OA can affect any joint of the body but in relation to our hands it occurs most often in the small joints of the fingers and at the base of the thumb. In normal joints, a firm, rubbery material called cartilage covers the end of each bone. Cartilage acts as a cushion for the joint and provides a gliding surface to allow for joint movement. In OA, the cartilage breaks down, causing pain, swelling and problems associated with movement of that joint.

OA at the base of the thumb is typically part of the ageing process associated with wear and tear of the joint. The degenerative OA process begins in our 30’s and 40’s but you may not feel pain until later in life. Base of thumb pain is most common in older adults 50+ and along with increasing age, risk factors include obesity, previous joint injury, overuse of the joint and our genetic makeup.

So is there anything that can be done to help with my base of thumb pain? The answer is YES! Getting a current x-ray of your hand will assist with determining the degree of OA at the base of thumb joint. Depending on the severity of OA at the base of thumb joint and the level of thumb pain treatment options are very individualised. There are various treatment options available to help with your base of thumb pain ranging from splinting, the use of modalities and a tailored home exercise program to name a few. If you would like your thumb assessed call Geelong Hand Therapy to arrange an appointment.