Conveniently located throughout Melbourne and Gippsland
No referral needed
Are you experiencing an occasional “ring” of pain around the base of your thumb, especially when gripping, pinching, pruning or typing? Don’t worry, you’ve come to the right place.
REFERRAL
Within 1 week
IMAGING
Suggest X-ray, Ultrasound
MANAGEMENT
Thermoplastic water proof orthosis – Short opponens thumb water proof orthosis to correct 1st CMC angle. Water proof orthosis ongoing as required for pain management. Strengthening of the thenar eminence. Proprioception re-training.
WHAT IS THUMB ARTHRITIS?
Thumb arthritis is a very common condition that involves the carpometacarpal joint of the thumb. This joint is made up of the Metacarpal and the Trapezium bone. The joint is really important in thumb function and the thumb is 60% of all hand function. This makes the carpometacarpal joint very commonly damaged.
Thumb arthritis is wear and tear of the joint. As we use our thumbs we put a large amount of stress through the joint and this damages the ligaments that stabilise the joint and then rubs away the cartilage in the joint. Women are more likely to suffer thumb arthritis than men and interestingly it is more common to have pain in your non-dominant hand than your dominant one.
THUMB ARTHRITIS DIAGNOSIS & SYMPTOMS
When people have thumb arthritis they describe a “ring” of pain around the base of the thumb near the wrist. Initially the pain is occasional and it is often when you have been doing heavy gripping or activities like pinching or pruning. Gardening often sets off the pain. Typing can also cause thumb arthritis pain.
The injury initially presents as an instability in younger women and then as we get older more of the cartilage wears away and in over 50-year-olds it is more of a joint degeneration. Diagnosis is best done by physical examination, strength testing and X-rays. The Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists at Action Rehab can refer you for X-rays if required and our experienced Hand Therapists, Occupational Therapists and Physiotherapists can assess the severity of the arthritis or instability.
Call us on 1300 762 227 for an appointment, or schedule an appointment online by clicking the button below.
Our Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists have extensive knowledge and experience in assessing, diagnosing, treating, and managing your hand and upper extremity – your shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hand – injuries or conditions, so you know you’re in good hands.
The hand therapists at Action Rehab are experienced in the assessment and treatment of thumb arthritis. With a reputation endorsed by sporting organisations like the Melbourne Football Club, Action Rehab is the smart choice for treating your thumb arthritis.
- No referral needed
- Nonsurgical treatment prioritised where possible
- Working with some of Melbourne’s top sporting clubs
Get on the road to recovery, so you can do the things you love.
TREATMENT FOR THUMB ARTHRITIS - CARPOMETACARPAL OSTEOARTHRITIS
Thumb arthritis and thumb instability are treated initially with a custom thumb brace. Hand Therapists at Action Rehab are experts in the fabrication of these orthoses, and they can advise you on when and how to wear them. The goal of the splint is to hold the carpometacarpal joint in the most comfortable position and take stress and pressure off the joint.
Once the brace has relieved the pain and reduced the swelling in the joint then the Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists at Action Rehab will instruct you in exercises that help to stabilise the joint and reduce the pain. All treatment is designed to stabilise the joint, firstly in the brace and then by using the muscles around the thumb that hold the carpometacarpal joint in position.
DOES THUMB ARTHRITIS REQUIRE SURGERY?
Rarely does Thumb Arthritis require surgery. In the rare occasion where surgery may be required, we will be able to advise you on whom the most appropriate surgeon is for you to see.
See below for treatment for a patient who has Thumb arthritis.
Fig 1: Basic Treatment
A brace being used to treat thumb arthritis pain. It does not support the thumb joint, and does not allow for motion of movement for exercising the hand.
Fig 2: Action Rehab Treatment
A custom splint to alleviate the stress and pressure on the thumb joint. It is lightweight, waterproof and comfortable to wear, supporting hand stability exercises.
To Book Call Us On 1300 762 227
Call us on 1300 762 227 for an appointment, or schedule an appointment online by clicking the button below.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT THERAPIST FOR THUMB ARTHRITIS
It is important when you have thumb arthritis that you choose Action Rehab for your treatment. Therapists at Action Rehab have experience in the assessment and treatment of thumb arthritis.
Your Hand therapist will take you through a thorough treatment program that includes thumb joint stabilisation with splinting, stability exercises that restore the function of the hand.
THUMB ARTHRITIS FAQS
Base of thumb joint pain and instability is very common in women. Many women mistake it as Carpal Tunnel syndrome or just think they need to put up with or have surgery. This instability leads to joint degeneration and arthritis if left untreated for a period of time. The sooner you seek treatment from a Physiotherapist or Occupational Therapist then the less degeneration there is in the joint and the better your treatment outcomes.
Thumb arthritis is caused by instability of the ligaments of the base of the thumb, load of the muscles of the thumb, overuse of the thumb joint and then degeneration of the cartilage of the joint. Generally it happens in the non-dominant hand because it is our “holding hand” and will often hold the load while our dominant hand does the fine motor tasks. It may also be more common in the non-dominant hand because our core stabilisers are weaker in our non-dominant side.
Thumb instability is the initial symptom of thumb degeneration and then this can lead to thumb arthritis. Younger active women may be experiencing thumb pain while going to the gym, doing yoga, gardening or typing. The sooner you seek treatment from a Hand Therapist for this condition then the better the likelihood of a good recovery.
Rarely does Thumb Arthritis require surgery. In the rare occasion where surgery may be required, we will be able to advise you on whom the most appropriate surgeon is for you to see.
The thumb makes up 60% of hand function so injury, pain, swelling and instability of the thumb can mean that a person might lose 60% of their function. This is a very serious and debilitating injury. The sooner thumb instability is treated then the better the result and the less degeneration there will be in the joint.
Unfortunately thumb arthritis will only get worse if you leave it untreated. Thumb degeneration leads to cartilage loss and then if it continues this can lead to subluxation of the joint and eventual dislocation. This is called a “step deformity”. A step deformity is where the Trapezium bone and the thumb Metacarpal bone dissociate themselves from each other, dislocating and causing a step in the base of the thumb at the wrist.
BOOK AN APPOINTMENT NOW
Action Rehab provide assessment and treatment for all conditions relating to the upper limb, including thumb arthritis. Come and see our highly qualified and friendly staff today at a location convenient to you.
