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Thumb Base Arthritis
The joint at the base of the thumb is one of the most common sites of osteoarthritis, particularly in women over fifty. It matters more than its size suggests, because the thumb is involved in nearly every grip. Treatment will not reverse the joint changes, but strengthening, splinting and technique changes make a substantial difference to what you can do with it.
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Does this sound like you?
Most people have several of these, not all of them.
- Aching at the base of the thumb, at the edge of the wrist
- Difficulty opening jars, turning keys and using a can opener
- Weak pinch grip
- Swelling or a squaring-off appearance at the thumb base
- Grinding or clicking on moving the thumb
Why it happens
- Age-related wear, most commonly appearing from the fifties
- Years of heavy or repetitive gripping
- A previous fracture or sprain at the thumb base
- Genetic factors — it frequently runs in families
- More common in women, particularly after menopause
What we would do about it
Roughly in this order — each step waits for the one before it.
- A thumb splint for use during aggravating tasks and at night
- Strengthening the muscles that support the joint, which genuinely changes function
- Joint mobilisation and soft tissue work for pain relief
- Practical aids and technique changes for jars, taps and keys
- Pacing advice for gripping tasks
- Referral for injection or a surgical opinion in advanced cases
See a doctor first if
- Your pain followed a significant injury
- It is getting worse rather than settling
- It comes with numbness, weakness or unexplained weight loss
This page is general information, not a diagnosis. Symptoms overlap between conditions, so the right treatment depends on an assessment.
Strength helps arthritic joints more than rest does
The joint changes are permanent; what you can do with the hand is not. Targeted strengthening and the right splint make a real difference to daily tasks. Ask a question first, or call us on 0403 907 587.
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Other wrist conditions we treat
Related reading: tendon pain in the same area, catching and locking fingers and arthritis in general.
General information only, not advice about your own problem — nothing here replaces an assessment. Source: Osteoarthritis on Physiopedia.
