Thumb Arthritis Explained: What You Need to Know For Better Care
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Thumb arthritis is a degenerative joint condition that may impact daily activities. It can cause pain, stiffness, and reduced grip strength, making tasks like opening jars or typing more difficult. Without appropriate management, symptoms may progress over time, potentially leading some individuals to consider surgical options.
While surgery is an option for some, it may not be suitable for everyone due to recovery time and associated risks. Advances in non-surgical approaches provide an alternative. These targeted treatments may help reduce inflammation and support joint function, offering individuals additional options for managing symptoms without surgery.
Anatomy Of The Carpometacarpal CMC Joint
The carpometacarpal (CMC) joint of the thumb is located between the wrist bones (carpals) and the base of the thumb (metacarpal). Often called the basal joint, it allows for a wide range of motion, including gripping, pinching, and rotating objects. Its saddle-shaped structure provides both stability and mobility, making it essential for many daily activities.
Frequent use and the considerable forces exerted during movement make this joint susceptible to wear and tear. Over time, the protective cartilage cushioning the joint can break down, resulting in the pain and stiffness commonly associated with thumb arthritis. The trapezium, a small wrist bone at the CMC joint’s base, is essential for function and often affected by arthritis.
How Thumb Arthritis Affects The CMC Joint
Thumb arthritis often develops in the CMC joint, especially in individuals in their forties and fifties, and is more common in women. Research suggests that about one-third of people experience arthritis at the thumb’s base, though symptoms vary in severity. This condition is also called CMC arthritis, basal joint arthritis, or informally, “texting thumb.”
Pain typically occurs where the thumb meets the wrist, making tasks like opening jars or turning doorknobs uncomfortable. As cartilage breaks down, inflammation, stiffness, and reduced mobility may develop, progressively limiting function. These effects highlight the importance of early management and exploring targeted treatment options.
What Causes Thumb Arthritis?
Understanding the common causes of thumb arthritis can help identify risk factors and support preventative measures or early intervention. Key contributors to the development of thumb arthritis include:
Cartilage Degeneration
Cartilage degeneration plays a key role in thumb arthritis. The CMC joint relies on cartilage to cushion the bones and enable smooth movement. Over time, repetitive use, injury, or aging may cause this protective layer to wear down. As cartilage thins, bones within the joint may begin to rub together, making even simple thumb movements painful.
Joint Instability
Joint instability can contribute to pain and CMC arthritis. When ligaments that support the joint become loose, stability is compromised, increasing stress on the cartilage and accelerating its breakdown. In some cases, bone spurs may develop as a result. Individuals with conditions like Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, which cause ligament laxity, may have a higher risk of CMC arthritis.
Repetitive Strain And Overuse
Repetitive strain and overuse may contribute to the development of thumb arthritis. Frequent gripping, pinching, or twisting motions can gradually wear down the cartilage in the CMC joint, leading to inflammation, stiffness, and pain. Modern habits, such as prolonged smartphone use or frequent texting, may also increase strain on the thumb.
Symptoms Of Thumb Arthritis
Thumb arthritis can significantly impact hand function and overall quality of life, with symptoms ranging from mild discomfort to severe pain. Recognizing these symptoms early is essential for timely management and treatment. Common signs that may indicate thumb arthritis include:
- Pain And Tenderness: Aching or sharp pain, especially at the base of the thumb, often worsens with gripping, pinching, or other hand movements.
- Swelling And Stiffness: Noticeable joint swelling and stiffness can limit thumb movement, making it harder to perform tasks like writing or gripping objects.
- Reduced Range Of Motion: Limited thumb movement affects the ability to perform daily activities like holding tools, typing, or using a smartphone effectively.
- Weakness And Difficulty Gripping: Decreased grip strength makes it challenging to hold or manipulate objects, such as opening jars or carrying small items.
How Is Thumb Arthritis Diagnosed?
An accurate diagnosis is essential for developing a treatment plan and managing joint degeneration. Early detection may help reduce symptoms and minimize long-term complications. Physicians use various methods to assess the CMC joint, evaluate symptoms, and confirm the condition.
Physical Exams
A physical exam is often the first step in diagnosing thumb arthritis. The physician will assess range of motion, strength, and alignment while identifying pain or swelling. Specific movements, such as gripping or pinching, may be tested to evaluate joint function and detect instability or cartilage loss.
Medical History
A detailed medical history helps identify risk factors and potential causes of thumb arthritis. Physicians may ask about past injuries, repetitive hand use, and family history of arthritis. Conditions like Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, which affect ligament stability, may also increase the risk, making this information crucial for diagnosis.
Imaging tests (X-rays, MRIs, etc.)
Imaging tests help confirm thumb arthritis and assess joint damage. X-rays can reveal cartilage loss, bone spurs, or misalignment, while MRIs provide detailed views of soft tissues like ligaments and cartilage. These tools assist physicians in determining the severity of the condition and guiding treatment decisions.
Different Treatment Options In Managing Thumb Joint Pain
While arthritis in the thumb cannot be fully reversed, modern non-surgical treatments may help surgical treatments, such as physical therapy, splints, and regenerative injection techniques, offer a comprehensive strategy for managing thumb arthritis. By combining these methods, individuals may achmanage symptoms and support joint stability. Procedures using Regenexx injectates offer an alternative to surgery by addressing underlying joint instability that contributes to pain and degeneration.
These approaches may help reduce symptoms for some individuals and are considered less invasive than surgery. Data from the Regenexx Provider Patient Registry indicate that individuals reported an average improvement of nearly 50% in both pain relief and functional ability.
Procedures using Regenexx lab processes promote advanced image-guided techniques to precisely deliver injections of the body’s natural healing agents to the affected thumb joint. This outpatient approach is designed to support joint stability and improve mobility, potentially reducing discomfort and making daily activities more manageable.
In addition to injection-based treatments, other non-surgical options may help alleviate symptoms and promote joint health:
- Physical therapy: A tailored program strengthens thumb-supporting muscles, improving stability and function. Therapists also teach ergonomic techniques to minimize joint stress during daily activities.
- Splints: These devices support the thumb by restricting excessive movement, allowing the joint to rest. Limiting strain may help reduce pain and prevent symptom progression.
Non-surgical treatments, such as physical therapy, splints, and regenerative injection techniques, offer a comprehensive strategy for managing thumb arthritis. By combining these methods, individuals may achieve meaningful improvements in pain relief and mobility, often avoiding the need for surgery.
Surgical options for thumb arthritis are generally considered only if non-surgical treatments have failed to provide adequate relief. These procedures are intended to reduce pain and improve function but are often associated with significant risks and inconsistent outcomes, making them a last resort for many patients. Common surgical approaches include:
- Trapezectomy and tendon interposition: Removes the trapezium and replaces it with a tendon to maintain joint space, aiming to reduce pain and preserve thumb movement.
- Trapeziectomy: Surgically removes the trapezium to relieve pain and improve mobility, often performed when arthritis severely affects thumb joint function.
- Joint replacement: Replaces the damaged thumb joint with an artificial implant, designed to improve movement and alleviate pain from advanced arthritis.
- Wrist joint replacement: Removes a wrist bone and inserts an artificial spacer to support joint stability, reducing pain and maintaining thumb function.
- Ligament reconstruction and tendon interposition (LRTI): The most common CMC arthritis surgery, replacing the trapezium with a tendon. Studies show similar outcomes to sham surgeries and a 19% complication rate.
Other procedures, such as artificial spacers, are no longer commonly practiced due to high complication rates, with some devices even resulting in legal action. Given these challenges, patients are strongly encouraged to consider non-surgical alternatives as a first-line approach.
Modern regenerative treatments, including precision-guided injections, provide a less invasive option for managing thumb arthritis. These treatments aim to offer outcomes comparable to surgery without the associated risks.
Is There A Thumb Surgery Alternative?
Hand and thumb osteoarthritis are among the most common forms of osteoarthritis, with the thumb base being the most frequently affected joint in the hand. Repetitive movements like writing and phone use can accelerate cartilage wear, leading to pain and stiffness. While surgery is an option, research has not shown it to be consistently effective, and it carries significant risks.
Non-surgical alternatives, such as procedures using Regenexx injectates, provide less invasive options for managing thumb arthritis. These procedures are designed to address joint instability and cartilage degeneration without the complications or extended recovery time associated with surgery.
Procedures using Regenexx injectates utilize precise image-guided injections to deliver orthobiologic preparations to the affected joint. This approach is intended to support joint stability, reduce inflammation, and improve mobility, which may help manage symptoms and maintain function.
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP)
PRP is a non-surgical approach for managing thumb arthritis that supports the body’s natural healing process. Regenexx PRP injectates deliver a significantly higher concentration of platelets and growth factors than standard PRP treatments. This enhanced formulation is achieved through a proprietary lab process that surpasses basic bedside centrifuge systems.
During a procedure using Regenexx injectates, a small blood sample is processed to concentrate platelets. These healing components are precisely injected into the CMC joint using ultrasound guidance. Regenexx PRP injectates are designed to reduce inflammation, support tissue repair, and improve joint stability by addressing the underlying causes of thumb arthritis.
Bone Marrow Concentrate Procedures
Procedures using Regenexx SD injectate offer a less invasive alternative to surgery for managing thumb arthritis and may help reduce pain and support a quicker return to daily activities. Regenexx pioneered the use of bone marrow concentrate containing mesenchymal stem cells for thumb arthritis and was the first to inject this material into the CMC joint as an alternative to surgery.
This approach aims to stabilize the joint, alleviate pain, and improve function while avoiding the risks of invasive procedures. During the procedure, concentrated bone marrow is extracted from the patient and precisely injected into the damaged ligaments and arthritic joint using advanced ultrasound guidance.
This targeted approach is designed to promote tissue repair, reduce inflammation, and enhance joint stability. As an outpatient treatment, it allows individuals to return home the same day.
To learn more about these innovative procedures, watch the video below:
If you’re curious about how these treatments are performed, check out the demonstration video below:
Many providers claim to treat various conditions with stem cells, but not all have proper training or follow research-backed practices. This is especially important for CMC joint procedures, where precision and expertise are critical for effective treatment.
Individuals may be advised to exercise caution if a provider recommends amniotic or umbilical cord stem cells, as these approaches lack sufficient scientific evidence and may not produce the desired outcomes. Consulting a knowledgeable physician can help ensure treatments align with established medical standards.
To make informed decisions and avoid unverified treatments, rely on credible sources. A comprehensive guide below can help patients explore their options and choose care that prioritizes safety and effectiveness.
Seek A Comprehensive, Long-Term Management Of Thumb Arthritis
Effectively managing thumb arthritis requires a well-rounded approach that focuses on pain reduction, mobility preservation, and joint health. Non-surgical strategies can play a key role in long-term symptom relief.
Targeted exercises, ergonomic adjustments, and lifestyle modifications may help support joint stability and reduce strain. Strengthening exercises improve function, while ergonomic tools minimize repetitive stress. Maintaining a healthy weight and incorporating anti-inflammatory foods may also help reduce inflammation.
Surgery for thumb arthritis is a major decision with significant risks and recovery time. The Regenexx approach to thumb arthritis procedure offers a non-surgical alternative. Combining regenerative treatments with long-term management strategies may help reduce pain, enhance function, and potentially avoid invasive surgery.
Physicians in the licensed Regenexx network offer non-surgical treatments that may help relieve thumb joint discomfort. Explore alternatives to surgery and support mobility.
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