Arthritis Treatment

We use our hands for nearly every activity in life.  Therefore, it is no surprise that the hand and wrist are one of the most common sites of arthritis in the human body.  Arthritis is a condition where the normal space between bones becomes worn out with loss of the cartilage that normally lubricates these areas.  

Thumb Base (Basilar joint, 1^st CMC) Arthritis

Arthritis of the thumb base is among the most common and most debilitating sites of joint degeneration in the hand.  Patients often complain of thumb pain that is worst when gripping or twisting items, particularly when performing activities such as opening bottles.  As the disease progresses, you may notice that the thumb seems to sink into your palm and you develop a bump on top of the band near the thumb base.  These occur due to weakening of the soft tissues that support the thumb joint. 

Treatment of thumb base arthritis requires a thorough discussion with you surgeon about your activity requirements, pain level, and treatment goals to select the best course of care for you.  Initial treatment for this condition consists of bracing, activity modification, and hand therapy.  Your surgeon may recommend a steroid injection into the CMC (thumb base) joint to help relieve the pain.  You may also benefit from adopting an anti-inflammatory diet, adding supplements such as turmeric or tart cherry.  There is no therapy that can reverse the joint degeneration that is present. 

CMC arthroplasty

In severe thumb base arthritis, a CMC arthroplasty surgery may be necessary.  During the procedure, the disease trapezium bone is removed.  The joint is then stabilized either with one of your own tendons or by using an implanted support.  This surgery is extremely effective at relieving pain.  However, patients who must continue to perform heavy manual labor may need to consider delaying surgery or alternate techniques to manage pain as there is some loss of strength and mobility after the procedure.  

Basilar joint arthritis is a common and highly disabling condition that demands specialized evaluation and therapy.  Your fellowship-trained hand surgeon at Hand Surgery of Los Angeles will work with you to restore your activity and pain free hand function.