| Definition: | | | | Treatment for basal joint arthritis can include |
| Basal joint arthritis is arthritis of the thumb. The basal | | | | medication for pain and swelling, corticosteroid |
| joint is also known as thumb CMC (carpometacarpal) | | | | injections, splints, and in some cases surgery. The |
| joint. This joint receives an enormous amount of | | | | main focus of treatment is pain reduction. |
| stress especially with pinching motions. The amount | | | | Arthroscopic surgery may be required to reduce pain. |
| of pressure taken in this joint when grasping, using a | | | | Surgery can only be performed during early and |
| pinch between the thumb and index finger, is | | | | middle stages of basal joints arthritis. Advanced |
| approximately 6 to 9 pounds of pressure for every 1 | | | | stages of basal joints arthritis cannot be repaired with |
| pound of pinch. It's no wonder that this joint wears | | | | arthroscopic surgery. This is why it is important to |
| out and has so many arthritic problems. | | | | discuss treatment options with your doctor during |
| Arthritis in the basal joints can be one of many types | | | | early stages of the condition. Other surgical |
| of arthritis. The most common types of arthritis | | | | treatments available are; joint fusion, Osteotomy |
| affecting this joint are osteoarthritis, rheumatoid | | | | (bone cutting), Trapeziectomy (removal of the |
| arthritis, and traumatic arthritis. Traumatic arthritis | | | | trapezium bone) and joint replacement. |
| generally happens due to injury of the joint. | | | | Pain reduction: |
| Osteoarthritis is a degenerative arthritis. Rheumatoid | | | | Limiting the use of the joint is one of the best ways |
| arthritis is an autoimmune disease. | | | | to decrease pain. One way this can be done is by |
| Diagnosis: | | | | wearing splints that immobilize the basal joint and |
| Your Physician can do an array of tests to diagnose | | | | facilitate proper positioning. |
| basal joints arthritis. These tests may include ex rays, | | | | Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), |
| bone scans, MRI, and a physical examination including | | | | including OTC medications such as ibuprofen and |
| manipulation of the joint. | | | | naproxen sodium, can be used to treat joint pain and |
| Symptoms: | | | | swelling. Tylenol can also be used for pain relief. When |
| Symptoms of basal joints arthritis can include:o Pain | | | | these OTC medications are non-effective your |
| at base the of the thumb with useo Aching joints at | | | | Physician can prescribe stronger NSAIDs. |
| the base of the thumb that continues to be | | | | Often a combination of splinting and NSAIDs will |
| bothersome even after discontinuing useo Deformity | | | | greatly decrease pain. |
| in the joint at the base of the thumbo Tenderness | | | | Corticosteroid injections can be used for pain relief. |
| of the base of the thumbo Swelling in the joint at | | | | Corticosteroids work by reducing inflammation in the |
| the base of the thumbo Decreased strength in the | | | | joint. Care must be taken when using corticosteroids. |
| basal jointo Decreased range of motiono Difficulty in | | | | Range of motion exercises can also improve joint |
| doing tasks such as turning keys, doorknobs, jar lids, | | | | pain and mobility. These are done by manipulating the |
| buttoning buttons and zipping zipperso Severe pain | | | | joint through all natural movements. This should be |
| when grippingo Severe pain when pinching the thumb | | | | done carefully multiple times daily. |
| and fingers togethero Decreased ability to gripo An | | | | Applying heat or cold can also assist with pain. Many |
| unstable feeling in the basal jointo An out of joint | | | | people find ice packs work great in alleviating pain |
| appearance at the base of the thumbo An enlarged, | | | | and swelling in the basal joint. Other people have |
| bony appearing joint at the base of the thumbo | | | | difficulty using ice as it increases other types of |
| Limited joint mobility | | | | arthritic pain. Application of heat works better in |
| Cause: | | | | these cases. Using a heat pack or a heating pad for |
| Exact cause of basal joints arthritis is unknown. | | | | 10 to 15 minutes of the time several times |
| Repetitive use and factors including injury, stress, | | | | throughout the day can decrease stiffness and pain |
| muscle weakness, the aging process, heredity, and | | | | in the joint. |
| obesity may be contributing factors. Cartilage | | | | Decreasing use by modifying household chores and |
| normally cushions the basal joint. When basal joint | | | | finding ways to use other joints when possible to |
| arthritis is involved cartilage cushioning degenerates | | | | allow this joint time to heal is also an effective way |
| and the bones rub together. This is what causes | | | | of decreasing pain. Any way that you can decrease |
| damage due to joint friction. Bone spurs of pure as | | | | use of the basal joint and still keep your |
| the body attempts to repair the damage. | | | | independence will be helpful. Simple adjustments in |
| Increased risk factors include:o Age (these joints | | | | the house such as finding larger handled flatware, |
| arthritis generally happens after the age of 40).o | | | | adding a key chain or something large to grasp to |
| Gender (basal joints arthritis is more frequent in | | | | zipper pulls so that you can manipulate your own |
| females).o Past injuries to the basal joint including | | | | zippers, specialized door handles, specialized faucets, |
| fractures, sprains, and jamming the thumb.o Disease | | | | and many other adjustments that can make |
| such as rheumatoid arthritis.o Excessive use of the | | | | throughout your home can decrease the aggravation |
| basal joints.o The family history of basal joint arthritis. | | | | you put on the basal joint. |
| Treatment: | | | | |