Thumb Arthritis: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment By Wrist & Thumb Braces

What Is Thumb Arthritis?

Coming usually after the 40s, arthritis is a condition that occurs when cartilage in the joints starts wearing out. It can be on any of your joints, whether knees, hips, feet, or hands.

When suffering from arthritis, people often apply ice, and sometimes even heat works. Soon when none of this works and the pain increases, steroid injections are used on the joints directly to cater to the pain. However, these injections cannot be used repetitively and will eventually have to stop.

Thumb Arthritis, on the other hand, is not what many take seriously. For many of us, our thumb is not a finger. It is just another digit. Thumb Arthritis can cause severe pain and swells the thumb, making the simplest tasks like opening a doorknob seem almost impossible due to the pain.

What Causes Thumb Arthritis?

Quiet is a common trait of ageing. When the cartilage in the carpometacarpal deteriorates away from the end of your bones, the two bones start rubbing together. This causes swelling at the base of your hand, continuous pain, and aching that ensures limited motion and lack of energy in your thumb to perform daily tasks is called Thumb Arthritis.

People with Thumb Arthritis often purchase products like jar openers, zipper pulls, and even key turners. They ensure their door knobs are designed in a way that requires less thumb strength. In addition, they make sure that little pressure is applied to their thumb.

The last resort for Thumb Arthritis is surgery, after which a proper solution to the pain is given; however, it restricts your functioning and provides limited use to the joint affecting most.

Several causes and risk factors can lead you to Thumb Arthritis at a certain age. Some of them are mentioned below:

Women are more prone to arthritis than men because women’s joints are more flexible than men’s, which causes less stability and more injuries leading to arthritis indirectly after their mid-40s.
Any injuries like fractures or sprains on the thumb during adolescence and adulthood can cause Thumb Arthritis later in old age.
Obesity and being overweight also cause different types of arthritis.
Any job or hobby puts continuous pressure on the joints of your thumb.
Rheumatoid arthritis can also change the structure of normal cartilage.
Hereditary conditions such as Ligamentous laxity and joint deformities are yet another cause.

What Is the Best Surgery for Thumb Arthritis?

Ligament Reconstruction and Tendon Interposition (LRTI) has been the most practised surgery for Thumb Arthritis for over 40 years. The damaged cartilage is replaced with cushion tissues that help the bones move smoothly.

This surgery is performed in such a way that first, all the parts of the trapezium bone are to be taken out. Next, a close-by tendon is removed from one end and passed through a hole drilled during the surgery in the metacarpal bone.

The leftover tendon is then rolled and placed where the bone was removed. Artificial anchovies are also used by surgeons today, so the tendon movements are completely eradicated.

Removing the trapezium completely puts an end to all chances of arthritis returning.

LRTI is mostly done on adults with mild pain Thumb Arthritis that can be treated effectively if proper care is given after the surgery. With a 96 per cent success rate, this surgery can give you as good as a new thumb that works best for the next 15 to 20 years.

The only drawback of this surgery is that your thumb would be shortened to an extent.

What is the Best Wrist & Thumb Brace for Thumb Arthritis?

The best brace for Thumb Arthritis is the Thumb & Wrist Brace by WorldBrace, where you can get a customized brace as per your choice. Made of Neoprene, it ensures that your hand is kept dry and not sweating excessively, which further causes slow recovery from the surgeries.

In addition, these braces are extremely soft and comfortable, giving your thumb the right amount of support.

From the design to the colour, everything can be customized the way you prefer. It is the most cushioning brace for wrist, hand, arm, and thumb pain.

It has a flexible and ergonomic splint that helps the weak thumb function smoothly, making it easy to put on and pull out. The splint is also made of elastic nylon, giving breathing space to the skin. Consisting of two Velcro’s, it is highly adjustable and for practical use.

Arthritis is a disease that gradually increases and becomes a part of your life. You cannot undo it. However, there are several ways you can treat it, whether it be with surgery or without. Consulting a doctor is what needs to be done sooner or later. Depending on the severity, your doctor will suggest bone diffusion or partial joint removal or even recommend daily physical therapy to help relieve the pain.

You must ensure that you follow the proper post-medication procedure to ensure this rust doesn’t get back to you.

You will need to wear a cast or a brace for at least 4 to 8 weeks depending upon the requirement of the surgery. Physical therapists also help with hand movements and massages that strengthen the functioning of your hands at a faster pace. As a result, several patients resume their routine hand work within 4 to 6 weeks if proper care is given.

WorldBrace is a progressive brand marking its place worldwide in all types of sports braces for over 20 years. We can find everything from innovative and trendy braces to customized ones under one roof. The products’ quality and durability make WorldBrace a trustworthy company for its customers.

Basilar Thumb Arthritis - LewisGale Medical Center

faq

What does Thumb Arthritis feel like?

It feels like your hands are stiff and won’t move soon after you wake, especially in the mornings. The stiffness then leads to severe pain and swelling.