Locations (03) 9038 5200

Base of Thumb Arthritis

What is Base of Thumb Arthritis?

Base of Thumb Arthritis is the gradual loss of cartilage, resulting in the loss of the smooth gliding surfaces for the thumb joint. This results in inflammation of the lining of the joint (synovitis) and causes pain and restricted movement. It is very common in the hand and the base of the thumb is one of the most common places for arthritis to occur in the hand

The changes that occur in the cartilage range from mild softening to complete loss of the joint surface. It is important to note that the degree of cartilage change/loss does not specifically correlate with symptoms.

 

Basal Joint Arthritis usually affects people from the age of 40, more commonly from 60 years, and is more prevalent in women.

Commonly, there is no specific cause identified for Basal Joint Arthritis, and this is termed Idiopathic or Primary Osteoarthritis. It may be related to trauma such as fractures or injury, rheumatoid disease or other connective tissue disorders.

Common causes of Basal Joint Arthritis are:

  • Osteoarthritis – this is the most common cause of Arthritis. A degenerative joint disease which affects all cartilage and joints in the body, it usually affects people over the age of 50.
  • Rheumatoid Arthritis – an autoimmune disorder in which the immune system attacks healthy cells such as the lining of joints. It is an inflammatory condition and often manifests symmetrically, affecting both hands at once. Rheumatoid Arthritis is more common in women, and often affects the small joints of the body first, such as hands and fingers, before involving the larger lower limb joints.
  • Post-Traumatic Basal Joint Arthritis – can develop after an injury to the hand and thumb, such as a fracture, dislocation or ligament injury

Signs of Arthritis in the base of the thumb may include:

  • Pain in the joint often worse with movement
  • Stiffness and reduced range of motion
  • Hand weakness
  • Loss of dexterity and fine motor skill
  • Swelling and deformity around the joint

Anatomy

At the base of the thumb there is a joint that is extremely mobile allowing the many and varied movements that our thumb makes. The joint looks a little bit like a saddle to allow these movements and when it doesn’t line up exactly this causes abnormal pressure on the cartilage that can lead it to deteriorate. The bony alignment of the joint is not particularly stable and relies on the ligaments and muscles to remain so. If these soft tissues become less effective the joint alignment can be lost leading to malposition of the joint (subluxation) and therefore cartilage degeneration.

Treatment & Surgery Options

Early management for Basal Joint Arthritis is usually nonoperative and could include:

  • Exercises and stretches to maintain range of motion and strength
  • Lifestyle and activity modifications to avoid worsening
  • Pain management with ice, heat or simple medications
  • Thumb brace/splint
  • Cortisone injection
  • Medication for Rheumatoid Arthritis
  • Dietary supplements

When nonoperative treatments are not offering enough relief, surgical options may be considered.

There are a range of procedures, which are considered on an individual basis. These include:

  • Removal of loose fragments of bone, cartilage or inflamed tissue in the joint
  • Ligament or tendon reconstruction or replacement
  • Osteotomy to reshape the bone
  • Denervation – Selectively cutting the nerves going to the joint
  • Removal of half of one the bones of the joint to decompress the joint and allow more space
  • Fusing the bones of the joint together
  • Thumb joint replacement using an implant
  • Suspensionplasty to remove a bone and stabilise the thumb with a tendon/implant

 

Downloadable info sheets related to Base of Thumb Arthritis

These notes have been prepared by orthopaedic surgeons at OrthoSport Victoria. They are a general overview and reflect their views, opinions and recommendations. The contents are provided for information and education purposes only and not for the purpose of rendering medical advice. Please seek the advice of your surgeon or other health care provider with any questions regarding medical conditions and treatment.

Quick Links

Icon

Have questions? We’re here to help.

If you are looking to book an appointment, please call us on

(03) 9038 5200.

OrthoSport Victoria (OSV)

Melbourne’s Orthopaedic Specialists helping you get back to life.

We take appointments via referral so, speak to your GP or clinic about OSV today

Popular Links

Contact Information

Phone: (03) 9038 5200
Fax: +61 (03) 9038 5209
Address:
Level 5, Epworth Richmond
89 Bridge Rd, Richmond, 3121