Got Thumb Pain? It could be CMC arthritis.

Thumb CMC arthritis. Nicholas Pappas III, MD is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with a Certificate of Added Qualificati

While there are a number of causes of thumb pain, one of the most common causes we see as orthopedic hand surgeons is thumb basal joint arthritis.

What is thumb basal joint arthritis?

Thumb basal joint arthritis is when the cartilage becomes worn in the joint at the base of the thumb, causing inflammation and pain in that region.

How does it present?

Thumb basal joint arthritis usually presents as a dull pain at the base of the thumb that is worse with pinching-type activities.

How can we evaluate it?

We can diagnose it by patient history, physical exam, and x-rays.

How do we treat it?

As with arthritis at any other location in the hand and wrist, initial treatment is conservative with activity modification, splinting, anti-inflammatories, and/or cortisone injections. If non-operative treatment is unsuccessful, surgical treatment is considered.

Surgery involves removing the arthritic bone at the base of the thumb (i.e. trapezium) and stabilizing the thumb basal joint with very strong suture or tendon graft. This procedure is known as a thumb carpo-metacarpal joint arthroplasty (i.e. thumb joint replacement) and has very good success rates.

Author:

Nicholas Pappas III, MD is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with a Certificate of Added Qualifications (CAQ) in hand surgery who specializes in various hand and upper extremity conditions. He is the newest member of the Orthopedic Center for Sports Medicine team and founder of NOLA Hand Surgery (nolahandsurgery.com).

Call 504-889-2663 or visit us online at NOLASPORTSMEDICINE.com to schedule your consultation.

Author

Nick Pappas III, M.D. Nicholas Pappas III, MD is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with a Certificate of Added Qualifications (CAQ) in hand surgery who specializes in various hand and upper extremity conditions. He is the newest member of the Orthopedic Center for Sports Medicine team and founder of NOLA Hand Surgery (nolahandsurgery.com) Dr. Pappas currently serves as a Clinical Assistant Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at both Tulane University and Louisiana State University. He is also a member of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand and serves as a consultant reviewer for the prestigious Journal of Hand Surgery, American. He has an active interest in clinical research with over 30 peer-reviewed publications and multiple textbook chapters to his credit.

You Might Also Enjoy...

Ode to a Physician: A Tree, a Car and an Empty Glass Jar

After reading the recent article in the New York Times titled "The Moral Crisis of America's Doctors", I felt the need to encourage those beginning this journey. There is MUCH HOPE in this calling. The HEALING has to begin with self reflection.

A PRETENDER, A CONTENDER and SURRENDER

Inspirational Post...

OCSM: Lifestyle Medicine

Practicing nutritional mindfulness is one of the most successful ways to promote health and wellness. Whether you need to prepare your body for surgery or simply want to lower your risk of numerous health concerns, Andrea Espinoza, MD, FCCP can help.

Rotator Cuff Injuries Q&A

Reaching upward is a requirement for many jobs. If you start to feel persistent pain in your shoulder with these motions, you might have a rotator cuff injury. The OCSM clinic in Metairie, Louisiana, specializes in diagnosis and treatment of Rotator Cuffs.

Calcific Tendinitis: A Common Cause of Shoulder Pain

Calcific tendonitis of the shoulder is a common cause of aching pain that is made worse by shoulder activity. The pain often occurs at night and may persist for several months despite the lack of any specific injury or trauma.

Cough Q&A What is Coughing?

Having a cough every once in a while is typically no more than a minor inconvenience. If your cough lasts for weeks without relief, you might have a chronic cough. Lifestyle medicine physician, Andrea Espinoza, MD, FCCP, at OCSM can help.