What to know about thumb arthritis

What to know about thumb arthritis

Arthritis occurs when joint cartilage deteriorates and bones rub together. This can cause swelling, pain and stiffness in the affected joints, such as the base of the thumb.

Arthritis is a medical term for joint inflammation and joint pain.

Arthritis of the thumb usually occurs in people over the age of 50 and is more common in men than women.

Gout in the thumb can be painful, and various treatments and techniques can reduce symptoms and improve joint function.

This article describes thumb arthritis and explains symptoms, risk factors, diagnosis and treatment options.

What is thumb arthritis?

Arthritis of the thumb occurs in the joint at the base of the thumb.

The hand is the second most common site of arthritis. According to a 2017 review, about 15 percent of people over the age of 30 have thumb arthritis.

Arthritis of the thumb is generally a type of osteoarthritis (OA) caused by gradual wear and tear on the joint.

In normal joints, elastic cartilage covers the opposite ends of the bones. Cartilage cushions both bones and prevents collisions during movement.

Patients with thumb arthritis have reduced cartilage. Without a buffer between them, the two bones rub against each other.

When bones rub against each other, they create friction and damage the joint, causing pain, swelling and other symptoms.

Sign

First symptom of thumb arthritis is pain at the bottom of thumb. This can happen when a person presses or pinches something or uses their thumb to apply force.

Other symptoms of arthritis in the thumb include:

• Core inflation
• Pain, discomfort or tenderness in the bottom
• Limitation of joint movements
• The base looks large or bony
• Loss of strength in the thumb joint

The symptoms can vary in severity. They may be mild at first and worsen over time, especially without treatment.

Reason

OA is the cause of most cases of thumb arthritis. This means that the problem is with the gradual destruction of the cartilage.

Symptoms of thumb arthritis are usually caused by the gradual breakdown of cartilage over time. This is often due to the natural wear and tear associated with aging. Arthritis of the thumb is more common in people over the age of 50.

The Arthritis Foundation says that by age 85, about half of women and a quarter of men have symptoms of OA.

The Arthritis Foundation also says that trauma can lead to thumb arthritis. Even if a person receives effective treatment, the affected joints are likely to develop OA over time. The most common injuries caused by OA are fractures and sprains.

Joint infection can also cause arthritis in the big toe.

Risk factor

There are many factors that can make a person more likely to develop OA, and they all affect the fingers. These are reliable sources:

Age: As people age, the risk of OA increases.

Weight: Maintaining a healthy body weight reduces the risk of OA.

Genetics: A family history of cancer can increase the chance of developing the disease.

Weak joints: Weak joints increase the risk of cancer.

Hormones: obesity can increase the risk of cancer.

Injury: Injury to the joints can increase the risk of developing OA.

Lifestyle: Activities such as computer work can stress the joints.

Diagnosis

Before treating ankle pain, a good chiropractor will examine the joint and evaluate the following.

• Current pain level
• Walking causes more pain
• Old pain

Doctor will ask about the medical history of person. This includes the following requests.

Their characteristics, frequency and complexity

If their text is:

• Trump
• red
• simple
• Warm to the touch
• Do symptoms start suddenly or gradually?
• If symptoms worsen after exercise or rest
• When do people notice their symptoms?
• or pain relievers

If a person has pain under his fingers, the doctor can also look for signs of carpal tunnel syndrome to rule out other symptoms.

Treatment

The severity of stomach flu symptoms can help guide treatment.

Influenza is a chronic illness that gets worse over time. There is no known treatment to slow the growth of the fungus, but pain and other symptoms can be alleviated.

Non-surgical procedure

Common medications for OA include:

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): These drugs can treat inflammation and pain. Common NSAIDs include:

• hurry up
• Ibuprofen
• Naproxen
• Celecoxib

Stimulation: This drug contains substances that affect the human nerves, and when applied to the painful, cold, hot or burning area. Examples are:

• capsaicin
• menthol
• Lidocaine

Corticosteroids: These pain relievers reduce arthritis symptoms by reducing inflammation around the ankle.

Pain medications: These medications help reduce pain. These include acetaminophen and opioids. Acetaminophen can be purchased over the counter; However, opioids must be prescribed by a doctor.

Doctors also give steroid injections to help reduce inflammation and other arthritis symptoms. This treatment only works for people with mild symptoms.

Surgical procedure

If these precautions don’t work, the person may need surgery.

Here are some surgical options for people with knee cancer:

Total joint replacement (arthroplasty): In this procedure, the surgeon removes all or part of the affected joint. This is now being replaced by competitive investment.

Fusion surgery (arthrodesis): The doctor fuses the bones in the finger joint to reduce pain. The metacarpal bones of the fingers are stretched, and fit into the socket.

Ligament reconstruction: In this procedure, the surgeon removes part of the damaged ligament and replaces it with part of the patient’s finger.

Ligament reconstruction and nerve transfer (LRTI): The surgeon removes the damaged ligaments and adds tissue that keeps the bones from sticking together.

Summary

Osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage cells in the joints wear out and the bones in the joints rub against each other. This causes pressure, inflammation, aches and pains.