thumb and Finger Arthritis
Hand Conditions
Wrist Conditions
Elbow Conditions
What is it?
Thumb and finger arthritis is common with aging and occurs when cartilage wears away from the ends of the bones that form the joint. It typically occurs at the base of your thumb but can occur in any of the finger joints.
What are the symptoms?
Pain is the first and most common symptom of thumb or finger arthritis. Pain can occur at the base of your thumb or in any of the fingers when you grip, grasp or pinch an object, or use your thumb to apply force.
Other signs and symptoms might include:
- Swelling, stiffness and tenderness
- Decreased strength
- Reduced range of motion. Difficulty straightening your fingers or making a fist
- Enlarged or bony appearance of your finger or thumb joints
what is the treatment?
Initially, hand therapy exercises or wearing a splint at night can be helpful in controlling symptoms.
Injections are particularly useful in early arthritis. A single injection can last many months or even up to a year.
A number of surgical options exist, including joint replacement, joint fusion, and excision arthroplasty. For severe arthritis, surgery may be required to restore your motion, function and get you back to your work or hobbies.
Surgery is extremely effective at relieving pain and restoring function in the right patient, and is one of our ‘winning’ treatments. For more information, simply contact us today.
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