What is Arthritis?
Arthritis is defined as anything that irritates or destroys the joint. In a normal joint, the ends of the bones are covered with cartilage, allowing the bones to move easily without pain. Degenerative arthritis – also known as osteoarthritis – is the result of the cartilage on the bone wearing out. This causes pain and eventually destroys the joint.

The hand is the second most common joint to develop degenerative arthritis or osteoarthritis, typically at the base of the thumb, which is called the basilar joint. Due to the wide range of motion and the shape of the bones, the basilar joint is the most likely area of the hand to develop arthritis.

Who gets arthritis?
Women over 40 have the highest rate of developing arthritis of the base of the thumb. Chances increase if any sprain or fracture has occurred to the area.

What are the signs and symptoms of arthritis?
When performing everyday activities, you may feel pain with gripping or pinching movements that involve the thumb and fingers. This is one of the first signs of basilar joint arthritis. As the disease progresses, the joint begins to look bigger and out of place, and your range of motion may be reduced. The thumb may start to stick out to the side and could later collapse at the second joint.

What treatments are available for arthritis?
Oral pain medications or local injections can help with pain in the early stages of basilar joint arthritis. A thumb splint will help reduce movement of the thumb and reduce the pain and swelling. More severe cases of basilar joint arthritis may require surgery. Check with your hand surgeon to discuss your best options.

Occasionally, therapy is required following surgery to regain better use of the hand. The Rehabilitation department at The Centre for Working Hands is staffed by highly skilled, professionally trained therapists who offer a unique variety of treatment options to help patients return to their normal routines as quickly and comfortably as possible.

Click here for more information on arthritis or to schedule a consultation with one of our reconstructive hand surgeons. The Centre for Working Hands offers arthritis treatment to patients in Elkhart and South Bend, Indiana, Michiana and the Southern Michigan area.

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