Orthopedic

Basal Joint Arthritis

Basal Joint arthritis is a condition that affects the base of the thumb where it connects to the wrist. This common condition can be very painful and inconvenient as it limits the use of the thumb. The thumb is a very important part of the hand, and most of the things we do on a day to day basis involve heavy use of the hands and thumb, including: gripping, pinching and holding. Basal Joint arthritis can make it difficult to do simple things such as grip a mug and enjoy a cup of coffee, or something as simple as turning a small key and unlocking a car or house door.

What Causes Basal Arthritis?

Basal Joint arthritis is a condition that affects the base of the thumb where it connects to the wrist. This common condition can be excruciating and inconvenient as it limits the use of the thumb. The thumb is a significant part of the hand, and most of the things we do on a day to day basis involve heavy use of the hands and thumb, including gripping, pinching and holding. Basal Joint arthritis can make it difficult to do simple things such as grip a mug and enjoy a cup of coffee, or something as simple as turning a small key and unlocking a car or house door.

Common Symptoms

The common symptoms of basal joint arthritis include swelling, stiffness and decreased strength when gripping or holding objects with the affecting hand. Pain in the thumb area is, of course, the most common symptom, and sometimes the base of your thumb may appear to be out-of-joint or swollen.

Treatments for Basal Joint Arthritis

The treatment options for basal joint arthritis are very similar to other types of arthritis. Your physician may recommend something as simple as rest and anti-inflammatory medication, to a more aggressive treatment like a basal joint surgery, where the affected joint is removed from the hand. Your physician’s recommendations will largely depend on your specific circumstance, the amount of pain you are suffering from, and the type of treatment you have already attempted.

Contact Our Hand Specialist

If you have had basal joint arthritis like symptoms, make an appointment to see one of our hand specialists at the Narmada Health Group. Basal Joint Arthritis can make your life very inconvenient and make simple things complicated, but it doesn’t have to, with proper care and treatment, you can reduce pain and maintain the functionality of your hand.