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Basal Joint Arthritis
Dec 06, 2008 01:51AM
- 3 comments
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What is Basal Joint Arthritis?
Arthritis refers to diseases that cause inflammation and stiffness in the joints. Very often, it affects the joint at the base of the thumb -the Basal Joint. Basal Joint Arthritis is most common in women over 40, but anyone can be affected by it. It can occur in both thumbs at one time.
Causes
Basal Joint Arthritis occurs as a result of wear and tear on the joint. It is more likely to occur at a younger age, if you have fractured or injured your thumb. Repeatedly gripping, twisting or turning objects with the thumb(s) and fingers may make it worse.
Symptoms
The most common symptom is pain in the lower part of the thumb. You may feel pain when you lift something by the thumb and finger, unscrew the lid of a jar, turn a door handle or a key. You may find yourself dropping things. Weather may also make the thumb hurt. The joint may swell and with time, the thumb may become stiff or deformed.
Inside your thumb
The basal joint is formed by one of the wrist bones and the first of the three bones in the thumb. This joint allows the thumb to move and to pinch with the fingers. When arthritis occurs in the basal joint, it slowly destroys the joint.
Arthritis destroys the joint
The ends of the bones are covered with cartilage. This covering acts like a cushion, allowing the bones to move smoothly. Arthritis destroys the cartilage. Then the bones start to rub against each other whenever you move your thumb. This causes the joint to become inflamed and painful. With time, the small bone at the base of the thumb may collapse. Then you can no longer straighten your thumb.
Treating Basal Joint Arthritis in the thumb
Your Doctor can usually diagnose Basal Joint Arthritis from the way your thumb looks and moves. He may also order X-Rays to see how much of the joint is destroyed. The treatment will depend on how severe the pain is and how worn the joint is.
Non-surgical treatment
When arthritis is diagnosed early, it usually responds to treatment without surgery. Your Doctor may put a splint on your thumb for 3-6 weeks. This limits movement, but reduces the quantum of inflammatory medication that you need to take. You may also be given oral anti-inflammatory medication such as aspirin. If symptoms still don't improve, your Doctor may prescribe anti-inflammatory injections such as cortisone
Surgical treatment
If non-surgical treatment does not relieve the pain and stiffness, or if arthritis has destroyed the joint, your Doctor may recommend surgery.
Recovery
Firstly, your hand will be wrapped in a dressing. Then you'll have a cast or a splint on your thumb for 3-6 weeks. This holds the thumb stable while it heals. Once you are able to move your thumb, your Doctor will give you exercises, or refer you to a Physical Therapist to help strengthen the muscles and make the joint more flexible. Regaining use of your thumb will take time.
Using your thumb again
Once the joint heals, you should have little or no pain - as long as you don't overuse your thumb. Be sure to do any exercise your Doctor or Physical Therapist gives you. The thumb may never be quite as good as new, but you Should be able to return to many of your normal activities.
The information contained in this booklet is not intended as a substitute for medical advice but is to be used as an aid in understanding the ailment. Always consult your Doctor about your medical condition.
To know more about Arthritis and Pain Management Open the following webpage
http://dotweb.in/books/painebook.php
Arthritis refers to diseases that cause inflammation and stiffness in the joints. Very often, it affects the joint at the base of the thumb -the Basal Joint. Basal Joint Arthritis is most common in women over 40, but anyone can be affected by it. It can occur in both thumbs at one time.
Causes
Basal Joint Arthritis occurs as a result of wear and tear on the joint. It is more likely to occur at a younger age, if you have fractured or injured your thumb. Repeatedly gripping, twisting or turning objects with the thumb(s) and fingers may make it worse.
Symptoms
The most common symptom is pain in the lower part of the thumb. You may feel pain when you lift something by the thumb and finger, unscrew the lid of a jar, turn a door handle or a key. You may find yourself dropping things. Weather may also make the thumb hurt. The joint may swell and with time, the thumb may become stiff or deformed.
Inside your thumb
The basal joint is formed by one of the wrist bones and the first of the three bones in the thumb. This joint allows the thumb to move and to pinch with the fingers. When arthritis occurs in the basal joint, it slowly destroys the joint.
Arthritis destroys the joint
The ends of the bones are covered with cartilage. This covering acts like a cushion, allowing the bones to move smoothly. Arthritis destroys the cartilage. Then the bones start to rub against each other whenever you move your thumb. This causes the joint to become inflamed and painful. With time, the small bone at the base of the thumb may collapse. Then you can no longer straighten your thumb.
Treating Basal Joint Arthritis in the thumb
Your Doctor can usually diagnose Basal Joint Arthritis from the way your thumb looks and moves. He may also order X-Rays to see how much of the joint is destroyed. The treatment will depend on how severe the pain is and how worn the joint is.
Non-surgical treatment
When arthritis is diagnosed early, it usually responds to treatment without surgery. Your Doctor may put a splint on your thumb for 3-6 weeks. This limits movement, but reduces the quantum of inflammatory medication that you need to take. You may also be given oral anti-inflammatory medication such as aspirin. If symptoms still don't improve, your Doctor may prescribe anti-inflammatory injections such as cortisone
Surgical treatment
If non-surgical treatment does not relieve the pain and stiffness, or if arthritis has destroyed the joint, your Doctor may recommend surgery.
Recovery
Firstly, your hand will be wrapped in a dressing. Then you'll have a cast or a splint on your thumb for 3-6 weeks. This holds the thumb stable while it heals. Once you are able to move your thumb, your Doctor will give you exercises, or refer you to a Physical Therapist to help strengthen the muscles and make the joint more flexible. Regaining use of your thumb will take time.
Using your thumb again
Once the joint heals, you should have little or no pain - as long as you don't overuse your thumb. Be sure to do any exercise your Doctor or Physical Therapist gives you. The thumb may never be quite as good as new, but you Should be able to return to many of your normal activities.
The information contained in this booklet is not intended as a substitute for medical advice but is to be used as an aid in understanding the ailment. Always consult your Doctor about your medical condition.
To know more about Arthritis and Pain Management Open the following webpage
http://dotweb.in/books/painebook.php
you jump from injections to surgery but what treatments in between?my doctor seems to think im far away from surgery but i will be going for my 3 cortizone injection in under 4 months.
That was a good question, most often we try to focus on physiotherapy,rehabilitation, conditioning exercises and other things before we even consider any interventions like injections/surgery. The approach will be noninvasive to invasive options.
Dr. Joshi
Dr. Joshi
I keep reading that following surgery, patients are in a cast for 3-6 weeks. I had the surgery done last December and was in a cast for only 2 weeks. I'm not complaining about it--I am back to full functioning and was glad to have the inconvenience of a cast for just 2 weeks--but was wondering whether the protocol for the post-surgical treatment has changed.
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