basal joint arthritis

[Libratwin]

What is basal joint arthritis?  How does it affect the tumb?

[betz55]

I had surgery on Nov 14 2013   i am in more pain know than before. My hand is cupped and my thumb is swollen. i can not lift much and typing is a challenge/ i am going back to the hand specials to see what can be done. very upset with outcome . my hand is worse now than it was before the procedure.

[Dr Vinod]

Thumb basal joint arthritis is a common condition which often affects both hands. It is painless in some people, but others have great difficulty.

The joint at the base of the thumb which allows for the swivel and pivoting motions of the thumb is referred to as the basal joint or thumb CMC (carpometacarpal) joint. Because of its design, it tends to wear out and develop arthritis early in life. Basal joint arthritis is also common in people who have osteoarthritis.

It causes pain at the base of the thumb, particularly during pinching or gripping. It also results in weakness of pinch.

Pain killers and icing of the area helps, if the symptoms progress an Orthopaedician consultation is necessary.

Take care!