Thumb Osteoarthritis
Guided Injections.
What is thumb osteoarthritis?
Thumb OA most commonly affects the carpometacarpal (CMC) joint. The cartilage, which lines the joint surface at the base of the thumb, is damaged due to wear and tear. This results in narrowing of the joint space and reduced joint congruity, leading to pain and impaired function. Some factors that may contribute to the development of thumb OA include age, previous trauma to the area, jobs requiring repetitive heavy loading through the thumb, and metabolic conditions. (Riley et al., 2018)
What are the common symptoms of this?
Pain around the base of the thumb that is exacerbated by activities such as gripping, pinching, and heavy loading of the thumb. You may also experience stiffness in the hip, especially in the morning or after more extended periods of resting the hand. You may also notice reduced strength with fine motor activities, a bony bump around the base of the thumb, a grinding sensation when moving the joint, locking or sticking with movement, and a decreased range of motion. (Ahern et al., 2018)
How is this diagnosed?
To assess your condition, your physiotherapist will ask about your symptoms and conduct a physical examination, looking for the following:
- Range of movement quality of the thumb and wrist
- Any signs of pain, tenderness, swelling, or bony changes
- Weakness/ pain with gripping and pinching activities
- Grinding sensation or crepitus with special testing of the thumb joint
Treatment options
Guided Corticosteroid Injections
For persistent pain, corticosteroid injections may be recommended to reduce inflammation and provide short-term relief.
Guided Hyaluronic Acid Injections
Your Clinician
BSc Physiotherapy MSCP (Hons)
PGCert Independent Medical Prescriber
PGCert Soft Tissue and Joint Injection Therapist
PGCert Diagnostic Ultrasound
Riley, N., Vella-Baldacchino, M., Thurley, N., Hopewell, S., Carr, A. J., & Dean, B. J. F. (2019). Injection therapy for base of thumb osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ open, 9(9), e027507.
Ahern, M., Skyllas, J., Wajon, A., & Hush, J. (2018). The effectiveness of physical therapies for patients with base of thumb osteoarthritis: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Musculoskeletal Science and Practice, 35, 46-54.