How painful is basal joint arthritis?

How painful is basal joint arthritis?

The pain can occur in different forms. For some people, it will be a dull, constant ache; in others it might be a sharp pain that only hits when you use the thumb, says Saakshi Khattri, MD, assistant professor of rheumatology and dermatology at the Icahn School of Medicine in New York City.

What does basal joint arthritis feel like?

The most frequent symptom is a dull aching pain at the base of the thumb that gets worse with activity and better with rest. People may also have swelling and tenderness at the base of the thumb, loss of strength in gripping or pinching, loss of motion, and morning pain and stiffness.

Can basal joint arthritis be cured?

While there is no cure for basal joint arthritis, there are simple treatments that effectively relieve the symptoms in many individuals. These treatments, including splints, heat and cold, joint protection techniques, and gentle motion, can all be used independently following instruction by a therapist.

How do you know if you have basal arthritis?

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.

Why is thumb arthritis so painful?

The cartilage cushions the two bones, preventing any friction during movement. In people with thumb arthritis, the cartilage wears away. Without this barrier between them, the two bones rub together. As the bones rub together, they create friction and damage the joint, causing pain, inflammation, and other symptoms.

When is surgery needed for thumb arthritis?

If you don’t respond to other treatments or if you’re barely able to bend and twist your thumb, your doctor might recommend surgery. Options include: Joint fusion (arthrodesis). The bones in the affected joint are permanently fused.

How successful is basal joint surgery?

Results. A very common procedure with long-lasting results, basal joint surgery removes the arthritis and is very effective in eliminating the pain. After the reconstruction, patients are again able to do many of the activities that they were unable to do because of the arthritis.

Is basal thumb surgery painful?

You will generally have no pain, and the numbing medication usually lasts about 8 or more hours, so you will leave the surgery center with no pain. How long the block lasts is very variable, but the anesthesia team will give you an estimate.

What is basal joint arthritis surgery?

Basal joint reconstruction surgery, also known as arthroplasty, is a procedure for people with advanced “wear and tear” arthritis in the basal joint of their thumb that has not improved with nonsurgical approaches.

Can surgery fix arthritis in hands?

Yet surgery to repair the damage from hand arthritis is relatively rare. One reason is that finger surgery has a high complication and failure rate. It can also sacrifice mobility for pain relief. The two main surgical options for hand arthritis are fusion (arthrodesis) and total knuckle replacement (arthroplasty).