Advice and resources : Osteoarthritis of the thumb

About the condition

Osteoarthritis is an age-related condition that can cause joints to become painful and stiff. It is the most common type of arthritis in the UK.

As part of the normal aging process and through normal living our joint are exposed to stress. For some this doesn’t cause any symptoms, but for others these normal age-related changes produce pain and stiffness, and we would call this osteoarthritis. 

This can sometimes cause pain, swelling and difficulty moving the joint.

Signs and symptoms

Osteoarthritis affects people in different ways, but more often it develops over many years as part of the normal aging process.

Symptoms of osteoarthritis include:

• pain at the base of the thumb, especially with gripping and/or pinching activities
• stiffness after periods of rest / sleep
• swelling or deformity of the joint
• aching after a period of prolonged use
• loss of strength in gripping and/or pinching activities
• decreased range of movement of the thumb

Treating osteoarthritis of the thumb

Recovery involves easing the symptoms and maintaining movement and strength around your thumb and hand. Consider the following to help manage your symptoms.

• Relative rest (limiting activities and taking regular breaks) may help reduce your pain, as well as changing the position of your hand when gripping, pinching, wringing, or twisting.
• Wearing a thumb-spica splint may ease your pain by limiting the movement of your thumb during repetitive aggravating activities.
• Applying heat (for example, hot water bottle) or cold (for example, a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a damp tea-towel) to the tender area for 10 minutes twice a day can help reduce pain. Please don’t do this if your skin sensation is impaired.
• Use aids such as jar openers or kettle tippers to help reduce stress on your thumb.
• Take your time – do activities in smaller parts and take regular breaks.
• Anti-Inflammatory tablets and gels can help reduce your painful symptoms. Please talk to your GP or pharmacist for further advice.

Medication

Anti-inflammatory tablets and gels can help reduce your painful symptoms. Please talk to your GP or pharmacist for further advice.

Exercises

Complete these gentle exercises little and often to help reduce stiffness and other symptoms. They may be uncomfortable, but they should not significantly increase your symptoms.

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