How do you treat basal thumb pain?

How do you treat basal thumb pain?

To relieve pain, your doctor might recommend:

1. Topical medications, such as capsaicin or diclofenac, which are applied to the skin over the joint.
2. Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) or naproxen sodium (Aleve)

What is the basal joint of the thumb?

The thumb basal joint, also known as the carpometacarpal (CMC) joint, is a specialized saddle-shaped joint that is formed by a small wrist bone (trapezium) and the first of the three bones in the thumb (metacarpal).

Is basal thumb surgery successful?

Pros: Removing the entire trapezium eliminates the possibility of arthritis returning and, according to Dr. Ruch, LRTI has a 96 percent success rate. “Most patients achieve complete pain relief and mobility equal to that of a healthy thumb, with results lasting at least 15 to 20 years,” he says.

Why does my non dominant thumb hurt?

It occurs when cartilage wears away from the ends of the bones that form the joint at the base of your thumb. It causes pain, especially when you try to pinch or grab things. Also called thumb arthritis, this condition affects the non-dominant hand more often than the dominant hand.

Is basal joint surgery painful?

Because of the smaller incisions, there is only mild surgical pain, and many patients only require oral pain medicine for the first few days after surgery. Because the procedure is minimally invasive, stability of the thumb base is maintained and additional incisions for using your own tendon are not needed.

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.

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 do you fix basal arthritis?

How is basal joint arthritis treated? Conservative treatments include icing the joint, taking anti-inflammatory medications, wearing a supportive splint, or getting cortisone injections into the joint. Surgical options include fusing the bones that make up the basal joint or reconstructing the joint.

Why do my thumb pop when I bend them?

Sometimes, a tendon gets inflamed and swollen. Long-term irritation of the tendon sheath can lead to scarring and thickening that affect the tendon’s motion. When this happens, bending your finger or thumb pulls the inflamed tendon through a narrowed sheath and makes it snap or pop.

What is the recovery time for basal thumb surgery?

Recovering the early movement takes six to eight weeks, but increasing the strength of the thumb pinch can take six months. After surgery, your hand will be painful. Take pain relief medication for the first 48 hours and thereafter, as necessary.