Just Diagnosed with Thumb Arthritis? Start Here.
I’ve organised everything you need to know into a clear, step-by-step journey. No jargon. No overwhelming medical textbooks. Just clear answers backed by research.
- Follow the steps in order if you’re newly diagnosed
- Jump to any section if you already know what you’re looking for
- Every link leads to a detailed guide with scientific references
- Come back anytime — this page is your home base
1 Understand Your Condition
What’s happening inside your thumb joint and why it hurts. Essential reading for every patient.
Thumb Joint Anatomy
How the CMC joint works, why it’s uniquely vulnerable to arthritis, and what causes the pain and deformity.
Who Gets It & Why?
Risk factors including age, sex, genetics, occupation, and joint hypermobility. Understand what caused your condition.
Diagnosis & Imaging
Clinical tests, X-ray findings, and the Eaton-Littler staging system. Know exactly what your diagnosis means.
2 Explore Your Treatment Options
There’s no one-size-fits-all treatment. Your options depend on severity, age, and daily needs.
Non-Surgical Treatment
Splinting, hand therapy, cortisone injections, PRP, and emerging treatments. What works and what doesn’t.
Surgical Treatment
Trapeziectomy, arthroplasty, arthrodesis, and more. Procedures compared with real outcome data.
Implants & Prostheses
Every major thumb joint implant profiled with survival rates, complications, and patient satisfaction data.
3 Compare & Decide
Tools to help you weigh your options and have informed conversations with your surgeon.
Treatment Comparison
All treatment options side by side — from splinting to surgery. Compare evidence, recovery times, and outcomes.
Implant Directory
Every CMC joint prosthesis in one place. Filter by type, compare specifications, and review clinical data.
Splint & Brace Guide
Which splint for which stage? Evidence-based guidance on splint types, when to wear them, and how long.
4 Plan Your Recovery
Whatever treatment path you choose, rehabilitation is key to getting back to daily life.
Recovery & Rehabilitation
Post-treatment exercise protocols, week-by-week recovery timelines, and what to realistically expect.
Clinical Trials
Interested in cutting-edge treatments? Learn how to find and participate in clinical trials for rhizarthrosis.
5 Go Deeper
Reference tools and the latest research.
Medical Glossary
Every medical term on this site explained in plain language. Bookmark this for quick reference.
Latest Articles
New research summaries, treatment updates, and patient guides — published regularly.
About this site: I built Rhizarthrosis.com after being diagnosed with thumb arthritis myself. After months of reading peer-reviewed research, I created this free resource so no patient has to navigate this condition alone. I am not a doctor — but every article is based on published scientific evidence. Read my full story →
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