I Built This Site Because No Patient Should Navigate Thumb Arthritis Alone
From diagnosis to research to creating the most comprehensive free resource on rhizarthrosis.
It started with a sharp pain at the base of my thumb. Opening jars, turning keys, gripping anything — suddenly everyday tasks became a struggle. My doctor said “rhizarthrosis” and told me to come back when it gets worse.
That wasn’t good enough for me. I needed to understand what was happening inside my joint, what my options were, and what the science actually said about each treatment. So I started reading — not blog posts, not forums — peer-reviewed medical journals, systematic reviews, and clinical trial data.
After months of research, hundreds of papers, and conversations with hand surgeons, I realised something: this information exists, but it’s scattered across medical journals that patients can’t access or understand. I decided to change that.
Why This Site Exists
Rhizarthrosis affects 1 in 4 women and 1 in 12 men. Most patients get a diagnosis and very little else.
The Problem
Medical information about thumb arthritis is locked behind paywalls, written in clinical language, and scattered across hundreds of journals. Patients are left Googling and getting conflicting advice.
My Solution
I read the research so you don’t have to. Every article on this site is based on peer-reviewed evidence, translated into plain language, with sources cited so you can verify everything yourself.
The Result
A completely free, comprehensive resource covering every aspect of rhizarthrosis — from understanding your diagnosis to comparing surgical options to planning your recovery.
What You’ll Find Here
Everything I wish I had when I was first diagnosed.
Understanding Your Condition
Anatomy, biomechanics, risk factors, and staging — what’s happening inside your thumb joint and why.
Non-Surgical Treatments
Splinting, hand therapy, cortisone injections, PRP, hyaluronic acid — what the evidence says about each option.
Surgical Options
Trapeziectomy, joint replacement, arthrodesis — procedures compared with real outcome data and recovery timelines.
Implant Comparisons
Every major CMC joint prosthesis profiled — survival rates, complications, FDA/CE status, and patient satisfaction.
Recovery & Rehabilitation
Week-by-week recovery timelines, exercise protocols, and what to realistically expect after treatment.
Latest Research
New studies, clinical trials, and treatment advances — summarised in plain language as they’re published.
How I Research
Every article follows the same rigorous process.
1. Source from peer-reviewed literature — I use PubMed, Cochrane Library, and major orthopaedic journals (JBJS, JHS, Hand) as primary sources. No blog posts, no forums, no manufacturer marketing materials.
2. Prioritise systematic reviews and meta-analyses — When available, I rely on the highest levels of evidence. Individual case reports are noted but never presented as definitive.
3. Translate into plain language — Every piece of medical jargon is explained. If I can’t explain it simply, I haven’t understood it well enough myself.
4. Acknowledge uncertainty — When the evidence is limited, conflicting, or evolving, I say so clearly. I never present emerging research as established fact.
5. Keep it updated — I monitor the literature for new findings and update articles to reflect the latest evidence. Science doesn’t stand still, and neither does this site.
A Note on Trust
I am not a doctor. I am a patient who did deep research and wanted to share it with others in the same situation. This site does not replace medical advice — it gives you the knowledge to have better, more informed conversations with your healthcare provider.
Every claim on this site can be traced back to published research. If you find an error or outdated information, please let me know — I take accuracy seriously.
Contact
Have a question, found an error, or want to share your story? I’d love to hear from you.
Email: contact@rhizarthrosis.com
New to Rhizarthrosis?
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