Pain at the base of the thumb is common. It can make it hard to open a jar, turn a key, or hold a coffee cup. Many people get this as they age. It is especially common in women after menopause.
A recent study looked at rhizarthrosis. This is arthritis in the first joint of the thumb. The researchers wanted to help therapists learn how to care for people with this condition. Their work gives clues about why your thumb hurts and what you can do about it.
- Rhizarthrosis is arthritis of the thumb joint, most common in women after menopause
- Pain starts during certain movements but can become constant and even disturb sleep
- Conservative treatment including joint mobilization, exercises, and special splints helps reduce pain
- Therapy works best when it combines several approaches together
- Surgery is only needed when other treatments do not help
In this article:
- What is rhizarthrosis?
- Who gets thumb arthritis?
- Why does it happen?
- What symptoms should you watch for?
- How do doctors diagnose it?
- What treatments can help?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
- Disclaimer
- Article Citation
What is rhizarthrosis?
According to this study, rhizarthrosis is a degenerative process. That means the joint wears down over time. Think of it like the way a door hinge can get rusty and stiff after many years of use.
This joint is special because it allows your thumb to move in many directions. You can touch your thumb to each finger. You can move it away from your hand and back again. All this movement requires a stable joint with strong supporting parts.
Who gets thumb arthritis?
Research shows that rhizarthrosis is much more common in women than in men. It happens especially often after menopause. Menopause is the time in a woman’s life when her monthly periods stop, usually around age 50.
Here is what the study mentions. Hormones may play a role. Hormones are chemicals in your body that control many things. When hormone levels change during menopause, they may affect the joints.
Age is another important factor. As we grow older, our joints wear down. This is normal, but some people have more problems than others.
Why does it happen?
The researchers found that rhizarthrosis involves both ligaments and muscles. Ligaments are like strong rubber bands that hold bones together. Muscles are the parts that help you move.
According to this study, the causes range from hormonal influences to mechanical factors. Mechanical factors mean the physical forces on the joint. Every time you grip something tightly, you put force on your thumb joint.
Let us look closer at what keeps the thumb joint stable. The joint needs good alignment. This means the bones need to fit together properly. It also needs strong ligaments to hold everything in place. When these parts become weak or loose, the joint can become unstable.
You may be wondering why this matters. When a joint becomes unstable, the bones rub together in ways they should not. This rubbing causes wear and damage. Over time, this damage leads to arthritis.
What symptoms should you watch for?
Research shows that rhizarthrosis starts with pain at the base of the thumb. At first, the pain only happens during certain movements. You might notice it when opening a jar or turning a doorknob.
As time goes on, the pain can change. It may become constant. Some people find that the pain even wakes them up at night. This can be very frustrating and tiring.
The study also describes other changes. Your grip strength gets weaker. This makes everyday tasks harder. You might drop things more often. Opening containers becomes difficult.
When rhizarthrosis lasts a long time, more problems develop:
- The joint becomes stiff and hard to move
- The thumb may develop a deformity called a “Z thumb” because of its bent shape
- The muscles in your thumb and hand may get smaller and weaker, which doctors call atrophy
- Simple daily activities become challenging and frustrating
How do doctors diagnose it?
According to this study, doctors use several methods to check for rhizarthrosis. First, they ask about your pain. They want to know when it hurts and what makes it better or worse.
Next, they examine how well your thumb joint moves. They gently move your thumb in different directions. They also feel the joint with their fingers. This is called palpation.
The study mentions two special tests:
| Test Name | What It Does |
|---|---|
| Grind Test | The doctor presses and rotates your thumb joint to see if it causes pain |
| Lever Test | The doctor checks how stable your joint is by applying gentle pressure |
Doctors also use X-rays. These are special pictures that show your bones. The X-rays can reveal important signs of arthritis. The study explains that doctors look for two main things on X-rays:
- Joint space degeneration, which means the space between the bones gets smaller
- Osteophytes, which are extra bits of bone that grow around the joint, like bumps
Doctors use something called the Eaton-Littler classification to describe how advanced the arthritis is. This system has different stages, from early to severe.
What treatments can help?
The good news is that many treatments can help. Research shows that conservative treatment is often very effective. Conservative means treatments that do not involve surgery.
What Are the Goals of Treatment?
According to this study, conservative treatment has three main goals:
- Reduce your pain so you feel more comfortable
- Decrease stress on the joint so it can heal
- Help you use your hand better for everyday tasks
What Role Do Orthoses Play?
The study mentions that orthoses help stabilize the joint. An orthosis is a brace or splint that supports your thumb. It holds the joint in a good position. This gives the joint a chance to rest and reduces pain.
Can Exercise Really Help?
Yes. The research found that therapeutic exercises are good. These are special exercises that focus on making your muscles stronger. Strong muscles help support the joint.
The study emphasizes dynamic stability. This means your muscles work together to keep the joint stable while you move. Your therapist can teach you the right exercises.
What About Manual Therapy?
Manual therapy means treatments where a therapist uses their hands to help you. The study describes several types:
- Neurodynamic techniques work with the nerves around your thumb
- Kaltenborn techniques use gentle gliding movements of the joint
- Mulligan techniques combine movement with gentle pressure
- Maitland techniques use rhythmic movements to reduce pain
All of these approaches aim to reduce pain and help the joint move better.
What Does the Research Say Works Best?
This is interesting. Studies show that a multimodal intervention works best. Multimodal means using several approaches together.
According to this study, the most effective treatment combines three things:
- Joint mobilization, which means gentle movements of the thumb joint
- Neural mobilization, which means gentle movements to help the nerves
- Exercise to strengthen the muscles
This combination helps reduce pain in people with rhizarthrosis. You get better results when you use all three together than when you use just one.
When Is Surgery Needed?
The study is clear about this. Surgery is only recommended when conservative therapy fails. In other words, doctors try all the gentler treatments first. Only if those do not help enough do they consider surgery.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Will my thumb arthritis get worse over time?
Research shows that rhizarthrosis can go from pain during some movements to constant pain. Chronic cases may lead to stiffness and deformities. But with proper treatment, many people find relief and can manage.
Do I need surgery for thumb arthritis?
According to this study, surgery is only needed when conservative treatments do not work. Most people benefit from a mix of joint mobilization, exercises, and braces. Your doctor will try these first.
Why is thumb arthritis more common in women?
The research says rhizarthrosis is especially common in women after menopause. Hormonal changes may play a role. The exact reasons are still studied, but both hormones and mechanical factors contribute.
Can exercise really help my thumb pain?
Yes. Studies show exercise focusing on muscle strength and stability helps. When used with joint mobilization and nerve treatments, exercise helps reduce pain and improve function.
Conclusion
Thumb pain from rhizarthrosis affects many people, especially women after menopause. The condition is wear and tear of the thumb joint, causing pain, weakness, and trouble with daily tasks.
The good news is that research supports conservative treatments. A combination of joint mobilization, nerve treatments, exercises, and braces can reduce your pain. These approaches work together to help your joint work better.
If you have thumb pain, talk with your doctor or therapist. They can check your condition and make a plan for you. Surgery is only considered when other treatments do not give enough relief.
You do not have to live with constant thumb pain. Help is available, and many people find relief with the right treatment.
Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only. It is not medical advice. Always talk to your healthcare provider about your specific condition and treatment options. Only a qualified medical professional can diagnose rhizarthrosis and recommend the best plan for you.
Article Citation
This article is based on research by Colonna, Saverio and Borghi, Corrado, published in Cureus in 2024.