If you have pain at the base of your thumb, you might have something called rhizarthrosis. This is a type of arthritis that affects the thumb joint. Many people with this condition wonder what treatment works best. A recent study compared two different treatments: shock wave therapy and exercises. Both treatments helped people feel better. But one treatment showed some extra benefits that lasted longer.
Key Findings at a Glance
- Both shock wave therapy and exercises helped reduce thumb pain and improve hand function
- Patients who received shock wave therapy felt more improvement at 1, 3, and 6 months
- All patients also wore a thumb brace during treatment
- The study followed 72 people with thumb arthritis for 6 months
- Shock wave treatment showed better lasting effects compared to exercises alone
In this article, you will learn:
- What this study discovered about treating thumb arthritis
- How shock wave therapy compares to exercises
- What results patients experienced over 6 months
In This Article
What Is Rhizarthrosis and Why Does It Hurt?
Rhizarthrosis is a big word for arthritis of the thumb. It happens at the base of your thumb where it connects to your wrist. This is the most common type of arthritis in the hand. When you have this condition, the joint wears down over time. This causes pain when you grip things, open jars, or turn keys.
The study explains that rhizarthrosis is responsible for pain, disability, and reduced functionality. That means it not only hurts but also makes it harder to do everyday tasks. You might notice it becomes difficult to write, button your shirt, or hold a cup. These challenges can affect your daily life in big ways.
You may be wondering why this matters. Understanding what causes your pain is the first step to finding relief.
What Did This Study Do?
Researchers wanted to find out which treatment helps thumb arthritis better. According to this study, 72 patients with rhizarthrosis joined the research. The doctors divided these patients into two groups randomly. Random means nobody chose which group they joined. It happened by chance, like flipping a coin.
One group received shock wave therapy. The other group did exercises. Everyone in both groups also wore a special brace on their thumb. A brace is like a support that holds your thumb still so it can rest and heal.
The doctors checked on patients at the beginning of the study. Then they checked again at 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months. At each visit, they measured several things.
What Did the Doctors Measure?
Research shows that the doctors looked at four main things:
- Pain level: They used something called VAS, which stands for Visual Analog Scale. This is just a way to measure how much something hurts on a scale.
- Hand function: They used FIHOA, which measures how well you can use your hand for daily tasks.
- Disability: They used DASH, which measures how much your hand problem affects your life.
- How much better patients felt: They used the Roles and Maudsley Score, which asks patients if they feel improvement.
Let us look closer. These measurements help doctors understand the full picture. Pain is important, but so is being able to use your hand in real life.
What Is Shock Wave Therapy?
You might be wondering what shock wave therapy actually is. Shock waves are strong sound waves that travel into your body. They are not electric shocks. Think of them more like very strong vibrations. A doctor uses a special machine that sends these waves through your skin to the painful area.
This treatment has been used for many years for different pain problems. Doctors use it for heel pain, shoulder pain, and other joint problems. Now researchers wanted to see if it helps thumb arthritis too.
What Happened During the 6 Months?
According to this study, both groups got better over time. This is good news. It means both treatments helped reduce pain and improve hand use. In both groups, there was a significant improvement in all scores when comparing the beginning to 6 months later.
Here is where it gets interesting. Even though both groups improved, patients noticed different levels of improvement. The people who got shock wave therapy felt more improvement than the people who did exercises. This difference showed up at every checkup: at 1 month, at 3 months, and at 6 months.
What About Pain and Daily Activities?
The researchers did a special type of math called regression analysis. This helps figure out what really causes changes. Research shows that the reduction in pain (VAS) and disability (DASH) were statistically influenced by shock wave treatment. “Statistically influenced” means the shock wave treatment really did make a difference. It was not just by chance.
The study notes this happened with strong evidence, marked as p < 0.001. This is science language that means the results are very reliable.
Which Treatment Worked Better?
Both treatments worked. That is the first important point. If you can only do exercises or if shock wave therapy is not available near you, exercises with a brace still help. Studies indicate that exercises combined with a thumb brace can reduce your pain and help you use your hand better.
However, according to medical evidence from this study, shock wave therapy showed some advantages. Patients reported feeling better improvement. The benefits seemed to last well through the 6 month period. The study conclusion states that shock wave treatment could ensure greater persistence of improvements. “Persistence” means the improvements stick around longer.
| Treatment | Results |
|---|---|
| Exercises + Brace | Reduced pain and improved function |
| Shock Wave Therapy + Brace | Reduced pain and improved function, with better patient-reported improvement and longer lasting effects |
Why Might Shock Waves Help More?
The study does not explain exactly why shock waves work better. But it shows that patients felt more improvement. Sometimes treatments work through different pathways in the body. Shock waves might help tissues heal in ways that exercises alone do not. More research will help us understand this better in the future.
About This Site
This website helps you understand medical science about thumb pain and rhizarthrosis. We read published scientific articles from real medical journals. Then we explain them in simple language that everyone can understand. We never make up facts. Everything comes from actual research studies. If you found this article helpful, we invite you to explore more content on our site. You can learn about different treatments, what causes thumb arthritis, and how to manage your symptoms.
Common Questions
Does shock wave therapy hurt?
The study does not mention pain during the treatment itself. Shock wave therapy can feel uncomfortable for some people, but many patients tolerate it well. You should ask your doctor what to expect before starting treatment.
How long does it take to feel better?
According to this study, patients were checked at 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months. Improvements were seen at all these time points. This suggests you might start feeling better within the first month, and improvement continues over time.
Do I need the thumb brace?
In this study, everyone wore a thumb brace along with their treatment. The brace helps rest the joint. The study design suggests that the brace is an important part of treatment for both approaches.
Can I do exercises at home?
The study mentions exercises as one treatment option. Many thumb exercises can be done at home. However, you should learn the correct exercises from a healthcare professional first to make sure you do them safely and effectively.
What Does This Mean for You?
If you have thumb arthritis, this research brings hope. Both exercises and shock wave therapy can help reduce your pain and improve how your hand works. Research shows that both therapies are effective in managing patients suffering from arthritis of the first finger.
If shock wave therapy is available to you, this study suggests it might give you better lasting results. But if it is not available, exercises combined with a thumb brace still offer real benefits. The important thing is to seek treatment rather than living with pain.
Talk to your doctor about which treatment might work best for you. Your personal situation, other health conditions, and what is available in your area all matter. This study gives you good information to discuss with your healthcare team.
Important Information
This article is for educational purposes only. It is not medical advice. It does not replace talking to your doctor or other healthcare provider. Every person is different. What works for one person may not work the same way for another. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional before starting any new treatment. Only your doctor can evaluate your specific condition and recommend the right treatment for you.
Study Source
This article is based on research published by Covelli, I., De Giorgi, S., Di Lorenzo, A., Pavone, A., Salvato, F., Rifino, F., Moretti, B., Solarino, G., and Notarnicola, A. in the journal Life (Basel) in 2024.
You can read the full study here: https://doi.org/10.3390/life14111453
Compare every treatment option side by side before making any decisions.
Treatment Comparison
