If your thumb hurts when you grip things or twist a jar lid, you are not alone. Many people suffer from thumb arthritis at the base of the thumb. Scientists recently tested a special brace made with a 3D printer combined with hand therapy to see if it could help.
Here is what they discovered:
- Pain improved in 5 out of 6 people
- Grip strength and pinch strength got better for most participants
- Everyone loved using the 3D printed brace
Key Findings at a Glance
- 83.3% of participants experienced pain reduction after wearing a 3D printed thumb brace and attending therapy sessions.
- Grip strength improved in 4 out of 6 cases when using the brace with occupational therapy.
- All 6 participants reported satisfaction with the 3D printed orthosis, praising its comfort and ease of use.
- The treatment program included 14 occupational therapy sessions over 7 weeks plus continuous brace wear.
- Studies indicate this approach is effective for stage I and II rhizarthrosis without surgery.
In This Article
- 📌 What Is Rhizarthrosis?
- 📌 How Did This Study Work?
- 📌 Who Participated in the Study?
- 📌 What Happened to Pain Levels?
- 📌 Did Strength Improve?
- 📌 Were People Happy with the Brace?
- 📌 Common Questions
- 📌 What Does This Mean for You?
- 📌 Important Information
- 📌 Study Source
What Is Rhizarthrosis?
What is Rhizarthrosis?
Rhizarthrosis is arthritis at the base of your thumb. It happens where your thumb bone meets your wrist bone in a joint called the trapeziometacarpal joint (the joint where the base of the thumb meets the wrist). When the cushion between these bones wears away, it causes pain and weakness.
This condition usually starts when the ligaments become too loose. Ligaments are like strong rubber bands that hold your bones together. When they stretch out, the joint moves around too much.
Over time, this extra movement wears down the joint. You may be wondering why this matters. It matters because everyday activities like opening jars, turning keys, or holding a pen become painful and difficult.
How Did This Study Work?
According to this study, researchers wanted to test if a special thumb brace could help people with early stage rhizarthrosis. The brace was made using a 3D printer, which is a machine that creates objects layer by layer from plastic.
The study combined two treatments:
- Wearing the 3D printed brace all the time
- Going to occupational therapy sessions twice a week for 14 sessions total
Occupational therapy means working with a trained expert who helps you do everyday activities more easily. The therapist teaches exercises and ways to protect your thumb during daily tasks.
Here is where it gets interesting. The researchers measured pain using a scale from 0 to 10. They also measured how strong people could grip and pinch using special tools.
Who Participated in the Study?
Research shows that 6 people joined this study. The group included 4 women and 2 men. Their average age was about 54 years old.
Most of them were right handed and had completed higher education. Half of them were married. The important thing was that all of them had stage I or stage II rhizarthrosis, which means the arthritis was in the early stages.
| Detail | Finding |
|---|---|
| Number of Participants | 6 people |
| Women | 4 |
| Men | 2 |
| Average Age | 54.3 years |
| Right Handed | 83% |
What Happened to Pain Levels?
The results were encouraging. According to medical evidence from this research, pain improved for 5 out of 6 people. That means 83.3% of participants felt less pain after treatment.
Let us look closer at the numbers. Before treatment started, pain levels ranged from 3 to 10 on the scale. After wearing the brace and going to therapy, pain levels dropped to between 0 and 6.
Some people went from severe pain to no pain at all. Others still had some pain but much less than before. This is important because less pain means you can do more of the things you enjoy.
Did Strength Improve?
Studies indicate that strength got better for most people too. The researchers measured different types of grip and pinch:
- Pulp pinch: This is when you pinch something between the pads of your thumb and finger, like holding a coin. This improved in 5 cases.
- Tripod pinch: This is when you use three fingers together, like holding a pencil. This improved in 4 cases.
- Handgrip: This is the full strength of your whole hand closing, like shaking hands. This improved in 4 cases.
- Lateral pinch: This is when you pinch between your thumb side and finger, like holding a key. This improved in 2 cases.
These improvements mean that everyday activities become easier. You can hold things more firmly. You can write for longer. You can open containers without as much struggle.
Were People Happy with the Brace?
Everyone in the study said they were satisfied with the 3D printed brace. All 6 participants gave positive feedback.
They especially liked three things:
- Ease of use: The brace was simple to put on and take off
- Monitoring services: The therapy team checked on them regularly
- Comfort: The brace felt good to wear throughout the day
You may be wondering why a 3D printed brace is different. Traditional braces are made in standard sizes. A 3D printed brace can be customized to fit your exact hand shape. This makes it more comfortable and effective.
About This Site
This website helps you understand thumb pain and rhizarthrosis by translating published scientific studies into simple language. We only use real medical research from trusted journals. Everything you read here comes from actual studies done by doctors and scientists. You can explore more articles to learn about different treatments, causes, and ways to manage your thumb arthritis.
Common Questions
How long did people wear the brace?
According to this study, participants wore the brace continuously while attending 14 occupational therapy sessions over about 7 weeks. The sessions happened twice each week.
Does the 3D printed brace require surgery?
No. This treatment does not involve any surgery at all. The brace is worn on the outside of your hand, and the therapy involves exercises and education.
What stages of thumb arthritis did this study include?
Research shows that this study only included people with stage I and stage II rhizarthrosis. These are the early stages of thumb arthritis.
Did everyone improve the same amount?
No. Some people improved more than others. Pain got better for 5 out of 6 people. Different types of strength improved for different numbers of people. But everyone was satisfied with the treatment.
What Does This Mean for You?
If you have early stage thumb arthritis, this research brings hope. Studies indicate that wearing a 3D printed brace along with hand therapy can reduce your pain and improve your strength.
The treatment does not require surgery. It takes commitment to wear the brace and attend therapy sessions. But the results show that most people feel better and can do more with their hands.
If your thumb hurts, talk to your doctor or an occupational therapist. Ask if this type of treatment might work for you. Every person is different, but this study shows that combining a custom brace with professional therapy can make a real difference.
You deserve to live with less pain and more ability to do the things you love.
Important Information
This article shares information from medical research. It is not medical advice. It does not replace talking to your doctor or healthcare provider. Always consult with a qualified medical professional before starting any treatment. Your doctor knows your personal health situation and can guide you to the best options for your specific needs.
Study Source
This article is based on research by Marinho, Santos, Nardi, Sime, and Coutinho, published in 2020 in Cadernos Brasileiros de Terapia Ocupacional.