If your thumb hurts at the base when you grip or pinch things, you are not alone. Many people suffer from thumb arthritis, and finding relief can feel like a long journey. This article explains a study about a special injection that may help reduce thumb pain and improve how your thumb works.
Key Findings at a Glance
- Research shows that a single injection of NASHA hyaluronic acid reduced thumb pain by about 28% over six months.
- According to this study, pain relief started as early as one month after the injection and continued to improve over time.
- Studies indicate that 35 patients with thumb arthritis experienced improvements in pain, thumb movement, and pinch strength.
- Medical evidence suggests the treatment was well tolerated, with only mild injection site reactions in about 11% of patients.
- No serious allergic reactions or complications were reported in the study.
Here are three important things you should know:
- This treatment uses a gel made from hyaluronic acid, which is a natural substance that cushions your joints.
- The study followed 35 people for six months after a single injection in their thumb.
- Most people felt less pain and could use their thumb better after the treatment.
In This Article
- • What Is Thumb Arthritis and Why Does It Hurt?
- • What Did This Study Test?
- • Who Was in the Study?
- • What Happened During the Study?
- • What Were the Results?
- • Were There Any Problems or Side Effects?
- • Frequently Asked Questions
- • What Does This Mean for You?
- • Important Disclaimer
- • Scientific Source
What Is Thumb Arthritis and Why Does It Hurt?
Thumb arthritis happens at the base of your thumb where two bones meet. This place is called the trapeziometacarpal joint, or TMC joint for short. Doctors sometimes call this problem rhizarthrosis.
When you have this condition, gripping a jar, turning a key, or even buttoning your shirt can become very painful. The pain happens because the smooth cushion inside your joint has worn down. Without that cushion, the bones rub together. This creates swelling and discomfort.
You may be wondering why this matters. Well, your thumb is very important for almost everything you do with your hands. When it hurts, daily life becomes much harder.
What Did This Study Test?
According to this study, researchers wanted to see if a special injection could help people with thumb arthritis. The injection contains something called NASHA, which stands for nonanimal hyaluronic acid. This is a thick gel that acts like the natural fluid that cushions your joints.
The researchers called this type of treatment viscosupplementation. That big word simply means adding a thick fluid to your joint to help it work better.
Here is where it gets interesting. This was not a pill or a series of injections. The doctors gave just one injection and then watched what happened over six months.
Who Was in the Study?
The study included 35 people who had thumb arthritis. Most of them were women (about 86%), and the average age was about 61 years old.
To join the study, each person had to meet certain conditions:
- They had to have arthritis in one thumb joint at the base.
- Their arthritis had to be at a middle stage, called Eaton Littler grade II or III.
- They had to have pain that was at least a 4 out of 10 on a pain scale.
Let us look closer at what that pain scale means. A score of 0 means no pain at all. A score of 10 means the worst pain you can imagine. A score of 4 or higher means the pain is bad enough to really bother you in your daily life.
What Happened During the Study?
Each person received one injection of NASHA directly into their painful thumb joint. Then doctors followed them for six months.
During those six months, the researchers measured several things:
- How much pain the person felt on the pain scale
- How well they could use their arm, shoulder, and hand (measured with a questionnaire called QuickDASH)
- How well their thumb could move and oppose the other fingers (measured with something called the Kapandji thumb opposition test)
- How much they could spread their thumb away from their hand (called radial abduction)
- How much they could bend the middle joint of their thumb
- How strong their pinch was when gripping things
These measurements helped doctors understand not just if pain went down, but also if people could actually use their thumb better in real life.
What Were the Results?
Research shows that the injection helped reduce pain. Over the six months, the average pain score went down by about 2 points. That means pain decreased by about 28%.
This might not sound like a huge number, but for someone living with constant thumb pain, it can make a real difference. The pain relief started quickly. By the first month, pain had already dropped by about 27%. Then it kept improving slowly over the next five months.
| Time After Injection | Pain Reduction |
|---|---|
| 1 Month | About 27% |
| 6 Months | About 28% |
According to medical evidence, most of the other measurements also improved. People could move their thumb better. They could pinch and grip with more strength. Their scores on the QuickDASH questionnaire got better, which means they found it easier to do everyday tasks with their hands.
All of these improvements were statistically significant. That means the changes were real and not just due to chance.
Were There Any Problems or Side Effects?
Studies indicate that the treatment was safe for most people. Only four people out of 35 had any side effects. That is about 11% of the group.
The side effects were mild. They were reactions at the place where the needle went in, like soreness, redness, or swelling. These are called injection site reactions. They are common with any injection and usually go away on their own.
Here is some reassuring news. There were no serious problems. No one had a severe allergic reaction. No one had to stop the study because of side effects.
This safety profile is important. When you are thinking about a treatment, you want to know not just if it works, but also if it is safe.
Why Does Safety Matter So Much?
For people living with thumb pain, finding a treatment that is both effective and safe is very important. Many people try pills first, but pills can have side effects that affect your whole body. An injection that goes right into the joint may have fewer risks for the rest of your body.
About This Site
We are here to help you understand the science behind thumb pain and rhizarthrosis. We take real published medical studies and explain them in simple, clear language. Every article we write is based only on actual research from medical journals. We do not make up facts or give opinions. Our goal is to help you have better conversations with your doctor and make informed choices about your health. Please explore more articles on our site to learn about different treatments, causes, and ways to manage thumb arthritis.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the injection take to work?
According to this study, people started feeling less pain within the first month after the injection. Pain continued to improve gradually over the full six months.
Is this injection painful?
The study does not describe how the injection feels, but it reports that only about 11% of people had mild reactions at the injection site, such as soreness or swelling.
Will I need more than one injection?
Research shows that this study used only one injection per person. The effects lasted for at least six months. Whether you might need another injection later would be something to discuss with your doctor.
Can this treatment cure my thumb arthritis?
Medical evidence suggests this treatment helps reduce pain and improve function, but it does not cure arthritis. Arthritis is a condition where the joint cushion wears away. The injection adds cushioning back temporarily, which can relieve symptoms.
What Does This Mean for You?
If you have been struggling with thumb pain, this research offers hope. Studies indicate that a single injection of hyaluronic acid may help reduce your pain and improve how well your thumb works. The treatment appears to be safe, with very few side effects.
Of course, every person is different. What works well for one person may not work the same way for another. This study gives you and your doctor useful information to talk about.
If you have tried other treatments without success, or if you want to avoid surgery, this might be worth discussing with your healthcare provider. Bring this information with you to your next appointment. Ask if this type of injection could be right for your situation.
Remember, you deserve to live with less pain. Taking the time to learn about your options is an important step toward feeling better.
Important Disclaimer
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’s health situation is unique. Only your doctor can tell you what treatment is right for you. Always consult a qualified medical professional before making any decisions about your health or treatment.
Scientific Source
Study Reference: Velasco, E., Ribera, M. V., & Pi, J. (2017). Single-arm open-label study of Durolane (NASHA nonanimal hyaluronic acid) for the treatment of osteoarthritis of the thumb. Open Access Rheumatology.