If you have pain at the base of your thumb, you know how hard it can be to do simple things. Opening jars, turning keys, or even holding a pen can hurt. This pain often comes from a type of arthritis called rhizarthrosis. That is a big word for arthritis in the thumb joint where your thumb meets your wrist.
A study from Spain looked at a treatment that might help. It tested a single injection of a gel called Durolane. This gel is made from hyaluronic acid, which is a natural substance that helps cushion joints. The researchers wanted to see if one injection could reduce pain and help people use their thumbs better.
Here are three important things this study found:
- Pain went down by about 28% over six months after just one injection
- Most people could move and use their thumbs better after the treatment
- The treatment was safe with only mild side effects
Key Findings at a Glance
- Research shows that 35 patients with thumb arthritis received one injection of hyaluronic acid gel
- According to this study, pain scores dropped by 27.8% over six months
- Studies indicate that pain relief started as early as one month after injection with a 26.5% reduction
- Medical evidence shows that hand function improved in multiple measurements including grip strength and thumb movement
- Only four patients (11.4%) had mild reactions at the injection site and no serious problems occurred
In This Article
What is thumb arthritis and why does it hurt?
The joint at the base of your thumb is called the trapeziometacarpal joint. That is a long name for the spot where your thumb bone meets a small bone in your wrist called the trapezium. When you get arthritis in this joint, doctors call it rhizarthrosis.
This type of arthritis is very common. It makes everyday tasks difficult. Many people feel frustrated when their thumbs hurt all the time. You may be wondering why this matters so much.
Your thumb is special. It helps you grip, pinch, and hold things. When it hurts, your whole hand becomes less useful. That affects your quality of life in big ways.
How did this study work?
The researchers worked in three hospitals in Barcelona, Spain. They looked for people who had thumb arthritis that was not too mild and not too severe. The doctors checked this using something called the Eaton Littler grade. This is a scale that tells how bad the arthritis is. People in the study had grade II or III arthritis.
Here is where it gets interesting. Everyone in the study had to have a pain level of at least 4 out of 10. The doctors measured pain using a visual analog scale. This is just a simple line where 0 means no pain and 10 means the worst pain you can imagine.
Thirty five people joined the study. Most of them were women, which makes sense because thumb arthritis happens more often in women. The average age was about 61 years old.
Each person got one injection of the hyaluronic acid gel into their painful thumb joint. Then the doctors watched what happened over the next six months.
What happened to the pain?
According to this study, the main thing researchers wanted to know was whether pain got better. They measured pain at the start. Then they checked again at different times over six months.
Research shows that pain went down. The average pain score dropped by 2 points on the 10 point scale. That might not sound like much. But it was a reduction of almost 28%. For many people, that much less pain makes a real difference.
Let us look closer at when the pain relief started. People began feeling better quickly. After just one month, pain had already dropped by more than 26%. The pain kept getting better slowly over the whole six months.
| Time Point | Pain Reduction |
|---|---|
| 1 Month | 26.5% |
| 6 Months | 27.8% |
The improvement was steady. That means the treatment kept working over time. It did not wear off quickly.
What other improvements did people notice?
Pain is important. But being able to use your hand matters too. The researchers measured several things about how well the thumb worked.
They used something called QuickDASH. This is a short questionnaire that asks about daily activities. It stands for Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand. The questions ask things like how hard it is to open a jar or write.
Studies indicate that most of these measurements got better after the injection. People could move their thumbs more easily. They could bend their thumb joint better. Their pinch strength improved. This means they could hold things more firmly between their thumb and fingers.
The doctors also checked something called the Kapandji test. This measures how well you can move your thumb to touch different parts of your hand. Better scores on this test mean your thumb can reach more places. That helps you do more tasks.
Were there any side effects?
Medical evidence shows that the treatment was quite safe. Only four people out of 35 had any problems. That is about 11% of the people in the study.
The side effects were all mild. They were reactions at the spot where the needle went in. Some people had a little swelling or soreness right where they got the injection. These problems went away on their own.
No one had a serious reaction. No one had an allergic reaction. This is important because it shows the treatment is generally well tolerated.
You may be wondering if one injection is really enough. This study used just a single injection. That is simpler than treatments that need many injections over time.
About This Site
We know that reading medical studies can be confusing. That is why this site exists. We take published scientific research about thumb pain and rhizarthrosis and translate it into plain language. Every article is based on real medical studies. We never make up facts or give personal opinions.
Our goal is to help you understand what science actually says about treating thumb arthritis. You can explore more articles on this site to learn about other treatments, causes, and ways to manage your symptoms. Knowledge helps you have better conversations with your doctor.
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 their injection. Pain reduction was about 26.5% by one month and continued to improve slightly through six months.
Does the injection hurt?
The study does not describe pain during the injection itself. However, only four patients had mild reactions at the injection site afterward. Most people had no problems at all.
How many injections do you need?
Research shows that this study used only one injection per person. The single injection provided pain relief that lasted for at least six months, which was the full length of the study.
Who can get this treatment?
In this study, patients had moderate thumb arthritis (grade II to III on the Eaton Littler scale) with pain levels of at least 4 out of 10. Your doctor can tell you if this treatment might be right for your situation.
What does this mean for you?
This research suggests that a single injection of hyaluronic acid gel can help reduce thumb arthritis pain. The relief starts within a month and lasts for at least six months. Most people also find they can use their thumbs better after the treatment.
The treatment appears safe with very few side effects. Only mild reactions happened in a small number of people.
If you have thumb arthritis that has not gotten better with other treatments, this might be an option to discuss with your doctor. It is less invasive than surgery. It involves just one injection instead of multiple visits.
Remember that every person is different. What works for one person might not work the same way for another. Your doctor can look at your specific situation and help you decide if this treatment makes sense for you.
Living with thumb pain is hard. But new treatments are being studied all the time. This research adds to the evidence that hyaluronic acid injections can be a helpful tool for managing rhizarthrosis.
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 examine you and recommend the right treatment for your specific condition.
If you have thumb pain or think you might have arthritis, please see a qualified healthcare professional. They can diagnose your condition properly and discuss all your treatment options with you.
Research Source
Study Citation: 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. DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals).
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