Thumb pain can make small tasks like opening a jar or writing hard. If you have rhizarthrosis or thumb arthritis, you may ask: What is the best treatment? Do you need surgery, especially if your thumb joint bends backward?
A recent study gives some answers. Here are three main points it shows:
- Thumb arthritis is common and gets worse with age.
- Hyperextension of the thumb joint doesn’t always need surgical correction.
- A specific surgery called modified Burton-Pellegrini’s trapeziectomy shows good results.
In this article:
- What is rhizarthrosis?
- Why does the thumb joint bend backward?
- What did the study find?
- Does surgery for joint hyperextension help?
What is rhizarthrosis?
Rhizarthrosis is the arthritis at the base of the thumb where it meets the wrist. It is also called trapeziometacarpal arthritis. Over time, wear and tear can wear away the cartilage in this area and cause pain and stiffness.
Thumb arthritis affects about 10% of people with arthritis, and it becomes more common as we age, especially in women.
Why does the thumb joint bend backward?
You may see that the joint near the tip of your thumb, the MCP joint, bends backward, or hyperextends. Here is why:
- As thumb arthritis gets worse, the trapeziometacarpal joint moves out of place.
- This move puts extra pressure on the MCP joint and makes it bend backward.
- In most cases, the bend is mild.
You may wonder why this matters. If the MCP joint bends back too much, your thumb may get weaker or harder to use. But is surgery always needed? Let’s look closer.
What did the study find?
A study looked at 32 patients with severe thumb arthritis who had a surgery called modified Burton-Pellegrini’s trapeziectomy. In this surgery, the damaged trapezium bone at the base of the thumb is removed to reduce pain and improve movement.
This is the interesting part. These patients did not have extra surgery to fix the backward bend of the MCP joint. Researchers checked their thumb function and pain after surgery. Here is what they found:
| Outcome | Result |
|---|---|
| Pain relief (VAS score reduction) | 77% |
| DASH score (mean) | 19 |
| PRWHE score (mean) | 21.8 |
Most patients had mild hyperextension, less than 15 degrees, and it did not seem to cause problems. Key pinch and grip strength tests were similar to the other hand.
Does surgery for joint hyperextension help?
The researchers said that surgery for MCP joint hyperextension is not needed if the bend is less than 15 degrees. Treating only the trapeziometacarpal joint arthritis gave patients significant pain relief and better thumb movement.
This means if your thumb bends back slightly but does not bother you much, extra surgery may not be needed. It is best to talk with your doctor about what option is right for you.
FAQ
Can thumb arthritis get better without surgery?
Yes, many mild cases can improve with rest, splints, or exercises. Surgery is usually for severe cases.
What happens during a trapeziectomy?
The surgeon removes a damaged bone at the base of the thumb to reduce pain and improve movement.
How do I know if my thumb joint hyperextension needs surgery?
If bending backward is less than 15 degrees and it does not affect how you use your hand, surgery is not usually necessary.
Does thumb arthritis get worse over time?
Unfortunately, it can get worse over time, but treatments like therapy, splints, or surgery can help manage symptoms.
Conclusion
Thumb arthritis can be painful, but research shows there are surgeries that can help. If you have mild hyperextension of the thumb joint, you may not need extra surgery for that. Always ask your doctor what is best for your own needs.
If you want to learn more about thumb arthritis or treatments, this website can help. We make scientific studies easy to understand so you can see your options.
Disclaimer
This article is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Always talk to a healthcare professional for personalized guidance.
Study Reference
Pogliacomi, F.; Oldani, D.; Schiavi, P.; Pedrazzini, A.; Ferrari, A.; Leigheb, M.; Pedrini, M. F.; Vaienti, E.; Ceccarelli, F.; Calderazzi, F. (2022). Metacarpophalangeal joint hyperextension in rhizartrosis: is surgical correction necessary? Retrieved at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/35604247.