Why Does the Base of My Thumb Hurt So Much?

If you feel pain at the base of your thumb, you are not alone. This pain can make it hard to open jars, turn keys, or even hold a coffee cup. Many people experience this problem as they get older. It is especially common in women after menopause.

A recent study looked at rhizarthrosis, which is a type of arthritis that affects the thumb joint. The researchers wanted to help therapists understand how to care for people with this condition. Their work gives us important clues about why your thumb hurts and what you can do about it.

In this article:

• What Is Rhizarthrosis?
• Who Gets Thumb Arthritis?
• Why Does It Happen?
• What Symptoms Should You Watch For?
• How Do Doctors Diagnose It?
• What Treatments Can Help?
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Conclusion
• Disclaimer
• Article Citation

What Is Rhizarthrosis?

According to this study, rhizarthrosis is a degenerative process. That means the joint wears down over time. Think of it like the way a door hinge can get rusty and stiff after many years of use.

This joint is special because it allows your thumb to move in many directions. You can touch your thumb to each finger. You can move it away from your hand and back again. All this movement requires a stable joint with strong supporting parts.

Who Gets Thumb Arthritis?

Research shows that rhizarthrosis is much more common in women than in men. It happens especially often after menopause. Menopause is the time in a woman’s life when her monthly periods stop, usually around age 50.

Here is where it gets interesting. The study mentions that hormones may play a role. Hormones are chemicals in your body that control many things. When hormone levels change during menopause, it may affect the joints.

Age is another important factor. As we grow older, our joints naturally experience more wear and tear. This is normal, but some people experience more problems than others.

Why Does It Happen?

The researchers found that rhizarthrosis involves both ligaments and muscles. Ligaments are like strong rubber bands that hold bones together. Muscles are the parts that help you move.

According to this study, the causes range from hormonal influences to mechanical factors. Mechanical factors means the physical forces on the joint. Every time you grip something tightly, you put force on your thumb joint.

Let us look closer at what keeps the thumb joint stable. The joint needs good alignment. This means the bones need to fit together properly. It also needs strong ligaments to hold everything in place. When these parts become weak or loose, the joint can become unstable.

You may be wondering why this matters. When a joint becomes unstable, the bones rub together in ways they should not. This rubbing causes wear and damage. Over time, this damage leads to arthritis.

What Symptoms Should You Watch For?

Research shows that rhizarthrosis starts with pain at the base of the thumb. At first, the pain only happens during certain movements. You might notice it when opening a jar or turning a doorknob.

As time goes on, the pain can change. It may become constant. Some people find that the pain even wakes them up at night. This can be very frustrating and tiring.

The study also describes other changes that happen. Your grip strength gets weaker. This makes everyday tasks harder. You might drop things more often. Opening containers becomes difficult.

When rhizarthrosis becomes chronic, which means it lasts a long time, more problems develop:

• The joint becomes stiff and hard to move
• The thumb may develop a deformity called a “Z thumb” because of its bent shape
• The muscles in your thumb and hand may get smaller and weaker, which doctors call atrophy
• Simple daily activities become challenging and frustrating

How Do Doctors Diagnose It?

According to this study, doctors use several methods to check for rhizarthrosis. First, they ask about your pain. They want to know when it hurts and what makes it better or worse.

Next, they examine how well your thumb joint moves. They gently move your thumb in different directions. They also feel the joint with their fingers. This is called palpation.

The study mentions two special tests:

Doctors also use X-rays. These are special pictures that show your bones. The X-rays can reveal important signs of arthritis. The study explains that doctors look for two main things on X-rays:

• Joint space degeneration, which means the space between the bones gets smaller
• Osteophytes, which are extra bits of bone that grow around the joint, like bumps

Doctors use something called the Eaton-Littler classification to describe how advanced the arthritis is. This system has different stages, from early to severe.

What Treatments Can Help?

The good news is that many treatments can help. Research shows that conservative treatment is often very effective. Conservative means treatments that do not involve surgery.

What Are the Goals of Treatment?

According to this study, conservative treatment has three main goals:

• Reduce your pain so you feel more comfortable
• Decrease stress on the joint so it can heal
• Help you use your hand better for everyday tasks

What Role Do Orthoses Play?

The study mentions that orthoses help stabilize the joint. An orthosis is a special brace or splint that supports your thumb. It holds the joint in a good position. This gives the joint a chance to rest and reduces pain.

Can Exercise Really Help?

Yes. The research found that therapeutic exercises are beneficial. These are special exercises that focus on making your muscles stronger. Strong muscles help support the joint.

The study emphasizes something called dynamic stability. This means your muscles work together to keep the joint stable while you move. Your therapist can teach you the right exercises.

What About Manual Therapy?

Manual therapy means treatments where a therapist uses their hands to help you. The study describes several types:

• Neurodynamic techniques work with the nerves around your thumb
• Kaltenborn techniques use gentle gliding movements of the joint
• Mulligan techniques combine movement with gentle pressure
• Maitland techniques use rhythmic movements to reduce pain

All of these approaches target pain reduction. They also help improve how the joint moves and works.

What Does the Research Say Works Best?

Here is where it gets really interesting. Studies show that a multimodal intervention works best. Multimodal means using several different approaches together.

According to this study, the most effective treatment combines three things:

1. Joint mobilization, which means gentle movements of the thumb joint
2. Neural mobilization, which means gentle movements to help the nerves
3. Exercise to strengthen the muscles

This combination is beneficial in reducing pain in patients with rhizarthrosis. You get better results when you use all three together than when you use just one.

When Is Surgery Needed?

The study is clear about this. Surgery is only indicated when conservative therapy fails. Indicated means recommended or necessary. In other words, doctors try all the gentler treatments first. Only if those do not help enough do they consider surgery.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my thumb arthritis get worse over time?

Research shows that rhizarthrosis can progress from pain during certain movements to constant pain. Chronic cases may lead to joint stiffness and deformities. However, with proper treatment, many people find good relief and can manage their symptoms well.

Do I need surgery for thumb arthritis?

According to this study, surgery is only needed when conservative treatments do not work. Most people benefit from a combination of joint mobilization, exercises, and supportive braces. Your doctor will try these approaches first.

Why is thumb arthritis more common in women?

The research indicates that rhizarthrosis is especially common in women after menopause. Hormonal changes may play a role. The exact reasons are still being studied, but both hormones and mechanical factors contribute to the condition.

Can exercise really help my thumb pain?

Yes. Studies show that therapeutic exercises focusing on muscle strength and dynamic stability are beneficial. When combined with joint mobilization and nerve treatments, exercise helps reduce pain and improve function.

Conclusion

Thumb pain from rhizarthrosis affects many people, especially women after menopause. The condition involves wear and tear of the thumb joint, causing pain, weakness, and difficulty with daily tasks.

The good news is that research supports conservative treatments. A combination of joint mobilization, nerve treatments, exercises, and supportive braces can significantly reduce your pain. These approaches work together to help your joint function better.

If you are experiencing thumb pain, talk with your doctor or therapist. They can evaluate your condition and create a treatment plan tailored to your needs. Remember, surgery is only considered when other treatments have not provided enough relief.

You do not have to live with constant thumb pain. Help is available, and many people find great relief with the right treatment approach.

Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only. It is not medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider about your specific condition and treatment options. Only a qualified medical professional can diagnose rhizarthrosis and recommend the best treatment plan for you.

Article Citation

This article is based on research by Colonna, Saverio and Borghi, Corrado, published in Cureus in 2024.

https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.52932