Cmc thumb joint where is pain

Thumb arthritis occurs when the cartilage in the carpometacarpal CMC joint wears away. Thumb arthritis is common with aging and occurs when cartilage wears away from the ends of the bones that form the joint at the base of your thumb — also known as the carpometacarpal CMC joint. Thumb arthritis can cause severe pain, swelling, and decreased strength and range of motion, making it difficult to do simple tasks, such as turning doorknobs and opening jars.

Treatment generally involves a combination of medication and splints. Severe thumb arthritis might require surgery. Pain is the first and most common symptom of thumb arthritis. Pain can occur at the base of your thumb when you grip, grasp or pinch an object, or use your thumb to apply force. Thumb arthritis commonly occurs with aging. Previous trauma or injury to the thumb joint also can cause thumb arthritis. In a normal thumb joint, cartilage covers the ends of the bones — acting as a cushion and allowing the bones to glide smoothly against each other.

In most cases, surgery for thumb arthritis involves removing some or part of trapezium a bone in the thumb joint with varying ways of stabilizing the joint. Luo explains. It may take up to one year for complete recovery. We offer the latest technological advances and we are active in research that can lead to better treatments. Skip to Main Content. Print Share Download.

What causes thumb arthritis? What are the risk factors for thumb arthritis? What are the symptoms of thumb arthritis? Other symptoms may include the following: Swelling and tenderness at the base of the thumb An ache after prolonged use of the thumb Loss of strength when gripping or pinching with your thumb Limited motion. How is thumb arthritis diagnosed?

The CMC joint is a saddle joint and is the second most mobile joint in the human body. Often simple tasks involving the thumb create pain. Osteoarthritis usually occurs when there is a loss of joint space between two bones at the base of the thumb.

Due to the high degree of mobility at this joint it is prone to wear and tear from activities that we perform every day. Carpometacarpal CMC joint arthritis is arthritis at the base of your thumb, where your thumb and wrist meet. As the cartilage wears down, the ends of the bones rub together causing pain and making it difficult to use your thumb.

Named for the bones at the base of the thumb — the Carpal wrist bone and Metacarpal long bone of the thumb , the CMC joint is the most common place in the hand for arthritis.