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Thumb arthritis
Arthritic thumb support braces to relieve painful thumb joint.
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What is basal thumb arthritis?
Basal thumb arthritis is one of the most common type of hand osteoarthritis. It affects the joint at the base of the thumb called the trapeziometacarpal joint (more generally the carpometacarpal joint). Thumb arthritis is then also referred to as basal joint arthritis, osteoarthritis in the thumb, trapeziometacarpal or carpometacarpal joint arthritis.
Basal thumb arthritis is a degenerative disease that causes irreversible joint damage. With time and daily microtraumas, the joint cartilage wears out and becomes thinner, sometimes resulting in direct contact between the bones.
Symptoms and causes of painful thumb joint
Arthritis in the thumb causes basal thumb joint pain. As the disease progresses, you can experience acute flare-ups, joint stiffness, thumb deformity and loss of strength when gripping or pinching. Therefore, grabbing objects between the thumb and the forefinger or the other fingers becomes more difficult.
This condition is very common among women after 50 years. As we’ve said, microtraumas involved in daily activities increase joint damage. In addition, some factors contribute to the onset or progression of arthritis in thumb like genetic factors, menopause of repetitive movements.
Treatments for arthritis in thumb
The goal of treatment for basal thumb arthritis is to relieve pain and preserve the function of the painful thumb joint. The first step consists of limiting thumb overuse and the stress on the joint during manual activities. For example, avoid gestures that require precision and force, repetitive movements and rest your joint by immobilising it in a neutral position. To do that, arthritic thumb support braces and splints can help you.
Then, seek advice from a physical therapist for doing some exercises that improve strength and range of motion of the thumb. Your GP can also prescribe you analgesics, anti-inflammatories or cortisone and hyaluronic acid injections to reduce pain. At last, surgery can be recommended (removal of the trapezium or joint prosthetic).
The EPITACT® arthritic thumb support braces for relieving thumb joint pain
Pain caused by basal thumb arthritis can be very disabling as it can disturb both your daily activities or your sleep. To provide you effective day and night relief, EPITACT® has developed two thumb devices.
The flexible thumb support* for daily use eases pain without impeding the range of motion. It helps you correct harmful and unconscious movements that cause you pain.
At night, the arthritic thumb support brace* soothes basal thumb joint pain. Thanks to semi-rigid reinforcements and a self-gripping strap, it comfortably immobilises your thumb in a resting position.
You can also enjoy our special duo offer* combining both the flexible and rigid thumb support braces!
*These solutions are class I medical devices that bear the CE marking under this regulation. Carefully read the instructions before use. Manufacturer: Millet Innovation. 05/2023
Night thumb joint pain is due to a bad position of the thumb during your sleep.
FALSE! The position of the thumb at night is one of the triggering factors of pain, but using the thumb during the day also plays a role. Indeed, even if you are not aware of it, the hands and thumbs in particular are constantly moving. So, preserving the thumb during the day is also essential.
Basal thumb arthritis is an age-related condition.
TRUE! But not only… Except for the risk factors associated with gender, arthritis in the thumb can also affect younger people. Basal thumb arthritis is caused by joint overuse, which can be related either to occupational or physical and sports activity. All these causes contribute to the early wear and tear of the joint cartilage.
Wearing an arthritic thumb support brace is the key to relieve painful thumb joint.
TRUE! Wearing a thumb support brace helps to improve strength and reduces thumb joint pain. For this purpose, EPITACT® has created a flexible brace* that limits the repetition of unconscious traumatic movements. The rigid brace* aims to relieve painful thumb joint during the night and resting periods. Also, physiotherapy sessions and an ergonomic working environment prove to be beneficial.