CMC (Basal) Joint Arthritis
Pain in your hand can be debilitating but pain when you try to pinch or grip something tightly or even try holding something as simple as a pen, can be a sign of Degenerative Joint Disease or Osteoarthritis. As the most common arthritis site in the hand, the Carpometacarpal (CMC) joint is made up two bones that join at the base of the thumb. When the cartilage in this joint wears out, the bones grind against each other causing you pain and joint instability.
Thumb arthritis can cause severe pain and make completing the simplest task highly painful. Treatment can range from conservative therapies to surgical based upon the severity of your arthritis so it is important to see a physician immediately if you are having chronic CMC joint pain or swelling. Our hand specialists at the New Jersey Hand and Wrist Institute, a subset of Advanced Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Institute, are dedicated to finding the best treatment options for your pain.
When seeing our physician and after a physical exam, you may need to have an x-ray done to reveal signs of worn-down cartilage, bone spurs, loss of joint space or other causes for your hand pain. Non-surgical or conservative treatment options that may be considered to treat your CMC joint arthritis are:
- Splinting the thumb and wrist
- Medication, over-the-counter or prescription pain relievers
- Corticosteroid injections into the joint
Surgery is sometimes necessary to correct issues in your CMC joint, especially if you are barely able to bend or twist your thumb. Below are several common CMC joint surgeries that may be recommended for you.
- Joint Fusion (arthrodesis): used to increase your ability to bear weight without pain.
- Osteotomy: this surgery repositions your bones to correct any deformities
- Trapeziectomy: the trapezium bone, one of the two bones in your CMC joint is removed
- Joint Replacement (arthroplasty): using a graft from your tendon, all or part of the damaged joint is removed and replaced with the tendon graft.
If you are struggling with pain or reduced mobility, please contact the specialist at the New Jersey Hand and Wrist Institute today to schedule your appointment and get back to your hands-on life – 732-720-2555.
