Thumb arthritis is wear of the joint at the base of the thumb, causing pain with pinching and gripping. Dr. Cole treats thumb CMC arthritis in Memphis, starting with splints, hand therapy, and injections, and offering thumb CMC reconstruction surgery when pain and weakness limit everyday tasks.
Jeff Cole diagnoses and treats thumb (cmc) arthritis in Memphis, from the first visit through recovery.
What is Thumb (CMC) Arthritis?
Thumb arthritis usually affects the carpometacarpal joint, or CMC joint, the joint at the base of the thumb where it meets the wrist.
This joint lets the thumb pivot and pinch. Over time the cartilage, the smooth cushion covering the bone ends, can wear away.
As the cushion thins, bone rubs on bone. This brings aching pain at the base of the thumb, weakness when pinching or gripping, and trouble opening jars or turning keys. Some people notice a bump or a shift in the joint shape.
Thumb CMC arthritis is common with age and more common in women. Past injuries to the thumb can also raise the risk.
How is Thumb (CMC) Arthritis diagnosed, and what does the visit involve?
Diagnosis combines your history, an exam, and X-rays.
Your physician may press and gently rotate the joint to reproduce your pain, a maneuver that points to CMC arthritis. X-rays show how much cartilage has worn and whether the joint has shifted. Imaging also helps stage the arthritis, which guides whether non-surgical care or surgery makes more sense.
What is recovery like for Thumb (CMC) Arthritis?
Splinting, therapy, and occasional injections control symptoms for many people for years.
Injections can quiet a flare but do not rebuild the joint. When pain stays constant and pinch strength keeps fading, surgery becomes a reasonable conversation. Your physician will match the plan to your activity level and goals.
What are the treatment options?
- 01A supportive splint or brace that steadies the joint during activityA supportive splint or brace that steadies the joint during activity.
- 02Hand therapy to strengthen supporting muscles and protect the jointHand therapy to strengthen supporting muscles and protect the joint.
- 03Activity changes and tools with larger, padded gripsActivity changes and tools with larger, padded grips.
- 04A corticosteroid injection, an anti-inflammatory medicine placed in the joint, to ease flaA corticosteroid injection, an anti-inflammatory medicine placed in the joint, to ease flares.
- 05Thumb CMC arthroplasty, a surgery that removes the worn joint and rebuilds thumb support,Thumb CMC arthroplasty, a surgery that removes the worn joint and rebuilds thumb support, is considered when pain is constant and daily tasks stay limited despite non-surgical care.
What do patients ask most?
What does thumb arthritis feel like?+
Can I avoid surgery?+
Do injections cure it?+
Will I get my grip strength back after surgery?+
Fellowship trained at Washington University, Barnes-Jewish Hospital - St. Louis, MO (Surgery of the Hand & Upper Extremity). Sees patients in Memphis.
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