•Within 1 week
Suggestion: X-ray, ultrasound
Thermoplastic water proof orthosis – Short opponens thumb water proof orthosis to correct 1st CMC angle. Water proof orthosis ongoing as required for pain management. Strengthening of the thenar eminence. Proprioception re-training.
At Action Rehab The Hands Physio, our hand therapists are skilled in assessing and treating thumb injuries.
See below for treatment for a patient who has Thumb arthritis.
A brace being used to treat thumb arthritis pain. It does not support the thumb joint, and does not allow for motion of movement for exercising the hand.
A custom splint to alleviate the stress and pressure on the thumb joint. It is lightweight, waterproof and comfortable to wear, supporting hand stability exercises.
Choosing the right Hand Therapist starts with them being able to assess your injury, read your X-rays or Ultrasound and then educate and/or fabricate the right brace for you and your injury. The Hand Therapists, Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists at Action Rehab are experienced in assessing Jersey Finger and other tendon injuries, reading X-rays, reading Ultrasounds and advising on the most appropriate treatment.
Our therapists regularly host GP and Emergency Doctor training and can advise on the most appropriate action for your Thumb Arthritis treatment.
Known for providing Hand Therapy treatment for Thumb Arthritis and other hand, wrist, elbow and shoulder tendon injuries Action Rehab The Hands Physio are the hand therapists that Sydney trusts.
Base of thumb joint pain and instability is very common in women. Many women mistake it as Carpal Tunnel syndrome or just think they need to put up with or have surgery. This instability leads to joint degeneration and arthritis if left untreated for a period of time. The sooner you seek treatment from a Physiotherapist or Occupational Therapist then the less degeneration there is in the joint and the better your treatment outcomes.
Thumb arthritis is caused by instability of the ligaments of the base of the thumb, load of the muscles of the thumb, overuse of the thumb joint and then degeneration of the cartilage of the joint. Generally it happens in the non-dominant hand because it is our “holding hand” and will often hold the load while our dominant hand does the fine motor tasks. It may also be more common in the non-dominant hand because our core stabilisers are weaker in our non-dominant side.
Thumb instability is the initial symptom of thumb degeneration and then this can lead to thumb arthritis. Younger active women may be experiencing thumb pain while going to the gym, doing yoga, gardening or typing. The sooner you seek treatment from a Hand Therapist for this condition then the better the likelihood of a good recovery.
Rarely does Thumb Arthritis require surgery. In the rare occasion where surgery may be required, we will be able to advise you on whom the most appropriate surgeon is for you to see.
The thumb makes up 60% of hand function so injury, pain, swelling and instability of the thumb can mean that a person might lose 60% of their function. This is a very serious and debilitating injury. The sooner thumb instability is treated then the better the result and the less degeneration there will be in the joint
Unfortunately thumb arthritis will only get worse if you leave it untreated. Thumb degeneration leads to cartilage loss and then if it continues this can lead to subluxation of the joint and eventual dislocation. This is called a “step deformity”. A step deformity is where the Trapezium bone and the thumb Metacarpal bone dissociate themselves from each other, dislocating and causing a step in the base of the thumb at the wrist
