Thumb Joint Pain and Diagnosis

Thumb joint pain can cause many problems for sufferers, including loss of grip and, of course, a great deal of pain. Thumb arthritis usually occurs after the age of forty and is more common in women than in men. The first symptom of thumb arthritis is usually pain experienced at the base of the thumb when gripping an object or when applying force. Other symptoms may include swelling, stiffness and tenderness at the base of the thumb, decreased strength when grasping objects, enlarged appearance or a 'bony' look to the base of the thumb and general discomfort and aching after use. The exact cause of this condition is unknown. Although there is no cure for thumb arthritis, self-care measures do exist. These include specialised splints, prescribed medication or corticosteroid injections. In extreme cases surgery may be the only way to gain a measure of relief. Early diagnosis and treatment may serve to alleviate the worst symptoms of what can otherwise be a very debilitating condition.