Why to Choose Non-surgical Treatment for Thumb Carpometacarpal Joint Osteoarthritis?
Thumb Carpometacarpal Joint Osteoarthritis
In today's world, Thumb Carpometacarpal Joint Osteoarthritis is one of the most common diseases people are confronting today. Moreover, 11% to 33% of women and men between the age group of fifty to sixty are suffering from this pain, which mainly occurs due to muscle weakness and laxity. Individuals who are tolerating this misfortune can easily explain to you how difficult and pathetic the arthritis pains are.
The thumb is the most critical digit of the human body, which is being used for several purposes and activities. However, the most vital joint of your thumb is the carpometacarpal joint, which is situated at the base of the digit. The instability of your CMC joint pain is mostly occurring due to the osteoarthritis.
No doubt, arthritis is the condition, which annoys and disturbs you the most at the joints. Though, they are several types of arthritic pain human beings are facing nowadays, but, the pain that exists on the thumb (the basal joint) always bring severe agony, and destroys the thumb joint completely.
In general, smooth cartilages are present at the end parts of the bones, which further ensure easy gliding in the joints. Without the presence of cartilages, bones begin to rub with each other and cause friction. Osteoarthritis is thus occurring when the cartilages start to wear away. The joint, which is present at the base of your thumb, exactly near the wrist area, are smooth that enables the thumb to pivot, swivel, and pinch.
Moreover, due to those fleshly parts, you can easily make a grip to hold the things. So, arthritis at the thumb is more dangerous and considered as a deadly disease. However, there are several solid reasons behind this pain, which are mentioned below. Let's have a look at them!
Causes of the Thumb Carpometacarpal Joint Osteoarthritis
The harsh reality is thumb arthritis mainly occurs with the rise in age. Moreover, traumas and injuries are also responsible for this joint pain, which don't allow your bones to glide smoothly with each other. Gradually, the smooth surface starts to get rough and leads to friction and thumb joint pain. Are you wondering what the other factors are? Have a glance at the following points!
- Obesity.
- Age above 40.
- Females
- Hereditary issues.
- Injuries in the thumb and joint areas.
- Jobs and activities that possess high strain and pressure on the joints.
- Diseases, which are changing the normal function and structure of the cartilage-like rheumatoid.
- Ligament fracture.
Symptoms of Thumb Carpometacarpal Joint Osteoarthritis
It is of no surprise that people cannot tolerate the soreness and stiffness in the body, which are mostly occurring due to various types of arthritis. So, pain is the most familiar thing individuals are noticing in the body. Isn't it? In case of the Thumb Carpometacarpal Joint Osteoarthritis, agony usually arises at the base of the thumb, which you can feel while grasping, pinching and gripping any object. Do you think this is the end to understand the signs of Thumb Carpometacarpal Joint Osteoarthritis pain? If you are thinking like this, then you are sadly mistaken.
- Decreased range of your motion.
- The bony or enlarged appearance of your joint at the base part of the thumb.
- Less strength when grasping and pinching objects.
- Tenderness, swelling, and stiffness at the thumb.
Thumb Carpometacarpal Joint Osteoarthritis Treatment Options
It is always important to understand what negative and irrelevant signs you are getting from your body. In general terms, the painful symptoms of the human body are quite daunting to analyze, but, you shouldn't take things for granted. Instead, if you are unable to determine what sort of pain you are experiencing in the joints and other body parts; consult a doctor immediately before things move out of your vision.
On the other side of the fence, if you are capable enough to distinguish the main reason behind your pain, then opt for nonsurgical treatment options before you delve deeply into the surgery or operation. Nonsurgical treatments are also available for the arthritic pain, which are causing on your thumb.
There are certainly various types of treatment methods and procedures for the Thumb Carpometacarpal Joint Osteoarthritis, but few of the most reliable and effective nonsurgical treatment methodologies are mentioned here. In the early stage, you can apply the below methods to reduce the pain in the thumb area.
Hot and cold process
For years, people believe in the facts that hot water and ice cubes are the best ways to treat any type of pain in the human body. Isn't it? Well, it is true that ice packs and hot water bags are effective for individuals who are suffering from arthritic pains and inflammation. But, every time, you need to take care of a few things such as temperature management, timing, and much more.
While dealing with the hot water bags, you need to consider the temperature in which you are comfortable with. Don't increase the temperature range with the rise in pain in your body. It may burn your skin. However, on the other side, if you are opting for ice cubes, then use a towel to avoid the tingling effects. Moreover, don't use the ice cubes for more time. Put the towel on the affected areas only for fifteen to twenty minutes.
Occupational therapies
Most of the therapists are now suggesting occupational therapy methods to strengthen the joints areas as well as to reduce the symptom of arthritis. However, for the fingers and wrist, occupational therapy is considered as the best option as it helps in improving the dexterity, and moreover, protects your joints from any degeneration. If you are not well acquainted with the processes, then hire an expert who can easily help you in relieving the pain from the thumb.
Mostly, occupational therapies are performed by professionals as they are skilled and knowledgeable. They can tell you exactly which exercises are important to perform to reduce the Thumb Carpometacarpal Joint Osteoarthritis pain from the body. Finger joint pain is perilous, which often calls for an expert.
Periodic rest
You must know that periodic rest is must for human beings who are addicted to the workspace and computer-related tasks. It is necessary to give relaxation to your body and hands while working for continuous hours. However, the tendons in the hands also need a break to get back into the shape after a small interval. For instance, people who are typing regularly in the computer should take some rest, and moreover, need to divide the work into chunks, so that tendons will get some relaxation.
Splinting
Splinting is important to support and stabilize the joints in the hands. However, there are probably different types of braces or splints are available in the marketplace, which is based on your thumb size and painful condition. The braces are effective and easily stabilize the hand and wrist. But, often individuals find it cumbersome to wear the braces all the time and decide to choose loose sleeves. Bracing is quite relevant and impactful during the night time.
Exercises
The demands of yoga and exercises are known every individual who is residing on this planet. Exercises are of various types, which are helpful for reducing short and long-term diseases, maintain the peace of your mind, and allow you to connect with the Almighty. When it comes to the Thumb Carpometacarpal Joint Osteoarthritis pain, exercises are highly beneficial, which shouldn't be overstated.
People, who are severely suffering from this deadly disease, can start to practice hand exercises, which are quite gentle and flexible too. Initially, you may not have satisfactory results, but, with the pace of time, you can feel the difference. Morning exercises are awesome for reducing the stiffness and inflammation from the body.
Steroid Injections
Steroid injections are powerful for human beings who are suffering from arthritic pain. However, the injections are helpful for decreasing the inflammation from the body like joints areas, knees, back, wrist and thumb. But, you cannot take the steroid by yourself until you are an expert. It would be better if you will consult any doctor for this process. They can easily differentiate what sort of steroid is good for your health, and moreover, will not cause a headache, nausea, vomiting, and dizziness.
Non- steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
Since years, people are using the non- steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for eliminating the pain of Thumb Carpometacarpal Joint Osteoarthritis. There are many things to understand while taking the anti-inflammatory drugs. However, a layman cannot determine the composition of the drugs, and moreover, cannot decide which drug is effective to reduce your joint pain immediately. Thus, visit a doctor before you take any type of medicine. To decrease the inflammation as well as swelling from the thumb, this option will work well for you.
References
1..https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3249665/
3..https://www.jospt.org/doi/pdf/10.2519/jospt.2003.33.7.386
4..https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/arthritis-of-the-thumb/
5..https://www.arthritis-health.com/types/osteoarthritis/treatments-osteoarthritis-hands
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