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You’re suffering from chronic thumb pain? You can’t unscrew a lid anymore? You’re losing grip strength? What if all this corresponds to the symptoms of thumb osteoarthritis? Be careful to signals that characterise thumb osteoarthritis in order to fight it as soon as the first symptoms appear.
The main symptom of thumb osteoarthritis: thumb pain
The first and main warning sign of thumb osteoarthritis is pain. Intermittent, it is associated with specific movements of the thumb, for example when grabbing an object. It is a mechanical pain occurring during activities, which reduces at rest. Movements that entail high precision like inserting a key in a lock or holding a pencil can also become painful. Also, in the case of thumb osteoarthritis, rotational movements (circumduction) can hurt. Pinch grip causes pain, mainly with the index finger. Sometimes, pain appears sharply and suddenly and can also be more stabbing(1). However, all thumb pains are not necessarily synonymous with thumb osteoarthritis. This symptom can reveal other conditions such as tendinitis. This is why consultation with a specialist remains essential to objectively establish the diagnosis.
Some people with thumb osteoarthritis witness difficulties or loss of thumb-index pinch strength, which can be disabling.
Thumb deformity: symptom of worsening of thumb osteoarthritis
Most of the time, progression of thumb osteoarthritis is very slow. It commonly extends over 10 years approximately. The patient goes from pain to progressive Z deformity of the thumb. Functional state of the thumb column gradually worsens and allows the deformity to set up permanently(1).
Unnoticed in the beginning, this unsightly deformity is disabling in daily life. Using the thumb-index pinch becomes difficult and the joint loses flexibility. As a consequence, movements are limited by stiffness at the thumb base.
Solutions to face the symptoms of thumb osteoarthritis
To avoid stiffness that often requires surgical intervention, several solutions are available, from mild to more drastic. Certain drug options relieve pain while surgery corrects the deformity.
EPITACT® has chosen prevention to limit or slow down the progression of the condition. To move in this direction, two braces have been developed to improve daily comfort. The flexible day brace for thumb osteoarthritis* limits micromovements and helps you intuitively correct the ones that damage the joint.
The rigid night brace* places your thumb in a resting position to relieve pain and slow down the cartilage wear and tear.
*These products are class I medical devices that bear the CE marking under this regulation. Carefully read the instructions before use. Manufacturer: Millet Innovation. 06/2020
For more details about this general and simplified approach, here is another source:
(1)Delcambre B, Bera-Louville A, Guyot-Drouot MH. Osteoarthritis of the fingers and trapeziometacarpal joints. Joint Bone Spine 2001;68:339–47.