Arthritis in thumb - inject or not?

This is just anecdotal but since I’ve been eating oily fish twice weekly my thumb joints are less painful and more mobile than before. The joints certainly haven’t deteriorated. I think I’ll try some exercises as well after reading this. Thank you.

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I hadn’t thought of exercises but I have printed some off and will give it a go.

haven't have haven't had !

About 16 years ago, I had surgery to relieve arthritic pain at the base of my right thumb - a trapeziectomy. The surgeon didn't remove the bone, just took it out and cleaned it up, then put in surgical sponge to make a sort of cartilage. It was wrapped in a huge bandage for six weeks which stopped me driving. Another month of quite intensive physio also kept me out of the driving seat but now I can say I haven't have a minute's pain since. But I'm beginning to have pain in the left thumb. If you want to exercise and strengthen your finger joints, I recommend a squashy foam tennis ball.

Do the exercises and stick with them. They don’t seem to be much but they do help over time. It’s reminded me to start doing mine again, I had become rather slack about doing them. And, yes, gloves help. Be gentle with your hands when gardening etc.

My experience of an injection to the thumb was excellent. X-rays of both hands first. Didn't feel it going in and the difference in pain levels was very noticeable. I'm booked for a tkr soon, one that has settled I'll be requesting another referral for injection to both thumbs, in this area the injections are carried out by a specialist physio. In my opinion if your thumb is really bothering you supernan its certainly worth considering.

In 2014 I had excruciating pain in one thumb which my doctor said was Arthritis. Later it spread to a couple of fingers and to the other thumb.

I have used Rhus Tox & Ruta Cream by Helios for the last 7 years - I apply it like handcream every evening while watching TV and it has been marvellous. It soothed the pain within 15 minutes of the first application and when Arthritis began in my toes, I used it there too.

I stopped getting pain years ago but notice a difference if I don't use the cream, so I try to remember to use it most nights, and have done for 7 years. I think it has a cumulative effect and is keeping worse problems at bay.

If you decide to try it, the Helios brand is the best. I have tried others and they are not so effective.

I have pain in both thumbs and find that liberal applications of Holland and Barrett CBD muscle balm helps. I buy the cheapest one as it is not oily and sinks in immediately. It is not a cure but it makes the pain tolerable.

I had terrible thumb pain about 15 years ago- it last for a very long time - gone now, No treatment, it just went.

My arthritis started in my right thumb - the big fleshy part at the base mainly and if it just touched my leg or anything the pain was excruciating. This was over thirty years ago. My thumb is nowhere bear as bad now and the main problem is my left knee which is a nuisance at night and can make quite loud cracking noises when I bend down!
I find mine is worse when it is damp weather - knee, shoulder and hips. I use Tiger Balm which helps a lot - the Dr said not to use Voltarol too much because it is not good for high blood pressure - the pharmacist suggested the balm. The balm smells so much better too.

Has anyone ever had an injection in their hip joint? I am seeing my hip surgeon on Weds as arranged by physiotherapist and she said if i warrant it he may inject that day. I am driving to the hospital and need to know if i will be able to drive afterwards. It is only about a 10min journey as it is a small local private hospital doing work for NHS.

You were very lucky seeing a DR

Ive had injections in my shoulder and knee. I find they work for me. They halt the pain which lets me rest the joint then i start using it carefully for the next few days. Injections dont hurt, no side effects and you can walk away . I would try this first, at present i have a thumb i cant use without bad pain and im hobbling with a really bad knee. I cant get a gp appointment or i would immediately ask for an injection.

My thumb actually stopped bending and I had a few sessions with a physiotherapist. I wore a small splint that she made for a couple of months and did her exercises. The thumb is much better now. The only problem I have is that knitting sets it off again and I have a half finished cardigan!

Thanks everybody for your responses. It seems there's no miracle answer then! Thanks anyway.

What I do use are neoprene wrist supports that also support the thumb. If things are beginning to get difficult I wear them all the time and then sometimes just at night.

I would add I have had injections, in my shoulders, knees and wrists which gave some relief. Not had one directly into the thumb, the wrist ones did help everything that was troubling me with my hands

Exactly my experience (apart from the knees) - good luck!

I have had injections in both thumbs but my right thumb is due to a major operation I had nearly three years ago. Left is arthritis. I had to have the right hand done in theatre so surgeon could see the x-ray. Up to lockdown I had them done every three months. With covid I've gone back to the hand/wrist supports (surgeon's suggestion) as cortisone suppresses the immune system.

Also started taking turmeric 4 months ago. It's had a positive effect on my left hand?.

Sorry to hear about your pain. I have RA but at the beginning it moved around like Cabbies and I was given splints to wear at night. However, they were very uncomfortable.

What I do use are neoprene wrist supports that also support the thumb. If things are beginning to get difficult I wear them all the time and then sometimes just at night.

I would add I have had injections, in my shoulders, knees and wrists which gave some relief. Not had one directly into the thumb, the wrist ones did help everything that was troubling me with my hands.

Hope you find some relief. I would try some wrist supports I think they may well help. They do stabilise all of the hand and fingers/thumbs and definitely sleep with them on.

I do not mean to sound harsh but if the Arthritis is only in your thumbs at the moment you are fortunate, sadly it is likely to get worse, and may eventually effect other joints. It seems to me rather early to be offering injections if the pain is only recent, usually in the early stages it is more to do with "managing". You need to be aware of triggers, too much of anything may aggravate the joints such as PC/mouse, typing, phone use, gardening, chopping etc., Hand/wrist supports can help when doing certain tasks, painkillers on the days when its really bad as unfortunately Arthritis flair ups are common.

My arthritis comes and goes and moves around. It is not bad enough for any injections, and I think this is because I take supplements of glucosamine, chrondoitin and collagen.

I had both my thumbs injected then opted for ops (fillers in both main thumb joint). Watched the operation being done on a camera above the hand. Extremely painful ops and a waste of time. Injections are better IMO.

So sorry to hear you are probably developing arthritis, injections do help but do not last very long. My arthritis developed firstly in one thumb, then gradually the second thumb and then the rest of my fingers. These have knobbly joints and then I was issued by NHS hand splints. If pain gets really bad put your hands in warm water and try and do some hand exercises whilst in the water, stretch fingers out and splay them, then make a fist and quickly open them. Good luck.

To be honest injections may give you some pain relief but sadly if it’s Arthritis it’s not going away. Mine is multi-joint now and also started in my thumbs many years ago but it does seem that after a few years the pain in my fingers and thumbs isn’t so noticeable now. A wrist splint that wraps around your thumb may help