Thumb Arthritis

My thumbs are sore too and I have a painful right knee but I don’t want surgery only as a very, very last resort and from what I hear the injections are quite short lasting.
So I m looking in to alternatives if I find anything I ll let you know Lizbeth

I’ve had this in the past as I have a lot of joints affected with O/A I took pain relief and bought a wrist with splint which fitted round the thumb which helped but the pain eventually stopped and now I get the occasional twinge but it’s not bad.

I have had successful trapeziotomy (? spelling) operations on both thumbs. The recovery period was 6 weeks wearing a splint. The operations were definitely worth it. No more pain and completely normal use of hands once healed.
The operation took place with a nerve block and I had no problems during or afterwards.
I just used the splint provided by the hospital and found that perfectly adequate.

I've had both CMC joints replaced and I'd advise get them done sooner rather than later. My left hand is great, pain free and normal movement within 3 weeks after the op but my right joint had fused badly because I waited so long and the movement is now quite restricted but it is pain free. I had steroid injections for a long time in my joints because they helped so much - one of the only places where they have actually worked.

Thank you for starting this thread Lizbeth, I’m starting to get pain in my thumbs and am finding the replies encouraging.

This is encouraging to hear thank you. Ive been on various forums and heard some horror stories. I couldnt bear the thought of going through it for not much improvement.

Good to know your pain subsided 🙏

Thank you 🙏

Thanks for this advice ie your joints had got worse and it may be best to get it done sooner. Such a hard decision. Ie today has been a better day.

Good to get real advice. Its so debilitating

Where exactly on your thumb is the pain? If it is the base of your thumb that is the scaphoid bone. It can be difficult to diagnose but it is treatable.

Some days I can hardly move my thumbs and then they’ll be ok. There are some exercises that I was given by the hospital that help but I sometimes I forget to do them.

I too have a sore thumb. I think it is the result of the way I hold a kindle. Thumb extended. At the moment the ache is liveable with.

I find Voltarol on the joint at night with cotton gloves put on over it helps.

Was treated 4 years ago for dislocated thumb at A & E. Never settled but caring fir DH didn't have time to follow up. 2 years ago GP referred me to Orthopeadics. Consultant ordered x-ray. Asked when I had broken thumb, never but had dislocated. No definitely broken, and now arthritis causing pain. He explained any surgery could result in more arthritis, surgery not always successful. Now just living with it. Real nuisance when doing any crafting.

I have a thumb that sometimes a bit tender I put it down to using my secretaries too much. Gardeners thumb

Your poor secretaries Gwyllt
I have had two finger joints replaced on left hand, result was brilliant, completely pain free. Then 6 months ago I had two joints replaced at the base of my right thumb. The pain is only just completely disappearing, possibly because I was now having to care for DH
We did have to pay for 4 weeks 24/7 live in care as with right hand in a cast I could not look after him, but that was all we could afford, and it was back to heaving him around in his wheelchair after that.

amzn.eu/d/09YwuGOd
I got this brace last year when I had ganglion cysts on the base of my thumb. There are lots of different kinds on Amazon

Thanks everyone for your kind advice. I think i will put up with it for now until it becomes unmanageable x

Literally having this surgery tomorrow - they are replacing the joint with a ball and socket to give the maximum use of the thumb. I cannot wait - I've had multiple injections into both thumbs and they no longer work so I'll be free of pain for the first time in years! Recovery 'm told should take 3 months or so - I should be able to drive after 3 or 4 weeks and I'll be heavily bandaged for 2 weeks (I know some people have plaster but this info is from my surgeon so I guess there are different ways of operating) I'll have a small scar with dissolvable stitches inside and non dissolvable on the outside and I'm to carry nothing heavier than a tea cup for several weeks. As soon as I am on the mend he'll put me on the list to do the same to my right thumb - Hooray!!!

i have arthritis in my right thumb and have had an injection into the joint every four months for several years. it doesn't take all the pain away but it certainly helps.
the injection itself isn't painful ever since my gp asked me to pull on my thumb as he injected the joint. pulling on my thumb apparently opens the joint enough for the needle to go in almost painlessly.
i had my last injection about three weeks ago and my gp said he's happy to do another one in January.
so I wished him a merry Christmas and a happy new year!

In my experience the injections vary a lot depending on whether they hit the right spot and how much they put in. I was very lucky with my last one because it has lasted 3 years and is only deteriorating now.

I to had a trapeziumectomy for arthritis in left thumb done under nerve block, 16hrs pain free, then pain kicked in but had adequate painkillers. It is painful afterwards but worth for the relief I got. My right thumb has started now so expect to have repeat surgery. If you are under care of consultant you should be able to get a made to measure splint from appliances, mine helped enormously prior to surgery. Hope this helps.

These posts are really helpful. I'm seeing the hand specialist at the end of the month, privately, to find out what's happening with my thumbs and if there's anything I can do. I fear that the answer will be to stop doing the things that exacerbate the pain, but how could I give up playing my violin and creative writing? Life would be awful. I hope he will tell me that he can fix my hands so that I can continue to play and type.