Thumb Osteoarthritis Treatment
Houston's specialized hand cares for osteoarthritis of the thumb joint — expert care to reduce pain, improve mobility, and restore hand function.
Osteoarthritis of the Thumb Joint Specialist in Houston, TX
If you are experiencing pain and mobility issues in your thumb, it may be time to consult a specialist. The highly trained specialists at Hand Surgery Specialists of Texas specialize in treating osteoarthritis of the thumb joint. Call (713) 374-4263 to schedule an appointment in Houston, Baytown, or Katy, Texas.
What Is Osteoarthritis of the Thumb Joint?
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a "wear-and-tear" joint disease that degrades the cartilage cushioning the bones in the joint. This means the bones grind against each other, resulting in pain and deformity — commonly at the base of the thumb.
The onset of OA increases with age and is most common in women over 40. It mostly strikes younger people only when an injury has made the joint vulnerable.
Book an evaluation- What it is
- "Wear-and-tear" cartilage loss
- Affected joint
- Base of the thumb (basal joint)
- Most common in
- Women over 40
- Approach
- Non-surgical first, then surgery
What Causes Thumb Osteoarthritis?
OA has a strong genetic component — if your parents or grandparents had OA, your chances are higher. Isolated OA in the thumb joint is most often due to injury or overuse, with inflammation and bone spurs leading to bone-on-bone friction.
Signs & Symptoms
When OA strikes the thumb, it is usually at the base near the wrist (basal joint). Pain there is the most common symptom — pinching, opening jars, or writing can exacerbate it.
How Thumb Osteoarthritis Is Diagnosed & Treated
Diagnosis is made through a consultation, physical evaluation, and often X-rays. Early non-surgical treatment can be very helpful — but if the joint is chronically inflamed, surgery offers long-term relief.
Non-surgical treatment
- Cold therapy — ice the joint several times a day
- Medications — aspirin & NSAIDs to reduce inflammation
- A supportive splint to immobilize the joint
Surgical treatment
- Arthroscopic surgery — clean the joint & add a synthetic cushion
- Joint reconstruction — using a tendon graft or synthetic material
- Fusion of the bones of the joint
Recovery Timeline & Care Tips
After surgery, your hand and wrist will be bandaged and supported by a splint. Physical or occupational therapy may be recommended for up to three months — first reducing pain and swelling, then strengthening the muscles around the joint and improving dexterity.
Request your appointment
The Hand Surgery Specialists of Texas offer diagnosis and treatment for hand, wrist, and elbow problems in Houston using the most advanced, minimally invasive techniques.