American Society for Surgery of the Hand. Evaluation of the patient with thumb pain. What, if anything, seems to improve or worsen your symptoms?.How severe are your symptoms? Are they continuous or occasional?.Being ready to answer them may leave time to go over points you want to discuss in depth. Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions. In addition to the questions that you've prepared to ask your doctor, don't hesitate to ask other questions. Are there any restrictions I should follow?.Is my condition likely temporary or chronic?.What's the most likely cause of my symptoms?.Write down questions to ask your doctor.Ask a relative or friend to accompany you, to help you remember what the doctor says.Make a list of all your medications, vitamins or supplements.Write down key personal information, including any major changes or stressors in your life.Write down your key medical information, including other conditions and any history of injury to the painful joint.Write down your symptoms, including any that may seem unrelated to the reason why you scheduled the appointment.
You might be referred to a doctor who specializes in disorders of the joints (rheumatologist). Once the cast is removed, you might have physical therapy to help you regain hand strength and movement. After surgery, you can expect to wear a cast or splint over your thumb and wrist for up to six weeks. These surgeries can all be done on an outpatient basis. All or part of the affected joint is removed and replaced with a graft from one of your tendons. One of the bones in your thumb joint (trapezium) is removed. The bones in the affected joint are repositioned to help correct deformities. The fused joint can bear weight without pain, but has no flexibility. The bones in the affected joint are permanently fused. If you don't respond to other treatments or if you're barely able to bend and twist your thumb, your doctor might recommend surgery. Corticosteroid injections can offer temporary pain relief and reduce inflammation. If pain relievers and a splint aren't effective, your doctor might recommend injecting a long-acting corticosteroid into your thumb joint. Encourage proper positioning of your joint while you complete tasks.You might wear a splint just at night or throughout the day and night. Prescription pain relievers, such as celecoxib (Celebrex) or tramadol (Conzip, Ultram)Ī splint can support your joint and limit the movement of your thumb and wrist.Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) or naproxen sodium (Aleve).
#BONES IN YOUR THUMB SKIN#
Topical medications, such as capsaicin or diclofenac, which are applied to the skin over the joint.To relieve pain, your doctor might recommend: If your thumb arthritis is severe, surgery might be necessary. In the early stages of thumb arthritis, treatment usually involves a combination of non-surgical therapies.