Thumb arthritis is common as we age. In most cases, it’s
osteoarthritis — the age-related breakdown of joint tissue — that causes a swollen thumb joint
, especially at the lowest joint (called the basal joint). It can also be caused by reactive arthritis, which is triggered by an infection in the body.
When should I see a doctor for a swollen thumb?
If pain does not decrease
: Proper pain medication is necessary, but the need for pain medication for a mild sprain should decrease within the first 48 hours or even the first 24 hours. If the pain is consistent and does not improve, you may need medical attention for a moderate sprain, severe sprain, or a fracture.
Does thumb arthritis come on suddenly?
Pain and stiffness in and around one or more joints are common symptoms for most types of arthritis. Depending on the type of arthritis,
symptoms can develop suddenly or gradually over time
. Symptoms may come and go, or persist over time.
Can you get gout in your thumbs?
But
gout can develop in any joint in the hand, including the thumb
but also in finger joints as well as the wrist, elbow, and even the shoulder. Gout tends to affect more joints in the body the longer you have it and if it is not well-controlled.
What does arthritis in your thumb feel like?
Swelling, stiffness and tenderness at the base of your thumb
. Decreased strength when pinching or grasping objects. Decreased range of motion. Enlarged or bony appearance of the joint at the base of your thumb.
Can you get rheumatoid arthritis in your thumb?
When rheumatoid arthritis occurs, the immune system attacks a synovial joint’s delicate membrane.
The affected finger, thumb, and/or wrist joints can become inflamed, swollen, and painful.
How do you know if your thumb is infected?
- Redness.
- Swelling.
- Warmth.
- Pus drainage.
- Fever (in some cases)
Does thumb arthritis go away?
Outlook. While
there is no cure for arthritis in your thumb
, there are various simple treatments that can help relieve symptoms for many people. Talk with a doctor or physical therapist about which treatments might work best for you.
How do I get rid of arthritis in my thumb?
- Ice the joint for 5 to 15 minutes several times a day.
- Take an anti-inflammatory medication, such as aspirin or ibuprofen, to help reduce inflammation and swelling.
- Wear a supportive splint to limit the movement of your thumb, and allow the joint to rest and heal.
At what age does arthritis usually start?
It most commonly starts among people
between the ages of 40 and 60
. It’s more common in women than men. There are drugs that can slow down an over-active immune system and therefore reduce the pain and swelling in joints.
What does gout look like on your thumb?
Gout leads to attacks, or flares, that appear suddenly with hot, red, or swollen joints. The joints can be so painful that they hurt to move. Sometimes the joints look like they are infected, even though they are not.
Gout crystals can form white bumps called “tophi,” which are often visible under the skin
(Figure 2).
What does gout in your thumb feel like?
the joint feeling
hot and very tender, to the point of being unable to bear anything touching it
. swelling in and around the affected joint. red, shiny skin over the affected joint. peeling, itchy and flaky skin as the swelling goes down.
How do you know if you have rheumatoid arthritis in your hands?
When your hands are affected by rheumatoid arthritis, you may experience swelling around the affected joint, which leads to pain or tenderness. The joint may feel warm to the touch. Swelling tends to be symmetrical, which means it occurs in the same joints on both right and left hands.
What kind of arthritis affects the thumbs?
There are many different types of arthritis, but the kind that most often affects the thumb is
osteoarthritis
, the most common form of arthritis. With osteoarthritis, the cartilage inside your joints starts to break down, causing changes in the bone that typically start slowly and worsen over time.
What are the symptoms of tendonitis in the thumb?
- Pain near the base of your thumb.
- Swelling near the base of your thumb.
- Difficulty moving your thumb and wrist when you’re doing something that involves grasping or pinching.
- A “sticking” or “stop-and-go” sensation in your thumb when moving it.
How do you diagnose arthritis in the thumb?
One thumb arthritis test that many healthcare professionals perform involves
holding the base of the thumb and moving the digit around
. If the patient complains of pain, or if the movement produces a grinding sound, which is known as crepitus, thumb osteoarthritis is likely.
What are the first signs of arthritis in fingers?
- Pain. Pain is a common early symptom of arthritis in the hands and fingers. …
- Swelling. Joints may swell with overuse. …
- Warm to the touch. Swelling can also cause the joints to feel warm to the touch. …
- Stiffness. …
- Bending of the middle joint. …
- Numbness and tingling. …
- Bumps in the fingers. …
- Weakness.
What are the 4 stages of osteoarthritis in the hands?
Stage 1 (early or doubtful) Stage 2 (mild or minimal) Stage 3 (moderate) Stage 4 (severe)
How can I tell if I have osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis?
The main difference between osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis is
the cause behind the joint symptoms
. Osteoarthritis is caused by mechanical wear and tear on joints. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease in which the body’s own immune system attacks the body’s joints. It may begin any time in life.
What is the reason for finger swelling?
Swollen fingers refers to the enlargement of an individual’s fingers as a result of an underlying physical cause. Potential causes include
arthritis, exercise, high salt levels, allergic reactions, medication side effects, and injury
.
Why is the end of my finger swollen?
In general,
infections are a common cause of swelling
. An infection in your fingertip is also called a felon. This type of infection affects the pulp, or pad, of your fingertip and causes the small compartments that make up the pulp under your skin to fill with pus. Felons are usually very painful and throbbing.
What does finger infection look like?
Most infections will look
pink or red
and feel tender to the touch. When a cut on the finger becomes infected, symptoms include: swelling. redness.
Is Squeezing a ball good for arthritis?
Ball exercises
They help increase flexibility and improve strength
. Such exercises include: Full grip: Perform this exercise a couple of times each week, with a few days of rest in-between. Squeeze a stress ball in the hand as hard as possible.
Does massage help thumb arthritis?
Studies have shown that having a professional hand massage just once a week, and doing self-massage once a day,
may help reduce the pain associated with many conditions, including arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and neuropathy
.
How do they test for arthritis in hands?
Your healthcare provider can make the diagnosis of arthritis of the hand by
examining your hand and with X-rays
. X-rays show loss of bone cartilage and formation of bone spurs. A blood test for rheumatoid factor and other markers can help determine if the cause is rheumatoid arthritis.
