The Shoulder and Hand Clinic
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  • Shoulder surgery
    • Subacromial Impingement
    • Rotator cuff injuries
    • Frozen Shoulder
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    • Acomioclavicular joint conditions
  • Hand Surgery/Xiapex
    • Carpal tunnel syndrome
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    • Thumb arthritis
    • Finger Arthritis
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Thumb Arthritis


What is it ?

It is arthritis which occurs at the base of the thumb. It results in a painful thumb particularly around the base. The pain is felt at night and is made worse when attempting to grip objects.

thumb joint
The Thumb joint
thumb arthritis
Arthritis at the base of the thumb

What causes it ?

Osteoarthritis is the wearing away of the lining of a joint, called the cartilage. There may be a genetic cause for this; but it can be secondary to trauma, infection, or as a result of an inflammatory arthritis such as rheumatoid arthritis.

What is the treatment ?

In all cases initial treatment is conservative. Splinting the joint at night and a steroid injection into the joint can be effective in the early stages.

If these measures fail and the pain is  persistent, particularly at night, then surgery will be considered.

Surgery can involve the removal of the arthritic joint (Trapeziectomy) or a fusion of the joint.
Private Secretary
​Debbie
The Mottistone Suite
St Mary's Hospital
Newport, IOW, PO30 5TG
(01983) 552348
​Kathryn.grimes@iow.nhs.uk
NHS Secretary
Natasha Locans
Department of Trauma & Orthopaedics
St Mary's Hospital 
Newport, IOW, PO30 5TG
(01983) 534855
Natasha.locans@iow.nhs.uk


The Mottistone Suite
St Mary's Hospital
Newport, IOW
PO30 5TG
(01983) 526699
enquiries@themottistone.co.uk
​
www.themottistone.co.uk
  • Home
  • About Me
  • Shoulder surgery
    • Subacromial Impingement
    • Rotator cuff injuries
    • Frozen Shoulder
    • Glenohumeral Arthritis
    • Acomioclavicular joint conditions
  • Hand Surgery/Xiapex
    • Carpal tunnel syndrome
    • Trigger Finger
    • Dupuytrens
    • Xiapex
    • Thumb arthritis
    • Finger Arthritis
  • Contact