Print Overview Thumb arthritis Enlarge image Close Thumb arthritis Thumb arthritis Thumb arthritis occurs when the cartilage in the carpometacarpal (CMC) joint wears away. Thumb arthritis is common with aging and occurs when cartilage wears away from the ends of the bones that form the joint at the base of your thumb — also known as the carpometacarpal (CMC) joint. Thumb arthritis can cause severe pain, swelling, and decreased strength and range of motion, making it difficult to do simple tasks, such as turning doorknobs and opening jars. Treatment generally involves a combination of medication and splints. Severe thumb arthritis might require surgery.Products & ServicesA Book: Mayo Clinic Guide to ArthritisA Book: Mayo Clinic Guide to Pain ReliefAssortment of Products for Independent Living from Mayo Clinic StoreShow more products from Mayo Clinic SymptomsPain is the first and most common symptom of thumb arthritis. Pain can occur at the base of your thumb when you grip, grasp or pinch an object, or use your thumb to apply force. Other signs and symptoms might include: 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 When to see a doctorSee your doctor if you have persistent swelling, stiffness or pain at the base of your thumb. Request an appointment There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Review/update the information highlighted below and resubmit the form. From Mayo Clinic to your inbox Sign up for free and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips, current health topics, and expertise on managing health. Click here for an email preview. Email Address 1 ErrorEmail field is required ErrorInclude a valid email address Learn more about Mayo Clinic’s use of data. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. Subscribe! Thank you for subscribing! You'll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested in your inbox. Sorry something went wrong with your subscription Please, try again in a couple of minutes Retry CausesThumb arthritis commonly occurs with aging. Previous trauma or injury to the thumb joint also can cause thumb arthritis. In a normal thumb joint, cartilage covers the ends of the bones — acting as a cushion and allowing the bones to glide smoothly against each other. With thumb arthritis, the cartilage that covers the ends of the bones deteriorates, and its smooth surface roughens. The bones then rub against each other, resulting in friction and joint damage. The damage to the joint might result in growth of new bone along the sides of the existing bone (bone spurs), which can produce noticeable lumps on your thumb joint. Risk factorsFactors that can increase your risk of thumb arthritis include: Female sex. Age above 40 years. Obesity. Certain hereditary conditions, such as joint ligament laxity and malformed joints. Injuries to your thumb joint, such as fractures and sprains. Diseases that change the normal structure and function of cartilage, such as rheumatoid arthritis. Although osteoarthritis is the most common cause of thumb arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis can also affect the CMC joint, usually to a lesser extent than other joints of the hand. Activities and jobs that put high stress on the thumb joint. By Mayo Clinic Staff Request an appointment Diagnosis & treatment June 16, 2022 Print Show references Bray J, et al. Evaluation of the patient with thumb pain. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed April 30, 2018. Arthritis of the base of the thumb. American Society for Surgery of the Hand. http://www.assh.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=AsKorJBUZsw%3d&portalid=1. Accessed April 30, 2018. Thumb arthritis. American Society for Surgery of the Hand. http://www.assh.org/handcare/hand-arm-conditions/thumb-arthritis. Accessed April 30, 2018. Arthritis of the thumb. American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/arthritis-of-the-thumb/. Accessed April 30, 2018. Rath L. Surgery for thumb arthritis. Arthritis Foundation. https://www.arthritis.org/living-with-arthritis/treatments/joint-surgery/types/other/new-thumb-surgery-options.php. Accessed April 30, 2018. Fox P, et al. Osteoarthritis in the hand and wrist. In: Plastic Surgery: Volume 6: Hand and Upper Extremity. 4th ed. London, England: Elsevier Saunders; 2018. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed April 30, 2018. Kloppenburg M, et al. Management of hand osteoarthritis. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed April 30, 2018. Baker R, et al. Evidence-based medicine: Thumb basal joint arthritis. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. 2017;139:256. Related A Pain-Free Thumbs Up! Thumb arthritis Thumb Reconstruction Associated Procedures Arthroscopy Bone scan Cortisone shots CT scan MRI X-ray Show more associated procedures News from Mayo Clinic Mayo Clinic Minute: Reducing thumb arthritis pain July 24, 2024, 03:30 p.m. CDT Products & Services A Book: Mayo Clinic Guide to Arthritis A Book: Mayo Clinic Guide to Pain Relief Assortment of Products for Independent Living from Mayo Clinic Store Show more products and services from Mayo Clinic Thumb arthritisSymptoms&causesDiagnosis&treatmentDoctors&departments Advertisement Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. Advertising & Sponsorship Policy Opportunities Ad Choices Mayo Clinic Press Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press. NEW: Listen to Health Matters Podcast - Mayo Clinic PressNEW: Listen to Health Matters PodcastMayo Clinic on Incontinence - Mayo Clinic PressMayo Clinic on IncontinenceThe Essential Diabetes Book - Mayo Clinic PressThe Essential Diabetes BookMayo Clinic on Hearing and Balance - Mayo Clinic PressMayo Clinic on Hearing and BalanceFREE Mayo Clinic Diet Assessment - Mayo Clinic PressFREE Mayo Clinic Diet AssessmentMayo Clinic Health Letter - FREE book - Mayo Clinic PressMayo Clinic Health Letter - FREE book CON-20378325 Patient Care & Health Information Diseases & Conditions Thumb arthritis
There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Review/update the information highlighted below and resubmit the form. From Mayo Clinic to your inbox Sign up for free and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips, current health topics, and expertise on managing health. Click here for an email preview. Email Address 1 ErrorEmail field is required ErrorInclude a valid email address Learn more about Mayo Clinic’s use of data. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. Subscribe! Thank you for subscribing! You'll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested in your inbox. Sorry something went wrong with your subscription Please, try again in a couple of minutes Retry