Table of Contents
What helps arthritis pain in thumb knuckles?
To relieve pain, your doctor might recommend:
- Topical medications, such as capsaicin or diclofenac, which are applied to the skin over the joint.
- Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) or naproxen sodium (Aleve)
Why does my knuckle hurt on my thumb?
Thumb knuckle pain Pain at the site of your thumb’s knuckle can be caused by: basal joint arthritis. jammed thumb or sprained knuckle. carpal tunnel syndrome.
How do you treat arthritis in one knuckle?
Ice: Applying ice to the fingers can help relieve pain and inflammation within the knuckle joints, especially if swelling is present. Medication: Over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen can help manage symptoms and reduce pain.
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. A CRP test may be used to diagnose inflammatory autoimmune diseases.
What causes thumb arthritis to flare up?
The most common triggers of an OA flare are overdoing an activity or trauma to the joint. Other triggers can include bone spurs, stress, repetitive motions, cold weather, a change in barometric pressure, an infection or weight gain.
What does thumb arthritis 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 arthritis in just one knuckle?
See What Is Osteoarthritis? Hand osteoarthritis can affect just one joint, such as the joint at the base of the thumb, or several joints in the fingers, wrist, and thumb.
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 I know if I have arthritis in my thumb joint?
Symptoms
- 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.
What does knuckle arthritis feel like?
The joints of the fingers may feel stiff, and people may have trouble moving their fingers freely. This can be particularly debilitating, as the stiffness may reduce the person’s range of motion in the fingers. This may cause them to find it difficult to grasp objects.
Should I exercise arthritic hands?
Hand Exercises for Arthritis Gently exercising your fingers and thumbs with a hand workout can improve their range of motion and decrease arthritis symptoms. It’s one of the best ways to maintain function and independence.
Can you rub out arthritis?
Any type of full-body massage therapy that involves moderate pressure, including self-massage, should help relieve arthritis pain and ease tension, she says. Before getting any type of massage, consult your doctor to make sure massage is safe for your arthritis and any other health conditions you may have.
Is heat or ice better for arthritic hands?
For an acute injury, such as a pulled muscle or injured tendon, the usual recommendation is to start by applying ice to reduce inflammation and dull pain. Once inflammation has gone down, heat can be used to ease stiffness. For a chronic pain condition, such as osteoarthritis, heat seems to work best.
How to fix arthritis in thumb?
Pain medications. People who are experiencing pain from thumb arthritis may benefit from various pain medications.
What thumb brace is best for thumb arthritis?
– Flexible – Gives support – Adjustable Velcro – Relieve pain – Soft material
What type of splint is best for thumb arthritis?
Place the loop over your thumb.
What is the treatment for thumb arthritis?
The first method of treatment for thumb arthritis involves wearing a soft brace to limit the movement of your thumb, which allows the joint to rest. If the condition is more serious, a hard brace can be used, and either type can be worn overnight or intermittently throughout the day.