inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) such as Advil and Aleve, or Tylenol. Placing a heating pad, or heating wrap on the joint, or if the patient prefers, icing the joint, can also soothe pain and swelling. Patients may also find using a thumb brace or splint to modify and reduce movement of their thumb helps further alleviate pain. Avoiding activities, such as sports, or hobbies, that seem to worsen the thumb pain for several weeks can also help address the condition. “These are easy things patients can try at home before seeking more advanced medical attention,” says Dr. Graner. If at-home remedies fail to reduce pain and swelling, patients can talk to their health care providers about the next tier of arthritis treatment options, including steroid injections. A single steroid injection can often provide many months of joint pain relief. “Surgery for symptomatic thumb carpometacarpal arthritis is a reconstructive procedure which typically involves removing the trapezium bone from the wrist and stabilizing the thumb metacarpal base, however this procedure is not appropriate in every clinical situation,” explains Dr. Graner. Your physician can help you decide the best treatment path for your particular case. “We work with patients to do whatever is best to get their thumb arthritis symptoms under control,” adds Dr. Graner. If you have noticed pain, swelling or weakness in your thumb, ask your doctor if you could be experiencing symptoms of thumb arthritis. This common condition can be successfully treated with a range of both at-home and providerrecommended interventions.
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