The thumb is often considered the most important finger. It impacts your ability to perform most tasks that require the use of a hand. For this reason, proper functioning and wellbeing is essential. If you are experiencing pain, swelling, or reduced function in your thumb, contact a hand and upper extremity specialist as soon as possible for an evaluation.

At Boston Hand to Shoulder, we treat patients with thumb arthritis and injuries at our facility in Newton, Massachusetts. Our doctors will evaluate, diagnose, and treat your thumb to relieve pain and improve mobility.

Arthritis of the Thumb Treatment

Arthritis of the thumb is treated in different ways depending on the severity or complexity of the condition. The goal of treatment is to directly relieve pain and improve your thumb and joint function. Because arthritis literally means “inflamed joint,” anti-inflammatory medications are a common recommendation for those suffering from the symptoms of thumb arthritis. Additional forms of treatment include:

  • Thumb exercises
  • Nutritional supplements
  • Cortisone injections
  • Splints

  • Platelet rich plasma
  • Arthrodesis
  • Surgery


During your appointment with a hand specialist, they can diagnose and determine the best course of treatment for your thumb.

What Is Osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis in the thumb. This degenerative disease worsens over time and occurs when protective cartilage wears down over time. According to the World Health Organization, osteoarthritis affects about 528 million people worldwide. Our team of hand specialists at Boston Hand to Shoulder treat this common joint condition when it impacts joints in the hand.

When osteoarthritis occurs in the thumb, the cartilage in the joint at the base of the thumb, known as the basal joint, wears away. This can cause pain, swelling, bone spurs,  limited motion, decreased strength, and make it hard to perform typical functions.

Basal Joint Arthritis

Basal joint arthritis is another name for osteoarthritis when it impacts the basal joint. The basal joint is where the thumb’s metacarpal bone meets the trapezium bone in the wrist. This joint is essential for proper functioning of the thumb in even the smallest of tasks, such as writing, turning a doorknob, or even picking something up.

Cartilage degeneration can cause the metacarpal bone to slip out of its joint. Thumb evaluations for basal joint arthritis often use x-rays to see the issue, even in patients who have experienced minimal symptoms. For this reason and more, patients should contact one of our specialists at the first indication of concerns with the health and function of the thumb.

Common Thumb Injuries

If left untreated, injuries in your thumb could worsen over time. The most common injuries related to the thumb are:

  • Sprains
  • Fractures
  • Carpal tunnel

  • Basal thumb strain
  • Skier's thumb


In serious injuries, you may notice swelling, tenderness, bruising, or pain in your thumb. However, some injuries may lie under the surface and cause progressive problems over time. Any concerns with your thumb should be examined by a doctor to ensure that the issue does not worsen.

Thumb Surgery

When problems become serious, surgery may be recommended or required. There are different types of surgeries that treat arthritis and other thumb injuries. The most common surgery for thumb arthritis is ligament reconstruction and tendon interposition (LRTI). During this type of surgery, an orthopaedic hand surgeon removes the trapezium bone from the wrist and smooths out the CMC and STT joints. If surgery is required to treat your condition, our doctors at Boston Hand to Shoulder will ensure that you are fully prepared with an understanding of the surgery required as well as the recovery time needed post-procedure.

Not every thumb injury or case of arthritis in the thumb requires surgery. There may be treatments better recommended by one of our doctors, especially if you get your thumb examined early.