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4 days ago · The cartilage becomes thin and rough, and can make movement of the joint difficult. Osteoarthritis can develop at any age, but usually appears after the age of 45. It can also develop after trauma to the thumb or wrist area. It mainly affects the joint at the base of your thumb. It can become painful, swollen and difficult to use if you have OA.
- Overview
- Stages of thumb arthritis
- Thumb arthritis diagnostic tests
- Thumb arthritis symptoms
- Outlook
- Summary
Doctors perform thumb arthritis tests, such as the grind test, to assess the joint at the base of this digit. A positive test reproduces pain on the joint, confirming that a person has thumb arthritis.
The thumb base joint is one of the most common areas of osteoarthritis (OA) in the hand. Thumb arthritis is more common in adults aged 50 years and above.
Doctors use several tests to diagnose thumb arthritis. These tests aim to reproduce the pain of arthritis. They include:
•grind test
•traction-shift test
•lever test
Thumb arthritis is a progressive disease that causes a gradual deterioration of the CMC joint of the thumb. According to the Eaton-Litter classification, the disease has four stages:
•Stage 1: In this stage, only slight joint space widening is present. The joint surfaces are normal, and there are no bone spurs, or osteophytes, present.
•Stage 2: There is a slight narrowing of the joint. The bone may be thicker and have fluid-filled lesions that bone surrounds. These effects are known as sclerosis and cystic changes, respectively. The joint may also have osteophytes and loose bodies that are smaller than 2 millimeters (mm).
•Stage 3: Similar to stage 2, sclerosis and cystic changes are present in the joint. There is already a marked joint space narrowing and the presence of osteophytes or loose bodies that are larger than 2 mm.
CMC thumb grind test
The grind test is the diagnostic tool that doctors most commonly use to evaluate and confirm OA. To perform the grind test, the doctor will apply pressure to the thumb metacarpal and simultaneously rotate the thumb metacarpal base. The test is positive if it causes pain in the joint.
Traction-shift test
The traction-shift test is a newer diagnostic technique that doctors can use. This test is similar to the grind test, as it uses the occurrence of pain to determine whether a person has thumb arthritis. A doctor grasps the joint’s two ends, pulls them apart, and then relocates them. Pain can indicate subluxation, or partial dislocation, and the presence of thumb arthritis.
Pinch test
This simple test involves asking a person to make a letter O with the tip of the thumb touching the tip of the index finger. A person has arthritis if they cannot assume the position, and the shape of their hand looks more like a letter D. Trying to pinch may also produce pain. People who get a positive result on this test will likely also experience pain if they try to pinch or grip an object.
Symptoms that may indicate thumb arthritis include pain when performing activities that require gripping, grasping, and pinching. The condition may also cause the following symptoms:
•tenderness or discomfort at the thumb base
•limited range of motion
•weak grip and pinch strength
•swelling or stiffness at the thumb base
Doctors will start the diagnosis of thumb arthritis by examining the thumb to check for symptoms such as swelling, tenderness, pain, and the presence of lumps.
Thumb arthritis may get worse over time, as no treatment can stop its progression. Instead, treatment aims to reduce pain and improve and maintain function.
The stage of the person’s condition and the severity of their symptoms will inform their treatment.
Treatments for thumb arthritis include:
•exercise
•occupational therapy
•medications for pain and swelling
Thumb arthritis is a condition that can cause severe pain and significantly affect a person’s use of their hands.
Anyone who feels discomfort and pain at the base of the thumb should contact a doctor for a diagnosis so that they can start any necessary treatment as early as possible.
The purpose of the Thumb Carpometacarpal (CMC) Grind Test is to assess the integrity of the thumb CMC joint and the presence of basal joint arthritis. Reproduction of the patient's pain and crepitus is a positive test for arthrosis and synovitis. Therapists must also be aware of the crank test which both evaluates the joint quality and ...
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