For those of you that have been diagnosed with Thumb Arthritis or if you’ve injured your thumb, using them for even simple activities can be painful. Opening a jar, turning a key, holding a pen, lifting a plate can all cause thumb pain and make the simplest of tasks hard to do. Treatment options and tips to manage your thumb pain include resting and splinting your thumb.
Treatment for Thumb Pain
The treatment prescribed by health care providers for the early stages of thumb arthritis usually begins with rest, anti-inflammatories, heat/ice therapy and wearing a thumb brace. If these treatments aren’t effective, they may prescribe occasional steroid injections or surgery. Changing the way you use your thumbs on a daily basis can go along way in helping to reduce stress and prevent further injury.
Tips to Manage Your Thumb Pain
- Choose cooking utensils such as stirring spoons and spatulas with built up handles
- When stirring, hold the spoon in your palm with your fingers wrapped around the handle instead of pinching the spoon with your thumb
- Place both palms underneath plates and trays to support and lift them- rather than grasping sides
- Avoid holding objects for extended periods of time- use bookstands and lap desks when reading
- Use pens that require less pressure to write – gel pens work well with less pressure
- Look for containers that are easier on your thumb. Use canisters that open and close with a light push on the top and bottles with pump dispensers that don’t require you to push with your thumbs
- Electric toothbrushes and screwdrivers reduce stress on the CMC joint by eliminating the need to pinch and twist with your thumb
- Wearing a thumb brace is an easy way to reduce pain and provide support and improve movement ease the stress on your joints.
Consulting with your health care provider and a licensed hand therapist can provide you with additional pain relieving and strength building strategies to help you with everyday living and get you back to the activities you enjoy.
Click on the image below to view all our thumb braces
Like what you’ve read? Click here to subscribe to the blog!
Our blogs are educational in nature and are not intended as a substitute for medical advice. Because your condition is unique to you, it is recommended that you consult with your health care provider before attempting any medical or therapeutic treatments. We are always happy to answer questions about products mentioned in our blogs, however, we cannot provide a diagnosis or medical advice.
Hi , I’m having a cortisone injection in my base of my thumb. my pain is so bad , apart from above is there anything else I could do. is there a splint or anything which would help . Thanks Andy .
I’ve been diagnosed with base of thumb/wrist arthritis that needs surgery. Seems it takes an age to get better it’s my dominant hand, I’m nearly 84 and wonder if there is other things I can do to ease the pain, have it in my fingers both hands too.
Thankyou.
Dorothy, I’m sorry to hear you are experiencing pain in your hands. Please know that while we can provide information on certain health conditions, we are not medical professionals and are unable to give medical advice. Wearing a brace is a simple, cost-effective way to reduce pain and ease the stress on your joints. The Arthritis Foundation has an abundance of great articles and tips for helping to manage pain that you may find helpful. I hope you find relief soon.
This is some really good information about arthritis. My father is starting to develop it is left hand. I liked that you pointed out that using cooking utensils that hand built in handles can help with arthritis. My father loves cooking so this is good to know.