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How To Relieve Arthritis Pain in Your Thumb

How To Relieve Arthritis Pain in Your Thumb

When arthritis takes hold in your thumb, actions you may have taken for granted can become more challenging. Opening jars, turning door knobs or carrying a dinner plate can become monumental — and sometimes painful — feats.

Osteoarthritis of the hand is the second most common type of arthritis in the United States, second only to arthritis in the knee.

Osteoarthritis is commonly seen in the thumb joint where your thumb meets your wrist — also known as your carpometacarpal (CMC) or basal joint. Your CMC joint is responsible for things you commonly use your hand for without even realizing it — the swiveling, pivoting and pinching when you grip items in your hand.

There are a lot of myths about arthritis, so we talked with orthopaedic surgeon David Shapiro, MD, and occupational therapist Patty Shimko, OTR/L, about the signs of arthritis in the thumb and how you can find relief.

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  • American Society for Surgery of the Hand logo
  • American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
  • American Osteopathic Academy of Orthopedics logo
  • American Osteopathic Association logo