The first step of basal thumb arthritis treatment is to reduce the pain. Anti-inflammatory medicines are prescribed for relieving this kind of excruciating thumb joint pain and swelling. Application of heating pads and ice alternately for 15 minutes at the affected area can give a lot of relief from the pain. However, if the thumb joint pain turns severe, then these measures may not be that effective. In such cases, cortisone injections are administered directly into the base of the thumb for instant results.
The movement of arthritic thumb needs to be restricted too. Splints are highly recommended for this purpose. There are various types of specially designed splints available for thumb arthritis. You can also get custom-made splints for yourself that suits your requirement. The splint will provide adequate support to the thumb joint and position it in such a way that the thumb will get enough rest. In some cases, doctors advise the patient to wear the splint while doing activities that tend to aggravate the thumb pain. Others may have to wear them throughout the day and night.
The medicines used for thumb pain treatment will provide only a temporary relief from the problem. Moreover, you cannot take them for a long period of time as they have side effects. Therefore, as the pain in thumb subsides a bit, physical therapy can be started in order to restore the strength and flexibility of the thumb. Physical therapists suggest some stretching exercises that can ease off the pain and stiffness of the joint.
When all the aforementioned non conservative methods of treatment fail to bring about any improvement in the condition of the affected thumb, then doctors opt for surgery to repair the badly damaged joint. There are different techniques used in thumb arthritis surgery. One of them is joint fusion surgery where the two adjoining bones are fused to increase the stability of the thumb. This process is also known as arthrodesis. Then there is the joint replacement surgery or arthroplasty in which the damaged portion of the joint is removed and a graft of tendons are placed in that position. Those who get deformity at the thumb joint due to arthritis have to undergo osteotomy, by which the bones are repositioned surgically to correct the deformity.