Why is the top of my thumb hurting?

There are many potential causes for thumb pain, but the three most common conditions that tend to develop are 1) arthritis, 2) trigger thumb, and 3) de Quervain tenosynovitis. The location of the pain and symptoms can help determine the exact cause of your pain and what your best treatment option may be.

Can thumb arthritis be reversed?

Outlook. While there is no cure for arthritis in your thumb, there are various simple treatments that can help relieve symptoms for many people. Talk with a doctor or physical therapist about which treatments might work best for you.

Is thumb arthritis serious?

Thumb arthritis can cause severe pain, swelling, and decreased strength and range of motion, making it difficult to do simple tasks, such as turning doorknobs and opening jars. Treatment generally involves a combination of medication and splints. Severe thumb arthritis might require surgery.

How do I know if I have thumb arthritis?

Swelling, stiffness and tenderness at the base of your thumb. Decreased strength when pinching or grasping objects. Decreased range of motion. Enlarged or bony appearance of the joint at the base of your thumb.

What is the lump on my thumb joint?

Heberden’s nodes are hard bony lumps in the joints of your fingers. They are typically a symptom of osteoarthritis. The lumps grow on the joint closest to the tip of your finger, called the distal interphalangeal, or DIP joint.

What Is Basal thumb arthritis?

Basal joint arthritis is a very common type of arthritis that affects the part of the thumb that’s right next to your wrist. It occurs when cartilage wears away from the ends of the bones that form the joint at the base of your thumb. It causes pain, especially when you try to pinch or grab things.

What are the stages of thumb arthritis?

Classification

Table 1. Eaton classification of basilar thumb arthritis7
Stage	Features on plain radiographs
Stage I	Articular contours normal. Slight widening of joint space on X-ray.
Stage II	Slight narrowing of joint space. Osteophytes ≤2 mm. Scaphotrapezial joint normal on X-ray.

What is Stage 4 thumb arthritis?

Stage IV: All the components of stage III along with destruction of the scaphotrapezial joint. At this stage the CMC joint is usually fixed and some patients may have little to no pain. Treatment: In early stages, stage I and sometimes stage II, con- servative treatment should be considered.