Thumb and hand joint pain arthritis

I can sympathize. My dentist even remarked on the appearance of my hands when I was explaining I had to find al alternative to flossing my teeth!

As for the walker, have you considered an upright walker, often known as an "up walker" or "rollator" - many of my friends with mobility issues use them - it improves posture and you actually maneuver the walker with your entire upper body, with forearms resting on cushions. The only gripping required is to brake. Two of my 80+ friends actually walk a mile each morning on fairly flat terrain using theirs - something they could never do with a traditional walker.

I can sympathize. My dentist even remarked on the appearance of my hands when I was explaining I had to find al alternative to flossing my teeth!

As for the walker, have you considered an upright walker, often known as an "up walker" or "rollator" - many of my friends with mobility issues use them - it improves posture and you actually maneuver the walker with your entire upper body, with forearms resting on cushions. The only gripping required is to brake. Two of my 80+ friends actually walk a mile each morning on fairly flat terrain using theirs - something they could never do with a traditional walker.

In addition to Diclofenac gel (Voltaren) I use 4% lidocaine . I use this on my OA joints. Great relief . Wal-Mart’s equate brand for both is a lot less expensive and works as well as the Brand names.

Hi focusonyousalon. Yes, people in the medical profession that actually listen to their patients are the best, those that don't listen are of little value.
I use CBD with a touch of thc, and I find the oils work better than the salves.
Just based on the research I've done for my own arthritic thumbs, there are a number of surgical procedures for thumb cmc joint repair depending on what you want as the outcome, and how much risk you are prepared to take - they don't all work for everyone. LRTI, Tightrope, Speedspiral are all good pain relief procedures, but they may cost you full pinch strength - forming an "O" between your thumb and your index finger and squeezing. The trapezium is removed, and there is no bone support to the joint. Two other procedures are Stablyx and Bio Pro, which keep the trapezium, but use an insert into the cmc bone to rebuild the joint. I had the Stablyx procedure done last November, have good pinch strength, but it is still tight and can be as painful as before surgery first thing in the morning until things loosen up with use. I will likely have the same done to my other thumb.
Whatever you decide, you were given some good advice to shop around for a knowledgeable and experienced surgeon who listens to your needs.
Good luck, and take care.
GregV

Obviously you know a lot about the various surgeries and have had positive experiences. How do I find the best doctors? I have been to 2 hand surgeons and both use the LRTI. How do you find out who are the best surgeons with the best outcomes?

I think your best solution is to massage Voltaren cream (Costco - 3 good sized tubes for $15) and/or Lidocaine cream into your hands and you will see the double benefit of massage and pain relief. If you get up in the middle of the night for a bathroom trip, take 2 X 500 mg Tylenol and that will help by the time you wake up.

The original comment here is old, but I’ll post anyway about thumb and finger hand. Inflammation because my own miracle happened because of this group a year ago. Someone here mentioned Art cherry capsules, which I had been drinking on occasion, black cherry juice, apple cider vinegar, lemon juice in a jar filled with water or 7-Up for inflammatory reactions. I purchased tart cherry capsules online because of the recommendation here I purchased ZAZZEE Art, cherry capsules and after 30 years, my hand inflammation vanished. Doctors always told me it was osteoarthritis because that’s all they looked at in the x-rays. My hands are loaded with it. But it was the gout that was causing the inflammatory reaction not the OA. I stopped using all the topical on my hands and I’ve been great for a year. I can weed open the mail and do my artwork. I eventually asked to go on the medicine allopurinol which is for gout.