Thumb and hand joint pain arthritis

Good evening @focusonyousalon and welcome to Connect. Thanks for telling me that you are a hairstylist. That helps me understand what your thumbs are required to do many, many times during a workday.

Have you had any images taken of your thumbs? If so, what did they reveal? Do you have pain frequently? I watch the hairstylists in my salon as they perform more than one styling step during a haircut. And if color is applied, there is even repetitive pressure on your thumbs.

You know......when I had my first thumb surgery, it was in my non-dominant hand because that was the one with the most wear and tear. I was told that we don't use our thumbs evenly. The non-dominant thumb does more holding and stabilizing than its partner. Therefore it wears out earlier.

Have you been told that you have arthritis in your thumbs? Has anyone mentioned carpal tunnel to you? One clinician tried to sell me on that diagnosis.

The bottom line is that the surgery for the thumb is annoying but not a nightmare. I just had my second thumb done in December 2021. After removing arthritis he chose a good tendon in my arm with which to cover the joint. Lots of exercises and helpful medications were prominent elements in the recovery.
Have you ever used topical medical cannabis?
May you be free of suffering and the causes of suffering.
Chris

I am using Arnica with CBD for my thumb joints & it really cuts down the pain & inflammation. I have Erosive Osteoarthritis in my hands. I would have the same questions for you as Chris.
Linda

Good morning! Feel your pain... I have degenerative arthritis in both hands. I have had one joint replacement on middle finger right hand. It deviated within 2 years, however most of the pain gone so worth it. I have 3 more joints that are bone/bone and it's starting in my thumb area. I have tried everything! Splints help - however I think ICE and HEAT are so helpful. I have a metal container I keep in my freezer big enough for one hand, I keep it partially frozen and add water when I soak them. Take care ~

I did have x-rays and yes I have arthritis no carpal tunnel. I really can’t afford to go into a surgery at this point I’m trying different supplements some do give relief I’m just looking for the best one and what ingredients are the best.

The Push MetaGrip brace for the CMC joint has saved me from hand surgery. None of the other braces I tried helped nearly as much.

In reply to @artscaping …. My question centers on what determines your decision about when to pursue surgery? Last summer, my X-rays/mri showed moderate degenerative damage to my thumb joint and the rheumatologist stated I could be a candidate for surgery. She only stated the decision was mine as to when to pursue and offered no guidance as to when the progression of degeneration is most indicative of surgery and best outcomes for future function. Any suggestions would be helpful…thank you and take care.

Once the joint collapses completely, CMC repair is no longer an option, and the joint will be fused. This happened to my friend, whereas another friend and I have had successful tightrope repair. See a hand surgeon to help you figure out the when - someone who doe the procedure frequently.
Sue

Hi @migizii, nice to hear from you again. I think that @sueinmn has some good suggestions for you in the next post. My decision was based on two factors: pain and functionality. When I told the surgeon the basis for my decision, I said that I had chosen the surgery based on the potential outcome (you don't want to wait too long) and the current level of pain plus poor work habits, e.g. sometimes it worked and sometimes it didn't. Also, I had waited too long with the first thumb 10 years ago. I also asked him if there was any reason why I should postpone the surgery at this point. He said...."No".

I am a supporter of shared decision-making with clinicians and was encouraged by the fact that he was interested in my decision-making process.
I am also trying to take care of "quality of life" issues before I have any more birthdays.

Is this what you were looking for?
Chris

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

What is CBD? I am presently doing physical therapy but it is s l o w. go. Thank you for your anticipated response