Suggest Treatment For Thumb Arthritis

Posted on Wed, 5 Jul 2017

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Wed, 5 Jul 2017 Answered on

Tue, 25 Jul 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : The lower part of my thumb on my left hand is con caving or moving toward my palm. I can't move it back with my other hand. It is looking deformed. The only time there is pain is after I play the piano for about 45 minutes. I apply ice and heat after I play and that helps. I am a woman, 77 years old and have a little arthritis and degeneration in my lower back that hurts most of the time. I am not on any medication. I use to be on IBProfen but I read there is a 30% chance of getting a heart attack so I cut it out two weeks ago. I want to know if my thumb is arthritis and what can I do about it. XXXXXXX YYYY@YYYY

Answered by Dr. Dr. Gopal (32 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Could be thumb arthritis or trigger thumb.

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX I am Dr Gopal Goel , Orthopedic Surgeon.
I have gone through your description and to me there are two possibilities.
1. Arthritis of joint at the base of thumb- will be clear after x rays and treatment includes Local Steroid injection.
2. Trigger Thumb- In this there is a small nodule in front of base of thumb and it does not allow full straightening of thumb. Treatment again is mainly local steroid injection and surgery if no relief with injection.

Thanks for the question. Please feel free to ask any other question.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad