AN ORTHO-PINION
Rachel S. Rohde, MD
Any views or recommendations shared in the Ortho-pinions blog are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
Do you have trouble opening jars or bottles? Do you feel like you just don’t have grip or pinch strength in your hands anymore? Are you aching at the base of your thumb?
One of the most common hand problems as we mature is basal joint arthritis, or arthritis of the hand/wrist at the base of the thumb. The cartilage tends to wear in this joint, and we get aching or even sharp pain with use of our thumbs. We have trouble with door handles, jars, and bottles. We feel it when we crochet, garden, sail, golf—pretty much any activity!
Anti-inflammatories like ibuprofen or naproxen can be helpful, particularly if taken before aggravating activities. More recently, topical cream and gel anti-inflammatories have become available. These decrease the inflammation in joints, which decreases the pain you feel. If you have other medical conditions or are on medications, check with your doctor to make sure that these are safe for you. You will want to take them with food or milk and stop taking them if they irritate your stomach.
Splinting can be quite helpful. Thumb spica sleeves can be purchased in the first aid aisle of most drug stores or ordered online. These offer compression and support during activities and can be soothing.
Moist heat can help alleviate symptoms, and some people find relief with paraffin wax treatments. There also are aids available—such as jar openers—to help perform activities that have become too difficult.
If your pain is interfering with your lifestyle and these treatments have not worked, you might benefit from a steroid injection into the joint or, if all else fails, surgery.
Does that mean you should stop pursuing your hobbies? The short answer is, rest sometimes can alleviate inflammation and decrease pain, but it won’t make the cartilage grow back again. A hand specialist can help you minimize the effect of this arthritis on your life—and lifestyle!
Learn more about Arthritis of the Thumb.
This Ortho-pinion was originally written for A Nation in Motion, the AAOS's award-winning public awareness campaign dedicated to sharing the stories of people whose lives were improved by orthopaedic surgery.
FAQs
One of the most common hand problems as we mature is basal joint arthritis, or arthritis of the hand/wrist at the base of the thumb. The cartilage tends to wear in this joint, and we get aching or even sharp pain with use of our thumbs. We have trouble with door handles, jars, and bottles.
Does carpal tunnel make it hard to open jars? ›
If you have carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), you're probably very familiar with the intermittent tingling, itchy numbness, and burning pain it can cause in your wrist, hand, and fingers. You may even experience ongoing wrist or hand discomfort that weakens your grip and makes it hard to open a jar or grasp small objects.
Why does my wrist hurt when I try to open a jar? ›
What are the symptoms of wrist tendinitis (tendonitis)? Symptoms of wrist tendinitis may include: Difficulty performing certain movements, such as opening jars or turning doorknobs, or lifting pets, babies or small children. Stiffness, “catching” or a popping sensation when moving your wrist or fingers.
Why does my thumb hurt when I open jars? ›
The most common symptom of thumb basal joint arthritis is a deep, aching pain at the base of the thumb. The pain is often worsened with activities that involve any pinching movements such as opening jars, turning door knobs, and handwriting. As the disease progresses, patients may experience pain at rest and at night.
Why am I struggling to open jars? ›
Often, all that is needed is to improve your grip on the jar lid. A loose grip could be caused by the lid being damp, or perhaps it's simply shiny and slippery. You can use items like a dry dish towel, plastic wrap or a piece of silicone (often found in kitchens as a heat-resistant mat or shelf liner).
What is stage 4 carpal tunnel syndrome? ›
Stage 4 carpal tunnel syndrome: advanced symptoms and potential complications. In the advanced stages of carpal tunnel syndrome, you may experience muscle wasting at the base of the thumb. This can further weaken the hand's functionality. The pain might become severe and spread to the forearm and upper arm.
What is stage 4 of basal thumb arthritis? ›
Stage 4: This is the most advanced stage of thumb arthritis, where joint damage is extensive, and pain is severe. The joint may become immobile, making even simple tasks challenging.
How do you test for arthritis in the thumb? ›
Your doctor might hold your joint while moving your thumb, with pressure, against your wrist bone. If this movement produces a grinding sound, or causes pain or a gritty feeling, the cartilage has likely worn down, and the bones are rubbing against each other.
What is the trigger thumb syndrome? ›
Trigger finger is a condition that makes your fingers or thumb difficult to move. It can “freeze” them in a flexed position. It affects the tendons in your fingers and thumbs. Trigger finger gets its name from the position your fingers can get stuck in — it looks like you're trying to pull an invisible trigger.
Why are glass jars hard to open? ›
Perhaps there's some food trapped around the rim of the jar, or a sticky sauce causing the lid to get stuck on the jar. Tapping the lid on top and around the edges, again using a heavier object such as the back of a chef's knife or wooden rolling pin, can help dislodge the food, eventually loosening the jar.
Specifically, the extra pressure can damage your medial nerve, which may make it hard or impossible to feel, move or use your hand. Visit a healthcare provider as soon as you notice carpal tunnel symptoms or any changes in how you can feel or use your hand and wrist.
Does carpal tunnel make it hard to grab things? ›
In chronic (long-term) or untreated cases, the fingers can feel numb all the time and you may have difficulty grabbing small objects, such as buttons and zippers. The muscles at the base of the thumb may also become so weak that it becomes difficult or impossible to grasp small objects.
