We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Health

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What are the Causes of Thumb Joint Pain?

Laura M. Sands
By
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 5,861
Share

Thumb joint pain may be due to injury, but it is most commonly caused by inflammation due to arthritis. This type of pain can interfere with a person’s work or daily activities as use of the thumb may be severely limited at times. Thumb joint pain may be attributed to multiple types of arthritis, and most are treatable by medication, physical therapy or by surgery, depending on the pain’s cause and the extent of the damage done to the thumb joint.

One of the most common causes of thumb joint pain is basal joint arthritis, which may be caused by injury or by common degeneration due to aging. Also known as carpal-metacarpal joint arthritis, individuals with this condition often report symptoms such as sharp, aching pain located at the thumb’s base and a loss of motion in the digit. Some report difficulty grasping objects and many suffer joint deformity when afflicted with basal joint arthritis.

Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis also frequently cause thumb joint pain. Osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage surrounding the bones and joints begins to wear out. Such commonly takes place at the point where the wrist and thumb meet, which results in aching thumb joint pain. Osteoarthritis may occur as the result of wear and tear to the joint or may be attributed to a recent injury. Anyone can be affected by osteoarthritis resulting in thumb joint pain, but osteoarthritis most frequently occurs in women.

Rheumatoid arthritis differs slightly from osteoarthritis in that it causes inflammation to the synovial tissue, which covers and lubricates the joints. Such inflammation often results in tears in the tendons, which causes intense thumb joint pain. Rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis can both also diminish the use of the hands, as individuals with either of these conditions are known to lose hand strength. This loss of strength results in the frequent dropping of objects, the inability to tightly grasp objects and weakness in the hands, in general.

Thumb joint pain may also be caused by injury such as a fracture or a sprain. Often, such injuries occur during athletic activities that result in inflamed, torn or stretched ligaments. Activities do not have to be particularly rigorous to experience thumb pain either, as low-impact sports, such as fly-fishing and golfing, may also cause tendons to become inflamed and cause injury and pain to the thumb.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Laura M. Sands
By Laura M. Sands
Laura Sands, the founder of a publishing company, brings her passion for writing and her expertise in digital publishing to her work. With a background in social sciences and extensive online work experience, she crafts compelling copy and content across various platforms. Her ability to understand and connect with target audiences makes her a skilled contributor to any content creation team.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Laura M. Sands
Laura M. Sands
Laura Sands, the founder of a publishing company, brings her passion for writing and her expertise in digital publishing...
Learn more
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-are-the-causes-of-thumb-joint-pain.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.