Thumb is a rather simple articulation composed at the base of the wrist of a bone called the trapezium connected to the first metacarpal, extended by two phalanges.
Osteoarthritis of the thumb is a degradation of the cartilage, which covers the extremity of the first metacarpal and of the trapezium. This pathology will cause pain and difficulty in moving your thumb and may evolve towards a deformation of the hand or instability.
To make a precise diagnosis, your surgeon will rely primarily on clinical examination. He can rely on complementary examinations to identify associated bone or ligament injuries.
Inquire in advance is mandatory to perform the most appropriate examination.
Treatment options
Medical treatment
First instance treatment with analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs can relieve the painful phenomena. Nevertheless medications cannot stop the course of the disease. In the event of functional discomfort or severe pain, surgery may be proposed.
Surgical Treatment
Several different procedures can be used, one option is to remove part of the joint and reconstruct it using either graft or a prosthesis.
At the Bordeaux-Merignac Sport Clinic, these procedures are generally performed as an outpatient basis.
