Why Your Thumb Hurts: Understanding Arthritis & Your Options

Raise your hand if your thumb hurts. No, really, does it hurt to give a thumbs up? If that simple movement makes you wince, you might be dealing with CMC arthritis, the pesky culprit behind thumb pain that makes everything from opening jars to scrolling through your phone feel like a battle. But don’t worry—at Baytide Health, we’ve got your back (or, more specifically, your hand) with expert tips to keep you functional and pain-free.

Location of thumb pain with CMC arthritis.

What Is CMC Arthritis?

Let's break down why your thumb hurts and understand arthritis and your options.

CMC arthritis—short for carpometacarpal arthritis—occurs at the base of your thumb, where the first metacarpal meets the trapezium bone. This joint is responsible the majority of movements your thumb can do: pinching, gripping, and making that “OK” sign and manipulating just about anything. But because the thumb is constantly working overtime, the cartilage in this joint wears down over time, leading to pain, stiffness, and a not-so-friendly grinding sensation.

Why Does This Happen?

If you’re wondering why your thumb has turned against you, blame a combination of factors. CMC arthritis is often due to a mix of:

• Overuse: Think of all the texting, typing, and gripping you do every day.

• Aging: The more birthdays you collect, the more wear and tear your joints accumulate.

• Genetics: If Grandma complained about her thumb, chances are you might, too.

• Prior injuries: Old sprains and fractures can speed up joint degeneration.

Managing CMC Arthritis: Tools, Splints, and Hacks

The good news? You don’t have to let thumb arthritis rule your life. Here’s how to keep your hand happy:

1. Adaptive Tools

• Jar openers: Because struggling with a pickle jar shouldn’t be an arm workout.

• Ergonomic pens and kitchen tools: Reduce the strain on your grip. Plug "kitchen tool for arthritis" into Amazon and come up with a list of helpful tools

• Button hooks and zipper pulls: Getting dressed shouldn’t be a thumb wrestling match.

2. Splints and Braces

• Thumb Spica Splint: Keeps your CMC joint stable while allowing your fingers to move freely. These can be custom-made by a hand therapist (the option for the best fit) or can be purchased online (one size fits most)

• Soft compression gloves: Help with swelling and provide warmth for stiff joints.

• Day vs. Night Splints: A firmer brace for daytime activities, a softer one for nighttime relief. Research shows that even just wearing a splint at night can allow your thumb to rest in a better position, making you more comfortable during the day! Same thing as above- these can be custom-made or purchased online. Search “cmc splint” on Amazon for a whole bunch of premade options

3. Activity Modification

• Use larger grips: Avoid small, tight grips that make your thumb work harder.

• Two-handed techniques: Spread the workload between both hands.

• Avoid repetitive pinching: Give your thumb a break whenever possible.

When Surgery Becomes an Option: CMC Arthroplasty

If conservative treatments aren’t cutting it, CMC arthroplasty (a fancy way of saying “thumb joint replacement”) may be the next step. During this procedure, the damaged joint is removed and replaced with a tendon or synthetic material to keep the bones from rubbing together.

What to Expect After Surgery

Recovery isn’t instant—your thumb won’t be ready to take on the world just yet. Here’s a general timeline:

• Weeks 1-4: Your thumb will be in a splint or cast. No heavy lifting—sorry, no excuses for skipping chores!

• Weeks 4-8: You’ll start gentle range-of-motion exercises in hand therapy.

• Weeks 8-12: Strengthening exercises kick in, helping your thumb regain its power.

• Beyond 12 weeks: Gradual return to full function with continued therapy and home exercises.

Hand Therapy: The Key to a Stronger, Happier Thumb

At Baytide Health, we specialize in helping you recover after CMC arthroplasty or manage arthritis non-surgically. Therapy focuses on:

• Reducing pain and swelling

• Restoring movement and flexibility

• Strengthening the surrounding muscles to support your thumb

• Teaching you smart ways to use your hand to prevent further damage

CMC arthritis is annoying, but it doesn’t have to control your life. With the right tools, splints, therapy, and (if needed) surgical intervention, you can keep doing what you love without the constant reminder that your thumb is staging a rebellion.

If you’re dealing with thumb pain and need guidance, Baytide Health is here to help! Contact us today to chat about your hand therapy options—because life’s too short to let arthritis win.