The basilar thumb joint acts as a universal joint to position the thumb for activity.įigure above: The circle shows the areas associated with thumb arthritis-which includes the thumb metacarpal and trapezium. Hand surgeons refer to the thumb as the “king of the digits.” This is because for all activity the thumb must be positioned for effective grip and pinch. When there is loss of the cartilage, the joint grinds with motion and causes pain. On the right the osteoarthritis joint shows thinning of the cartilage along with incongruity of the joint.Īrticular cartilage covering the end of joints allows them to glide smoothly, much like the Teflon on a frying pan. Arthritis therefore is an inflammation of the joint.Ī normal joint on the left-note the matching articular cartilage joints. Instead, the lining of the joint, called the synovium, secretes synovial fluid which lubricates the joint and nourishes the cartilage. Cartilage is unique in that it does not have a direct blood supply to nourish the cartilage. This arthritis affects the base of the thumb and is also called the carpal metacarpal joint Anatomy and ArthritisĪ normal joint consists of matching sets of articular cartilage surface. The vast majority of patients will have osteoarthritis of the thumb. Other types include rheumatoid arthritis-a type of inflammatory arthritis. The most common type of arthritis is osteoarthritis-a degenerative arthritis. This process is progressive and typically intensifies over time. A Patient’s Guide to Arthritis of the Base of the ThumbĪrthritis is a process which causes wear of the smooth lining of the joint called the articular cartilage.
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