Osteoarthritis of the thumb
Pain at the base of your thumb can turn small tasks, such as opening a jar or turning a key, into a challenge.
What is osteoarthritis of the thumb?
Osteoarthritis affects the smooth cartilage covering the ends of the bones in a joint. Cartilage helps your bones move easily against each other. As it wears or is damaged, the joint can become painful and stiff. Thumb osteoarthritis usually develops in the joint at its base, where the thumb meets the wrist. This is known as the basal joint. The condition is more common after 40 and affects women more than men.
What causes osteoarthritis of the thumb?
The ligaments that hold the joint in place can loosen over time, allowing the bones to move slightly out of position. This places more pressure on the cartilage and may cause it to wear down.
Thumb osteoarthritis usually develops gradually as the joint ages. Damage from an earlier injury, such as a broken thumb involving the joint, can also make it more likely.
What are the symptoms of osteoarthritis of the thumb?
You may notice:
- Pain at the thumb’s base, particularly when gripping or pinching
- Tenderness or swelling around the joint
- A weaker grip
- Stiffness or difficulty moving your thumb
- A bony bump or change in the joint’s shape
Activities such as fastening buttons or lifting a saucepan may become uncomfortable as the condition progresses.
How is osteoarthritis of the thumb diagnosed?
Your specialist will ask about your symptoms and any previous hand injuries, including how the pain affects your everyday life. They’ll also examine your thumb to assess its movement and strength.
An X-ray can show changes within the joint and help confirm the diagnosis. Your specialist may also check for carpal tunnel syndrome, which can sometimes occur alongside arthritis at the base of the thumb.
How is osteoarthritis of the thumb treated?
Treatment depends on how much pain you have and what you’re finding difficult to do. Most people begin with non-surgical options, and surgery is typically considered only if these haven’t given enough relief.
Your specialist will explain the choices and help you weigh up what each could mean for your movement and grip.
Treatment routes for osteoarthritis of the thumb
You can manage thumb osteoarthritis in several ways. Your specialist will recommend a starting point based on your symptoms and what you’d like to get back to doing.
Small changes to the way you carry out activities can reduce the strain on your thumb. A hand therapist may also recommend exercises or a splint that supports the joint while still allowing you to use your hand.
Pain relief may help, although you should check with your doctor or pharmacist to make sure it’s suitable for you. If your symptoms continue, your specialist may offer a steroid injection. This places medicine directly into the joint to reduce pain and irritation, although the benefit may be temporary.
Recovery goals after osteoarthritis of the thumb surgery
Phase 1 goals:
Keep your dressing or plaster clean and dry Keep your hand raised when advised to help with swelling Move your uncovered fingers regularly Attend your wound and dressing review
Phase 2 goals:
Wear your splint or cast for as long as your specialist recommends Begin thumb or hand exercises with support from your hand therapist Gradually use your hand for light tasks when advised Avoid lifting anything heavy while the joint heals
Phase 3 goals:
Increase movement and hand use gradually Work on grip strength through your recommended exercises Return to driving only when you can control the vehicle safely
Working with Hand and Wrist professionals and teams
Our hand and wrist specialists support professional athletes, sports teams, active individuals and people whose work places high demands on their hands and wrists. Working closely with radiologists, physiotherapists and the wider multidisciplinary team, they provide coordinated care from diagnosis through to rehabilitation, helping each person return safely to sport, work or everyday activities.
The same specialist expertise and collaborative approach are available to every patient, whatever your activity level or recovery goals.
Our Experts - Leaders in Hand and Wrist treatment
How to pay
We offer flexible options depending on how you choose to access care at Fortius. Whichever option you choose, we’ll help make the process clear and straightforward from the start.
Private medical insurance
If your care is covered by private medical insurance, we’ll usually invoice your insurer directly. Please check your policy in advance and request an authorisation code if your insurer requires one. You’ll be responsible for paying any policy excess or costs that aren’t covered by your insurance.
Paying for yourself
You don’t need private medical insurance to access care at Fortius. If you’re paying for your own treatment, our team will explain the costs clearly and provide a personalised quote before you decide whether to go ahead.
Find a clinic near you
Fortius Clinic City
Our City Clinic is conveniently located between Bank and Monument stations, within the historic and financial heart of London. At our modern, two-floor facility we have nine consulting rooms, spacious waiting areas, well equipped treatment rooms and an imaging centre.
Explore our City Clinic with our virtual tour.
If you are travelling by Tube, our closest underground stations are Bank and Monument, exit 6 for King William Street.
Should you be travelling by car, the closest parking is a three minute drive away at NCP Car Park London Vintry Thames Exchange. If you are attending clinic on a weekday, please be aware that we are based in the congestion charge zone.
- 75 King William StreetEC4N 7BE
- 0203 195 2442
- Monday to Friday from 8.00am to 8.00pm.
- Snow Injuries Clinic
- Tendon
- Sports & Exercise Medicine
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- Physician services
- Rheumatology
- MRI Scan
Fortius Clinic Marylebone
Our Marylebone Clinic is conveniently located in the historic area between Baker Street and Marylebone High Street, just off Manchester Square, home to the iconic Wallace Collection. We have seven consulting rooms, private waiting areas on each floor, well equipped treatment rooms and diagnostic imaging.
- 17 Fitzhardinge StreetW1U 2EU
- 020 3195 2442
- MRI Scan
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- Physician services
- Rheumatology
Fortius Clinic Marylebone Wing
Our 79,000 sq ft, seven-story, private hospital on Wigmore Street has 39 en-suite inpatient rooms, consultation and treatment rooms, and a physiotherapy suite.
The hospital has a high-spec imaging suite fully equipped with an MRI, CT scanner and X-ray machine. There are three state-of-the-art operating theatres, two anaesthetic rooms and a recovery bay.
Fortius Clinic London has two Mako robots for hip and knee joint replacements.
- 66 Wigmore StreetW1U 2SB
- +442031952442
- Open 24 hours
- Sports & Exercise Medicine
- Snow Injuries Clinic
- Tendon
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- Physician services
- Rheumatology
- CT guided injection
- MRI Scan
- CT Scan
Fortius Clinic Wimbledon
Our Wimbledon clinic houses a state-of-the-art imaging centre with a 3T MRI and X-ray scanners, Ultrasound, seven consulting rooms, two spacious waiting areas and well equipped treatment rooms all located on one level, ensuring easy accessibility for all patients.
Our partnership with Spire St Anthony’s Hospital allows us to provide orthopaedic surgery closer to our clinic. We treat a full range of conditions and perform joint replacement surgery using the latest Mako robotic assisted technology.
Take a tour of our clinic virtually through Google 360 views here.
We are open Monday to Friday from 8.00am to 8.00pm, and Saturday mornings from 8.30am to 12.30pm.
If you are travelling by Tube, our closest underground station is Wimbledon (District Line), which also has rail and tramlink services from central London and beyond.
There is no parking available at the clinic, but we have a number of parking facilities all within a 10-12 minute walk of the clinic: Centre Court Car Park, Broadway Car Park, and Hartfield Road Car Park. Please note that all of these facilities are paid car parks.
The building at 22 Worple Road has steps leading up to the front entrance. If you require assistance please inform us before your arrival by calling ahead on 020 3195 2442
- 22 Worple RoadSW19 4DD
- 0203 195 2442
- Snow Injuries Clinic
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- MRI Scan
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