Musculoskeletal Condition · Glastonbury, CT

Thumb Base (CMC) Arthritis

Thumb-base arthritis can cause pain with pinching, gripping or opening jars. Learn about symptoms and diagnosis with Dr. Tortland in Glastonbury, CT.

Written and clinically reviewed by

Paul D. Tortland, DO, FAOASM, CAQSM, RMSK

Dr. Paul Tortland, DO is a non-surgical orthopedic & sports medicine physician specializing in regenerative orthopedics and surgical alternative treatment. He is dual board-certified in Sports Medicine & Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM) and Regenerative Medicine, Fellowship-trained in Sports Medicine. He became the first physician in the world to earn board certification in Regenerative Medicine in 2015. Diplomate, American Board of Regenerative Medicine (ABRM), 2015. Registered in Musculoskeletal Ultrasound (RMSK).

Condition

What is thumb-base (CMC) arthritis?

Thumb base arthritis is wear of the joint at the base of your thumb, causing pain when you pinch, grip or open jars, sometimes with a bump at the joint. Splints, hand therapy and activity changes come first. Dr. Paul Tortland, DO, may discuss a PRP injection for pain that stays; a small number of studies suggest it may beat steroid. Advanced cases may need a hand surgeon.

Explore related conditions: Browse the Elbow, wrist and hand condition hub for related diagnoses and treatment options.

CARE OPTIONS

What are treatment options for thumb-base arthritis?

Dr. Tortland’s potential treatment options: Dr. Tortland can assess whether pain is coming from the thumb-base joint and whether an image-guided injection is appropriate. PRP treatment or other orthobiologic approaches may be discussed only for selected cases; evidence is still evolving and they are not guaranteed to restore worn cartilage.

Physical therapy and traditional care: Common first steps include a thumb-support brace, hand therapy, joint-protection techniques, activity modification, and topical or oral pain-relief medication when safe. A corticosteroid injection may offer temporary relief for some patients.

When other care may be needed: If pain continues to limit pinching or daily activities despite non-surgical care, a hand surgeon can discuss further options. Treatment depends on joint severity, function, and personal goals.

Common questions

Questions about thumb base (cmc) arthritis

What causes thumb base (CMC) arthritis?

Thumb-base (CMC) arthritis develops as cartilage in the joint at the base of the thumb wears down, often with age, prior injury, repetitive pinching or ligament laxity. Imaging findings should be interpreted alongside pain, grip function and the examination.

What are the symptoms of thumb base (CMC) arthritis?

Symptoms include aching at the base of the thumb with pinching, gripping, turning keys or opening jars, and sometimes swelling, stiffness or a bony bump. Pain may interfere with handwriting and household tasks. Examination helps distinguish CMC arthritis from tendon problems.

What are the non-surgical treatment options for thumb base (CMC) arthritis?

Non-surgical options include a thumb-support splint, hand therapy, joint-protection strategies, activity modification and medication when safe. A targeted injection may be considered for persistent symptoms. Surgical referral is reasonable when pain and loss of pinch function continue despite conservative care.

What regenerative options may help thumb base (CMC) arthritis?

PRP or prolotherapy may be discussed for selected symptoms, but evidence for thumb-base arthritis remains limited and these injections do not restore normal cartilage. Candidacy depends on the diagnosis, joint severity and goals; splinting and hand therapy remain important conservative options.