Both of my thumbs have severe arthritis. I go for an occasional cortisone shot, but have found that if I knit regularly, the pain goes away. Stretching out you hands in warm water helps too. Oh, important to find needles that give a bit more, like plastic. Much easier on the hands. Also, there are stretchy fingerless gloves made for arthritic hands that might help.
"knitter's thumb"
Has anyone else experienced an arthritic thumb; and if so, what was the solution. I've been given different options to alleviate the pain, but neither is appealing to me (removing a bone or fusing two bones together).
It's my left thumb and can be very painful depending on the pattern I'm working (either knit or crochet). No brace has helped since it catches on my yarn.
I'm in upstate NY--would appreciate any possible info or suggestion based on your experience.
It's my left thumb and can be very painful depending on the pattern I'm working (either knit or crochet). No brace has helped since it catches on my yarn.
I'm in upstate NY--would appreciate any possible info or suggestion based on your experience.
21 - 40 of 43 Posts
I thought I was the only person with this problem and I kept ignoring it. Thank you for the tips! I will try rest, exercise and the ice bath.
I had pain at the base of my left thumb, went to see ortho Dr. and he gave me cortisone shots as needed for a couple of years. Finally it was bad enough for me to want something else so we agreed and he removed the offending bone which, I understand, was pretty spikey (they wouldn't give it to me or show it to me, though I did ask). The first few days after surgery were a little rough, but overall, recovery was not too bad. The exercises they give post-op are very important to do faithfully.
I have no pain in that place any more! Mission accomplished!! That thumb is, generally, not quite as strong as the other one and I do have a couple of adhesions at the base of the thumb on the wrist side which might be because I wasn't quite aggressive enough with the massage of that area that they told me to do.
I have some pain in my right wrist which we are controlling very well with cortisone shots. After having the wrist done and both knees replaced, I'm just not up for any more surgery. But if it gets bad enough, I will go for it.
Blessings on you!
I have no pain in that place any more! Mission accomplished!! That thumb is, generally, not quite as strong as the other one and I do have a couple of adhesions at the base of the thumb on the wrist side which might be because I wasn't quite aggressive enough with the massage of that area that they told me to do.
I have some pain in my right wrist which we are controlling very well with cortisone shots. After having the wrist done and both knees replaced, I'm just not up for any more surgery. But if it gets bad enough, I will go for it.
Blessings on you!
Thanks for the great exercises. I will save this and use in the future. If I knit too long, or type too much, banging my thumb on the space bar, I get pain. I use Aspercreme. I just rub a little into the sore spot and rest till the pain reduces or goes away. Knitting (using the thumb)also helps loosen the joint. Pretty cool when you can do what you enjoy (knitting) and help the arthritis.
Sandi
Sandi
My SIL just had the bone fusing surgery yesterday on her right thumb - it was the only solution for her. She's an RN and well informed about options.tkoehler said:Has anyone else experienced an arthritic thumb; and if so, what was the solution. I've been given different options to alleviate the pain, but neither is appealing to me (removing a bone or fusing two bones together).
It's my left thumb and can be very painful depending on the pattern I'm working (either knit or crochet). No brace has helped since it catches on my yarn.
I'm in upstate NY--would appreciate any possible info or suggestion based on your experience.
I had joint replacement on my right thumb about 10 years ago and haven't had any problems since. The pain was so bad, I had trouble hooking my bra each day. I didn't consider the surgery drastic at that point.
have you seen your doctor? it might just need minor treatment or it might be something else - i wound up with surgery. lots better now! but a long recovery time and a lot of PT. no more pain though!!
I have had a basal joint replacement last year, with plate and pins. It is still not mobile, since the joint is fused, and the range of motion is quite restricted, even with the occupational therapy I had. If I had it to do again, I would do the surgery that takes a tendon out of your arm, and fills the empty joint with. I think it would allow you the best range of motion, and the healing process would be shorter, still needs OT to get it mobile again. Whichever type of surgery is chosen do your research and talk to your Doctor about whichever one is chosen, it is your hand and not theirs, so the final decision should be YOUR choice, after your homework.
Best of luck with whatever decision you make.
Best of luck with whatever decision you make.
so far all my pain is just soreness in the fingers and I'm thankful ,am bookmarking this for the exercise and suggestions. I hope yours gets better soon.
For those of you who had your joint replaced, was it fused? What is the procedure called?
My neck Dr. told me of the method where the eroded bone is ablated (removed) and muscle tissue from the forearm is inserted. Maybe what mimizz is referring to.
I'm looking for more information on that too, since DH is a mechanic and his thumb joint is totally shot.
My neck Dr. told me of the method where the eroded bone is ablated (removed) and muscle tissue from the forearm is inserted. Maybe what mimizz is referring to.
I'm looking for more information on that too, since DH is a mechanic and his thumb joint is totally shot.
I also have left thumb pain that gets worse when my knitting/crocheting, but like most of you I will not give up this most relaxing of all hobbies. My doc says not only is it OA, but I have developed a cyst over the joint. It is the cyst pushing on nerves, tendons and muscles that is causing the majority of the discomfort. The cyst will need to be removed in the near future, so I anticipate to be pain free after that.
I had the surgery & it was the best thing I did. Mine too was in the left thumb. I was starting having trouble with my right thumb because I was using my right hand so much to compensate for my left hand.
They replaced the worn out bone with a piece of cartilage from my forearm. I'm no longer in constant pain & can knit again.
They replaced the worn out bone with a piece of cartilage from my forearm. I'm no longer in constant pain & can knit again.
I went to the Dr. and got shots in both thumb and it has helped for a year and a half. I had Cortizone.I didn't even feel the shots. Hope this helps.
tkoehler said:Has anyone else experienced an arthritic thumb; and if so, what was the solution. I've been given different options to alleviate the pain, but neither is appealing to me (removing a bone or fusing two bones together).
It's my left thumb and can be very painful depending on the pattern I'm working (either knit or crochet). No brace has helped since it catches on my yarn.
I'm in upstate NY--would appreciate any possible info or suggestion based on your experience.
Thanks everyone!! lots of helpful info.
My thumb knuckle nearest the nail is OK. It's the nearer to the body knuckle--on both hands--that YIPES.
The pain moves up that side of each wrist. Pretty achy. I will certainly use the exercises. Thank you.
Years ago, I researched knitting belts. They seem to have
been in use in Ireland so men, women, and children could secure one end of the long needle into the belt, and knit with one hand, while carrying peat home from the bog in the other arm.
My life seems so easy after that.
The pain moves up that side of each wrist. Pretty achy. I will certainly use the exercises. Thank you.
Years ago, I researched knitting belts. They seem to have
been in use in Ireland so men, women, and children could secure one end of the long needle into the belt, and knit with one hand, while carrying peat home from the bog in the other arm.
My life seems so easy after that.
The surgery is called CMC Arthroplasty Thumb Joint Reconstruction. It's for OA pain in the joint at the base of the thumb. I had it done by a hand specialist. So happy I had it done.
Thanks!
gpgraham said:The surgery is called CMC Arthroplasty Thumb Joint Reconstruction. It's for OA pain in the joint at the base of the thumb. I had it done by a hand specialist. So happy I had it done.
Thank you!
Dr. OZ suggested Arnica for the pain. Has anyone had experience with Arnica? Do you steep it, and put it on with a wet cloth?
There are arnica gels and arnica ointments. Haven't had experience with it orally but as I posted Topricin (actually made in Rhinebeck NY, my bad) is great when messaged into hands every night. Other people I know have used arnica gel after broken wrists and found it helpful.
21 - 40 of 43 Posts
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