Basal thumb joint pain. The basal joint allows your thumb to move so you can do small motor tasks. If you experience pain, tenderness and stiffness in your thumb joints, you probably suffer from Basal joint arthritis.
Symptoms of Basal Joint Arthritis
Aching and painful thumbs The symptoms you may have are:
- Aching and/or tightness in the thumb
- Pain or tenderness in the fingers
- Increased pain if you use an open and closed fist (open hand)
- Pain or tenderness on your lower thumb
- The knuckles or fingernails become numb or pain-filled
You may experience these symptoms when you use or hold things, such as your thumb. You may also have these symptoms as you walk or work with your hand.
Muscle aches and pains In addition to your thumb joint pain, muscle aches and pains may occur in the wrist, hand, fingers or forearm. Muscle aches and pains are the most common pain associated with basal-joint arthritis. These can be painful and cause loss of function. In other cases, they can lead to swelling or bruising.
Some types of muscle aches and pains are the result of inflammation and are treated with a steroid. These usually help when the pain is in the wrist, fingers or forearm area.
Pain and swelling around the nail base Sometimes, the pain in the nail base can be severe and cause a nail to bleed when cut or removed. In the nail base, the nail is located in the tissue of the area below the nail. Some patients may experience swelling and pain around this area as well. It can also be due to a nail infection.
If you experience numbness in these areas, and swelling around the nail base, you may have basal-joint arthritis.
Some common types of symptoms of basal-joint arthritis include:
- Dull/slight pain in your palm or wrist
- Dissipative pain and numbness (palm pain) in the middle and/or ring fingers
- Swelling around your hands
- Red spots near and near the nail joint
- Bloating of the hands
- Redness in and around the nail joints
- Painful/spinal pain
- Swelling in and around the nails
- Numbness and swelling in the fingertips
- The joint moves (flexes) very slowly or suddenly, particularly when trying to open or close an open hand
Swelling in the toe and heel area
Swelling and swelling in the toe or heel region Sometimes, a tendon or ligament (tendon) in the toe may become irritated. The inflammation and/or swelling may lead to muscle soreness, swelling and a blistering pain on the affected area.
If you are a runner who uses your toes to help you walk, you may notice swelling in these areas. Sometimes, the swelling around the nail joint can cause swelling and pain. These conditions are usually painless and do not require medical attention. Other types of symptoms can include:
- Swelling or pain in the toes, or toe swelling (osteosclerosis)
- Swelling of the toe joint or heel bone
- Swelling of the back of your heel
- Swelling of your knee
Swelling on the back of your leg
Swelling of the back of your leg Sometimes, the swelling in the back of the leg may become tender. The pain and tenderness can lead to leg pain. These symptoms may also cause leg swelling and pain. If you have had a knee surgery, you may also notice swelling of the back of your leg. Sometimes these conditions are not treated, resulting in new pain or swelling.
If you develop any of these symptoms or are experiencing any of the other symptoms listed above, speak with your healthcare provider or your local or specialty doctor. Ask about the symptoms first, and have them monitored or evaluated by a healthcare provider as needed.
Treatment of basal-joint pain
Treatment for basal-joint pain can include:
Medication (medications) Treatment for basal-joint pain usually includes one of two main types of medications. Antagonists may help block pain signals. Drugs called beta-blockers (antagonists) may slow pain and decrease inflammation.
Drugs called corticosteroids (antagonists) can help control inflammation and help prevent the formation of scar tissue. Some medications may also help improve healing.
Other drugs may help prevent further damage to your fingers or toes from the healing process. They may also help you stay less active and play on your hands.
