Saddle joint pain

definition

The thumb is used for all hand movements. It comprises two joints, the saddle thumb joint and the end joint of the thumb. In particular, the saddle thumb joint, which connects the thumb to the carpal bones, is subject to high mechanical loads. Various causes can provoke pain in the thumb saddle joint. The joint can hurt during stress, with individual movements or even at rest. Depending on the cause of the pain, accompanying symptoms such as swelling, redness and overheating may occur.

causes

There are several possible causes of pain in the thumb saddle joint. A very common cause of pain in the thumb saddle joint is thumb saddle joint arthrosis, which is caused by joint wear. Metabolic diseases such as gout and rheumatism are also possible causes. Other common causes of the symptoms mentioned are injuries in the context of a (sports) accident. The thumb saddle joint can be damaged if, for example, you fall with your thumb outstretched. One possible consequence is the so-called skier's thumb, in which a ligament on the thumb apparatus tears as a result of the accident and causes severe pain.

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• Thumb saddle joint osteoarthritis
• gout
• Rheumatism

Thumb saddle joint osteoarthritis

The thumb saddle joint at the base of the thumb is often affected by osteoarthritis, especially in women over the age of 50. Most of the time both thumb saddle joints are affected by joint wear. The thumb saddle joint osteoarthritis has a proper name, Rhizarthrosis. The sick suffer from pain when grasping and twisting movements and an increasing restriction of movement of the affected thumb.

Read more on this topic at:

• Thumb saddle joint osteoarthritis
• Diagnosis of saddle joint arthrosis

gout

An acute attack of gout can cause severe pain in the thumb saddle joint. In addition to other joints, the thumb saddle joint is affected in around five percent of cases, which is referred to as Chiragra. Those affected have a very painful inflammation of the joints with an effusion and pronounced signs of inflammation. Typically, the sick suffer from severe pain at rest in the affected joint. The cause is an increased level of uric acid in the blood, as a result of which urate crystals are deposited in joints and cause discomfort.

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• Symptoms of gout
• Attack of gout

After an accident / fall

Accidents and sports injuries are regularly associated with a fall in which you hit your hands. In particular, if you come up with the splayed, stretched thumb, injuries can occur in this area. Bruises, bruises, and ligament injuries are common. Fractures of the bones involved in the thumb saddle joint are less common.

Ski thumb

A ski thumb is an injury to ligament structures on the thumb saddle joint. The injury typically occurs during sport, for example in the context of a skiing accident when falling on the outstretched thumb. The ulnar collateral ligament (towards the ulna) that is on the inside of the thumb tears completely or partially. The consequences are instability in the thumb, a bruise and pain in the area of ​​the thumb saddle joint.

Read more about this under: Ski thumb

Concomitant symptoms

Pain in the thumb saddle joint can be accompanied by various accompanying complaints. Osteoarthritis is characterized by an increasing limitation of movement of the joint. In addition to pain, an acute attack of gout causes severe swelling, reddening and warming of the thumb saddle joint and occasionally even systemic signs of inflammation such as fever and malaise. In rheumatism, joint stiffness in the morning, swelling and a general feeling of illness are typical accompanying symptoms. Gout and rheumatism are usually accompanied by pain at rest in the joint. Sports injuries, such as a skier's thumb, can cause swelling, bruising, and instability of the joint.

swelling

Joint swelling is a typical symptom accompanying various causes of pain in the thumb saddle joint. This causes fluid to accumulate in the tissue around the joint. It is a non-specific indication of injury or inflammation of the affected joint.

diagnosis

Since pain in the thumb saddle joint can be traced back to various possible causes, it is advisable to visit your family doctor first. He will first have a detailed discussion about the symptoms and the time course of the symptoms. An occupational stress with possible joint wear or an acute sports accident can facilitate the diagnosis. This is followed by a physical examination of both hands so that the affected thumb saddle joint can be examined in terms of its mobility, strength and appearance in a side-by-side comparison. Depending on the attending physician's suspicions, a referral to a specialist or imaging, such as an X-ray examination, may be necessary.

Treatment / therapy

Treatment targets the underlying cause of the pain in the thumb saddle joint. In diseases such as gout or rheumatism, the underlying disease should be adjusted as best as possible with medication. At the same time, anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen or diclofenac and, in severe cases, cortisone can help relieve the acute attack of gout. Cold applications can relieve the symptoms. A Rhizarthrosis can be treated conservatively with a splint and anti-inflammatory pain medication. Occasionally, injection of cortisone helps. Surgical measures are an option for advanced osteoarthritis. Pain in the thumb saddle joint that occurs as part of a (sports) accident is often treated with immobilization, anti-inflammatory pain medication and cooling. Surgical treatment may be necessary depending on the extent of the injury.

Wrist bandage

Wrist bandages can help alleviate the symptoms of various hand disorders that involve pain in the thumb saddle joint. A wrist bandage is used to immobilize the joint when there is pain. If you have saddle joint osteoarthritis of the thumb or carpal tunnel syndrome that radiates pain to the thumb, wrist wraps can help relieve the pain.

Read more on this topic at: Wrist bandage

When do you need an operation?

If there is pain in the thumb saddle joint, surgery may be necessary, if the thumb saddle joint arthrosis is very advanced or the bony or ligament structures in the area of ​​the thumb are severely injured by an accident.

homeopathy

The effectiveness of homeopathic therapy has not yet been proven in any scientific study. Nevertheless, globules can be taken and usually do not cause any side effects. For joint pain, the homeopathic remedies Acidum Sulfuricum, Aconitum Napellus, Bryonia, Calcium fluoratum, Sulfur as well as Belladonna and the well-known Arnica are possible.

Duration / forecast

Both the duration and the prognosis depend on the cause of the discomfort in the case of pain in the saddle joint. Rhizarthrosis is incurable because the cartilage that is destroyed by wear and tear cannot be restored. However, there are treatment options to alleviate the symptoms. An acute gout attack can last for different lengths of time and be different in severity. With the right drug therapy and a change in diet, gout can be treated well in the long term. If pain in the thumb saddle joint occurs as a result of an accident, the extent of the injury to the affected anatomical structures is decisive for the prognosis. Bruises recede within days to a few weeks, while ligament injuries or broken bones take weeks to months and various treatment measures to heal.