painful lower thumb

[QAGS]

the lower thumb next to my forefinger is stiff and v painful, I am wearing an arthritis glove, is this appropriate pls? never had this problem in 5 years of R A am on MXT 20mgm weekly

[J1707-]

it’s what’s best for you . Sometimes a glove fir me or a wrist splint and a resting wrist splint at night .

[KittyJ]

it depends what type of glove it is, we are all different too so what works for one might not for another. Can you give your rheumy nurse a ring to see if they can help or get you some correct supports or guidance in what to get?

[MadBunny]

I had a similar problem a few years ago- it suddenly came on out of the blue . The Rheum nurse referred me for hand therapy which really worked. I had to wear a special thumb and wrist splint ( supplied by the hospital) to support my hand when I was using it . The therapist also gave me a set of exercises which I had to do twice a day. I still do them occasionally . It might be worth speaking to your nurse to see if you can be referred.

[cyberbarn]

I have the same pain, mostly ignored by rheumatologists, GPs and even the last physio I saw (told me there couldn't be any osteophytes because I had good range of movement. Well doh, I do have EDS, a hypermobility disorder! But then I am an invisible women so it is to be expected.

I have tried various things and I find arthritis compression gloves too painful to wear. So I went through the peered reviewed papers and it turns out that it isn't the compression that helps, it was keeping the hands warm. So I just try to keep them warm.

The only thing I do find that helps is wearing a night splint when it gets bad. That seems to allow time for it to recover. I find the splints I was given to wear in the day (one recommended by an orthopaedic surgeon who is the only one who has ever taken me seriously) seem to make things worse as when one joint is held still it transfers movement to the surrounding joints and makes them worse. If it is really bad I try to rest it in the day too.

[Green230461]

A glove has helped me best of luck🌺mention it to your rheummy

[oldtimer2]

You really need a diagnosis in order to work out what is the best solution!

If it's part of your Rheumatoid Disease then splinting may help with the acute phase. If it's secondary osteoarthritis, then small amounts of frequent exercise is best...If it's inflammation in the tendon then a steroid injection might work best...and so on.

Can you contact your rheumy team?

[Lolabridge]

I get pain in that joint that my Rheumy tells me is Osteoarthritis, and I find heat helps. I bought a Theramitt from Amazon which you heat in the microwave and find it very comforting when the pain is bad. If you already have a microwaveable heat wrap you could try that on it.

[AgedCrone]

Try gripping your thumb with the thumb & two fingers of the other hand & rub up & down firmly & quickly…….hand surgeon gave me that advice & it eased things for me. …I find it works on all rheumy fingers.