06/12/2025
Many people notice early problems with opening jars, turning keys, holding utensils, or even gripping a pen. These small difficulties are often dismissed as “weakness,” but they can actually be an early sign of thumb base arthritis — one of the most common types of arthritis worldwide.
This condition affects the CMC (carpometacarpal) joint at the base of the thumb. When this joint wears out, everyday tasks become painful because the thumb is involved in almost every grip and pinch movement.
Common symptoms:
✔️Pain while opening jars or bottles
✔️Difficulty holding household items
✔️Discomfort while writing
✔️Pain during basic chores and repetitive hand use
A diagnosis is usually confirmed with an X-ray and an examination by an orthopedic doctor.
Treatment options:
✔️In early stages: rest, splints, medication, and physiotherapy often help control pain.
✔️In advanced stages: surgery may be recommended. Modern surgical techniques can restore thumb mobility and bring back pain-free function, allowing patients to return to normal daily activities comfortably.
In this case, we used an Arthrex TightRope during a trapezectomy and thumb base reconstruction. The TightRope acts like an internal stabilizer, holding the thumb metacarpal and the index metacarpal together.
This support helps maintain proper spacing after the trapezium bone is removed, keeps the joint stable, and allows the thumb to heal in a strong, functional position. The goal: better grip, less pain, and long-term stability for patients with advanced base-of-thumb arthritis.
