Revised on: 06/29/2026
It’s easy to take your thumbs for granted—until they start to hurt. If you have thumb pain, everyday movements you never thought twice about, like gripping a glass or zipping your bag, can make you wince. What could be causing the problem? Thumb arthritis is a leading candidate. Keep reading to find the answers to common questions about this condition and learn what you can do to get relief.
What is Thumb Arthritis?
Thumb arthritis is a condition that causes the cartilage in your thumb joint to wear out. Cartilage helps bones move together with less friction. Typically, this breakdown occurs due to osteoarthritis, the most common type of arthritis. When cartilage is lost, the bones in your thumb joint can grind against each other, causing pain or bone spurs.
Thumb arthritis usually occurs in the basal joint (also known as the thumb carpometacarpal, or CMC, joint) at the base of the thumb. Consequently, your doctor may refer to this condition as basal thumb or basal joint arthritis. Only arthritis in the last joint of the fingers affects the hands more frequently than thumb arthritis, according to the American Society for Surgery of the Hand.
What Can Be Mistaken for Thumb Arthritis?
It can be easy to mistake other conditions for arthritis, and vice versa. A hand and wrist specialist can identify the problem and help you figure out the best way to treat it.
Conditions that can cause arthritis-like symptoms in your thumb include:
- Carpal tunnel syndrome: Pinching of a key nerve in the wrist
- De Quervain’s tenosynovitis: Swelling of the tendons that connect the wrist and base of the thumb
- Trigger thumb: Irritation of a tendon that makes straightening the thumb difficult
What Does Arthritis in Your Thumb Feel Like?
This condition can be painful, especially with certain activities. For example, you may have pain at the base of your thumb when pinching or gripping objects, like your front door key or your dog’s leash. The base of your thumb may become swollen or stiff.
Other thumb arthritis symptoms include:
- A bony bump at the top of the joint at the base of the thumb
- Loss of grip strength
- Reduced range of motion in the thumb
What Are the Stages of Thumb Arthritis?
Thumb arthritis has four stages:
- Stage 1: The CMC joint widens slightly. Mild symptoms, such as soreness or aching, occur.
- Stage 2: The CMC joint begins to narrow. Bone spurs may form. Pain and swelling increase, and a bony bump may appear at the thumb’s base.
- Stage 3: Joint narrowing, bone spurs and pain worsen. You may have reduced grip strength and range of motion.
- Stage 4: Thumb pain reaches its worst. You may lose movement in your thumb.
Does Thumb Arthritis Ever Go Away?
Thumb arthritis is a chronic condition, meaning it’s unlikely to go away completely. With treatment, though, it can improve, enabling you to use your thumb with less pain.
How Do You Treat Arthritis in the Thumb?
Seeing a hand and wrist specialist soon after you first notice symptoms can help you get ahead of thumb arthritis. They will work with you to create a treatment plan based on your age, thumb anatomy, the severity of the arthritis and your goals.
If you start treating thumb arthritis in its early stages, it’s more likely to respond to nonsurgical therapies. If it doesn’t, though, you aren’t out of options. You may be a candidate for surgery to repair or replace the damaged joint.
Nonsurgical Treatments
Start by taking simple steps at home to reduce pain and avoid irritating your thumb. These include:
- Giving your thumb a break from activities that strain it
- Icing your thumb for at least 5 minutes several times daily to reduce swelling
- Taking over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medicines, like aspirin, for pain relief
In addition to at-home care, your doctor may recommend:
- Bracing or splinting: You can wear supportive equipment that limits your thumb’s movement to prevent aggravation. Wearing a brace or splint may allow your thumb to rest overnight and avoid excessive stress during daytime activities.
- Corticosteroid injections: Injecting pain-relieving medicine into the CMC joint can improve symptoms for several months.
- Occupational therapy: You can learn how to hold objects and perform everyday tasks in ways that are easier on your thumb.
Surgical Options
If surgery is necessary, your doctor will partner with you to select the most appropriate procedure based on your arthritis stage and symptoms. Surgeries for thumb arthritis include:
- Fusion: Joining two bones of the CMC joint so they will heal as one and no longer grind against each other
- Joint replacement: Swapping the diseased CMC joint for a new, artificial one
- Ligament reconstruction and tendon interposition: Removing damaged bone and using a tendon from the wrist to improve movement
What Should You Not Do if You Have Thumb Arthritis?
| Do | Don’t |
| ✅Use all your fingers to perform tasks, like turning a doorknob or opening a jar. | ❌Pinch objects with your thumb and index finger. |
| ✅Scroll on your phone with your index finger. | ❌Scroll with your thumbs. |
| ✅Make multiple trips when moving heavy items. | ❌Try to carry everything at once. |
| ✅Use tools, such as jar openers, to accomplish simple tasks. | ❌Overwork your thumbs. |
Key Takeaways
Thumb arthritis can be challenging, but you have the power to manage it. Here’s what to know:
- Thumb arthritis occurs when cartilage at the thumb’s base breaks down. Aging and wear and tear are the most common causes.
- This condition progresses through four stages, worsening with each.
- Treatment starts with nonsurgical therapies, such as rest and anti-inflammatory medicines. If they don’t work, surgery to repair or replace the joint at the base of the thumb may be appropriate.
- You can help control symptoms with simple lifestyle changes, like scrolling on your phone with your index finger instead of your thumb.
Next Steps
Tired of thumb pain complicating even the simplest daily tasks? Request an appointment with a Summit Orthopedics hand and wrist expert.