Arthritis can limit your ability to play sports, exercise or even work and live your life comfortably. You might have arthritis of your knee, hip, shoulder or even in your fingers. In this Ask Dr. Geier video, I discuss nonoperative treatments for arthritis of the thumb.

Nancy asks:
I am a senior female golfer. The pain in the base joint of my thumb is very bad. Is ice better than heat? What over-the-counter things can I try?

Arthritis at the base of the thumb – in what orthopaedic surgeons call the basal joint – can limit middle-aged people, especially women. Like arthritis in the knee or hip, this joint degeneration can cause pain and stiffness and make using your hand for activities hard.

Fortunately, many non-surgical treatments can provide relief for basal joint arthritis of the thumb. In this video, I discuss some of those options and when you might consider surgery to treat the problem.

Also read:
Arthritis of the thumb: A common hand problem
Golf injuries: Common bone and joint injuries and tips to overcome them

Pain from arthritis of the thumb

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