Basal Joint Arthritis
Basal joint arthritis is the inflammation of the basal joint in your hand. The basal joint can be found between the thumb and the wrist. It is also known as capometacarpal joint. However, when you break your thumb or wrist, you can damage the cartilage. Any injury, even if doesn’t damage the joints, can change the way your hand works.
Stiffness and Pain is the main problem with arthritis in any joint. In the beginning the pain is not that severe, however, it will gradually increase its sensitivity. This is the symptom of rheumatoid arthritis, traumatic arthritis and basal joint arthritis. Once you experience these symptoms, consult your doctor immediately for proper diagnosis.
The doctor will examine your wrist and thumb and ask you about any injuries. He will send you to have an x-ray in order to determine if you have damage your cartilage. Nevertheless, if the damage is not severe, the doctor can align the damage cartilage. There are also some other treatment for this type of condition such as physical therapy, anti inflammatory medicine, and cortisone injections.
The last option in treating this type of arthritis is by surgical treatment. There is several option of surgical treatment for basal joint arthritis:
> Joint replacement – There are artificial replacement for basal joints. Doctors used silicone for joint replacement. This will replace the inflamed and swollen joints.
> Fusion – Using fusion allowed the growth of cartilage in the wrist. Hand surgeons like to use fusion of the basal joint areas when doing surgery on young people.
> Excision Arthroplasty – This is the traditional surgery for basal joints. The arthritic surface of the cartilage are removed and replaced by other material that will replace the worn joints and separate bones.
This type of arthritis if not severe can be treated using surgery. However, if the condition is chronic, then surgery will only lessen the symptoms but it cannot be cured. There are also natural remedies that you can try to alleviate the pain such as taking herbs and maintaining your diet. Basal joint arthritis should be treated as early as possible.