carpometacarpal arthritis; carpometacarpal osteoarthritis

Epidemiology

• common, frequently work-related
• older adults, elderly

Clinical manifestations

• pains at the palmar base of the thumb that occurs with gripping & pinching
• pain may radiate to distal forearm
• tenderness to palpation on both the dorsal & palmar surfaces of the carpometacarpal joint
• compressing the joint by appling longitudinal pressure may reproduce the pain
• rotating the thumb while applying axia pressure may reproduce pain
• joint stiffness
• loss of range of motion
• negative Finkelstein test

Management

• carpometacarpal osteoarthritis not responsive to NSAIDs*
  • carpometacarpal orthosis/splinting & occupational therapy

* or NSAIDs contraindicated (chronic renal failure)

More general terms

• osteoarthritis of the hand

Additional terms

• carpometacarpal joint