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WHY DOES IT HURT TO PINCH? IS THERE A FIX?<br />
By:Ryan Grabow, MD / Help My Hands!<br />
“Help My Hands!” - our column on common<br />
hand conditions has returned.<br />
WHAT CAUSES THUMB PAIN WHEN I PINCH?<br />
Pain at the base of the thumb or thumb pad when you try<br />
to pinch is a very common complaint, and is typically<br />
due to thumb joint arthritis, also called, Basal Joint<br />
Arthritis.<br />
Symptoms are variable<br />
Although the pain may be worst at<br />
those areas, it may also feel like<br />
your whole hand aches or the<br />
pain may radiate up your forearm.<br />
Some patients may only experience a mildly<br />
annoying crunchy, grinding, or shifting sensation with thumb use.<br />
Others have so much pain with thumb use they have limited ability to<br />
use their hand! Swelling and stiffness of the thumb and weakness of<br />
pinching and grip is also common with this condition.<br />
WHAT CAUSES THUMB ARTHRITIS?<br />
While a trauma to the joint can lead to arthritis,<br />
the most common cause of thumb arthritis is simply<br />
normal hand use, gender, and genetics (yes - it<br />
does run in families). Forceful hand use, typing,<br />
or writing don’t put you at higher risk. You did not<br />
cause it - you inherited it!<br />
While many men do get thumb arthritis, it is much more common in<br />
women, with a majority of women developing this arthritis by the time<br />
they are in their 60s. Thankfully, not everyone who develops arthritis<br />
experiences pain. To confirm this diagnosis, a physical exam and<br />
xrays are typically all that is needed.<br />
HOW DO WE TREAT THUMB ARTHRITIS?<br />
If oral anti-inflammatories and occasional brace<br />
use do not help, a steroid injection to the joint is<br />
typically very effective.<br />
Ultrasound Guided Steroid Injection<br />
At Concierge Carpal Tunnel we are the only hand clinic utilizing<br />
ultrasound guidance technology to ensure your steroid injection is<br />
accurately placed into you joint - this not only provides an effective<br />
injection but decreases injection pain as well. Typically results in three<br />
to five months of pain free thumb use. If injections are effective, you<br />
can keep getting injections to the joint as long<br />
as they are at least 3 months apart. There is<br />
no negative effect to your joint from a steroid<br />
injection and there is no life-time limit to<br />
number of injections to a joint. If an injection<br />
doesn’t help or you want a more lasting solution, you do have surgical<br />
options. There are many variations of thumb arthritis surgery and most<br />
involve removing one of the arthritic bones and stabilizing the thumb<br />
joint. Thankfully, most never need surgery for pain relief!<br />
Visit NoSedationHandSurgery.com<br />
to learn more.<br />
NEVADA’S ONLY CARPAL TUNNEL<br />
CENTER OF EXCELLENCE<br />
NO SEDATION • MICRO INCISION • IMMEDIATE HAND USE<br />
Relax to your favorite music or streaming video while Dr. Grabow<br />
uses real-time ultrasound guidance and the UltraGuide CTR®<br />
System from Sonex Health to treat your carpal tunnel or trigger<br />
finger in minutes under local anesthesia with an incision smaller<br />
than a Tic Tac®.<br />
You can drive, use a walker or cane, and perform light activities<br />
the day of your procedure. Most patients return to their normal<br />
activities in 3 to 6 days!<br />
RYAN J. GRABOW, MD, FAAOS<br />
• Expert in No Sedation, Ultrasound<br />
Guided Hand Surgery<br />
• VEGAS, INC Top Doc 2023<br />
• MYVEGAS Top Doc 2022<br />
No Need to Fast • No Need to Stop Blood Thinners<br />
No Need for preop testing or medical clearance!<br />
Covered by Medicare and Most Major Insurances<br />
NoSedationHandSurgery.com<br />
(833) HAND - VIP<br />
4263 847<br />
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