Cartilage covers the ends of moving joints and acts as a shock absorber. It also acts as a gliding, lubricant surface that protects the bone from wear.

As we grow older osteoarthritis can develop through the wearing down of the cartilage, resulting in painful contact between the bone ends. The thumb base joint is particularly exposed to osteoarthritis, mainly among postmenopausal women.

Symptoms

The first symptom of thumb base osteoarthritis is pain in and around the joint. In mild cases the pain does not increase but over time it could become more intense. At that point there is a risk for loss of grip strength and functionality of the thumb. This could turn everyday activities, such as unlocking a door or holding something in your hand, into obstacles difficult to master.

The most common symptoms are pain, reduced mobility, decreased strength and instability.

Cause

The cause of osteoarthritis is not fully known, but it may start after an injury to the joint. Long-term wear and tear makes the disease worse. There is no known cure, but today doctors have good alternatives available to reduce pain and help patients regain functionality. One of these options is the implant Artelon® CMC Spacer or, if it is a very early stage of osteoarthritis, the Artelon® CMC Spacer Arthro.