Pain in the lower part of the thumb can stem from several sources. One common cause, especially as we age, is thumb arthritis. This occurs when the cartilage cushioning the bones in the carpometacarpal (CMC) joint at the base of the thumb wears down, leading to pain and stiffness. [Source: As we get older, that CMC joint in particular often wears out, causing pain at the base of the thumb.”]
Another frequent culprit is De Quervain's tenosynovitis, which involves inflammation of the tendons around the base of the thumb, often on the inside of the wrist and forearm. Repetitive thumb and wrist movements can trigger this condition. [Source: Thumb tendonitis (De Quervain's tenosynovitis) causes thumb joint pain in tendons around the base of the thumb, on the inside of the wrist and forearm.] [Source: De Quervain's tenosynovitis is painful swelling around your thumb tendons. Doing repetitive motions with your thumbs and wrist at work or for a hobby are the… ]
Ligament injuries at the base of the hand or wrist can also contribute to thumb pain. [Source: Additionally, pain at the base of your thumb can be caused by injuries to the ligaments at the lower part of your hand and in your wrist.]
Other potential causes include:
- Trigger thumb: A condition where the thumb gets stuck in a bent position.
- Carpal tunnel syndrome: Pressure on the median nerve in the wrist can cause pain and numbness radiating to the thumb. [Source: The median nerve typically provides feeling and movement to the thumb side of the hand. ... Any swelling can pinch the nerve and cause pain,…]
- Skier's thumb: A specific ligament injury at the base of the thumb, often caused by a fall.
The location and nature of the pain, along with other symptoms, can help pinpoint the exact cause.
Treatment Options
Treatment for thumb pain varies depending on the underlying cause. For thumb arthritis, initial treatment might involve a soft brace, injections, and potentially surgery if conservative methods are unsuccessful. [Source: Treatment for thumb arthritis starts conservatively with the patient wearing a soft brace. If that doesn't work, injections at the base of the palm may work. And if there still isn't relief, surgery is an option.]
