Why Is My Thumb Joint So Painful? 5 Causes of Thumb Pain

1. Trigger thumb: The tendon that helps in bending and flexing the thumb, also called the flexor pollicis longus, can sometimes get stuck in the thumb pulley. This is called trigger thumb and can cause inflammation, stiffness, and pain.
2. Thumb arthritis: The joint that allows the tip of the thumb to touch the small finger is called the carpometacarpal joint. Wear and tear on this joint can lead the joint to wear out and become swollen and painful, which is also known as degenerative joint disease or osteoarthritis. Loss of mobility and thumb grip strength are some of the symptoms of this condition.
3. Carpal tunnel syndrome: Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition in which the median nerve gets pinched in the carpal tunnel, which can cause tingling, numbness, and burning in the thumb and other fingers. Symptoms tend to fluctuate and often worsen at night. In extreme cases, the muscles and joints can get atrophied or weak.
4. De Quervain's tendonitis: Also known as mommy's thumb, DeQuervain’s tendonitis is caused by tendonitis in the base of the thumb. Friction between the tendons causes pain and inflammation.
5. Skier's thumb: Joint pain due to trauma is common. When people fall, they often land on an outstretched hand, which can cause injury to the ligaments of the thumbs. The ulnar collateral ligament is the most vulnerable in these cases because the thumb tends to bend backward and outward.

Thumb pain is often accompanied by the following symptoms:

• Difficulty pinching or gripping objects
• Inflammation and swelling at the base of the thumb
• Decreased range of motion
• Tenderness at the joint

Treatment of thumb pain depends on the cause and may include:

• Home remedies: Minor injuries can be treated at home with measures such as:
  • RICE: Rest your thumb and provide support. Ice the affected area 10 minutes at a time, 4-5 times a day. Compress the area with an elastic ACE bandage. Elevate the affected thumb above the heart to reduce pain and swelling.
  • Epsom salt bath: Mix Epsom salt in warm water and place your hand in it for 30 minutes.
  • Herbal remedies: Ginger tea, turmeric, and ginger can help treat thumb joint pain. Polyphenols in green tea helps combat inflammation, ginger can reduce pain caused by osteoarthritis, and curcumin in turmeric may be helpful in reducing inflammation. However, exercise caution when using herbs because too much can lead to adverse side effects. 
• Thumb splints: Thumb splints can maintain proper position of the thumb, rest the joint, and reduce pain. They should be worn continuously for 2-3 weeks and can then be worn during specific activities as the condition improves. 
• Exercises: Simple thumb exercises can help increase range of motion and improve mobility:
  • Stretch your thumb to touch your pinky finger.
  • Hold your thumb stable with your other hand and bend only the upper part of the thumb.
  • Touch the tip of your thumb to the tips of each finger.
• Medications: Medications that are frequently used to treat thumb joint pain include acetaminophen, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and naproxen, and supplements such as glucosamine and chondroitin. Prescribed medications for arthritis include drugs such as COX-2 inhibitors, celecoxib, and meloxicam. Thumb joint pain can also be treated with corticosteroid injections, which alleviate pain and swelling.
• Surgery: Surgery is a last resort and may be recommended if other treatment methods fail. Surgical procedures may include:
  • Joint replacement: Tendon grafts are used to replace the affected joint.
  • Joint fusion: Bones of the joint get fused together, which helps treat the pain and establish stability. However, after this surgery, the joint may lose flexibility.
  • Trapeziectomy: Wrist bones involved in the thumb joint are removed.
  • Osteotomy: Excess bone growth is trimmed and the joints are aligned correctly.

You can reduce the risk of developing or worsening thumb pain by eating a balanced diet, maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, and wearing proper gear when playing sports.