Rhizarthrosis: What is it, what are its symptoms and what treatments are available?
Rhizarthrosis What is it and what part of the body does it affect?
When we speak of Rhizarthrosis, we speak of osteoarthritis(degeneration of the articular cartilage ) of the base of the thumb, two joints may be affected, in most cases the affected joint is the Trapeziometacarpal joint, in the case of complete osteoarthritis of the base of the thumb will also be affected the Trapeziometacarpal joint.
It is usually diagnosed by radiography and physical examination.
What are the symptoms of Rhizarthrosis?
The most common are continuous pain at the base of the thumb and loss of strength and/or difficulty in performing many of the activities of daily living (opening a bottle, writing, opening a door, cutting with scissors, picking up a glass, tonging…).
These symptoms may be accompanied by swelling, deformity and the presence of clicking or popping noises on movement.
In more advanced stages, the shape of the hand will be affected, the thumb tends to close, making hand motricity even more difficult, and the pain may disappear or diminish.
The condition may present with periods of increased pain (at night and even at rest) that are more inflammatory (arthritis or synovitis).
What are the causes?
The main causes and risk factors for rhizarthrosis are:
- Advanced age
- Genetic background
- Predisposition in women
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Repetitive movements
- Obesity
- Sedentary lifestyle
Types of treatments and the importance of physical therapy.
Conservative treatment
It usually consists of the intake of anti-inflammatory drugs and the nightly use of a splint (wrist brace) to avoid painful postures, it is important not to abuse it because it must be taken into account that this type of orthosis weakens the musculature.
Medical treatment
It consists of an intra-articular infiltration of an anti-inflammatory and hyaluronic acid (lubricant to reduce the friction between the bones).
Physiotherapeutic treatment
It will be focused on alleviating the symptoms, reducing pain, reducing inflammation, slowing down the loss of mobility and recovering the articular degrees that are possible, relaxing the musculature and teaching the patient exercises that will help him/her in his/her daily life.
Surgical treatment
It would be the last option, since there are different types of techniques, the specialist traumatologist will value the most convenient depending on the age of the patient, the bones that are affected and the use and the solicitation of the joint. The most used techniques are the placement of a prosthesis, the arthrodesis (fixation-union of two bones) and the trapeziectomy with ligament-plasty (resection or removal of a bone and reconstruction of the ligaments).
In our MIVI centers we have the necessary technology and both conservative and more advanced techniques for the treatment of this ailment, working together with doctors who can complement the treatment to be as effective as possible.
Physiotherapy and treatments for the treatment of pain play a great role in this pathology both to gain quality of life and to avoid surgery. If you suffer from this ailment and you have not yet remedied it, do not hesitate to visit us, we will be happy to help you.