Osteoarthritis is a common long-term condition that causes joints to become painful, stiff and less mobile. It happens when the protective cartilage that cushions the ends of bones in a joint gradually wears away, leading to pain, swelling and difficulty moving the joint. It most often affects the knees, hips and small joints in the hands and tends to get more common with age.
For more information about osteoarthritis, including causes, symptoms, and management, please see Arthritis UK and NHS Website.
Exercises
A key part of osteoarthritis management is exercise.
- Thumb:
- Fingers
Splints
During your appointment, your therapist will determine if a splint, either off the shelf or one specifically fabricated for yourself, will be beneficial to help manage your symptoms.
Post-operation
If you have a surgery to replace the joint in your thumb, please see this Post-op advice
