Rhizarthrosis - Relieve pain, preserve function

Do you also know the feeling when your thumb feels stiff in the morning, swelling, redness and pain occur every now and then and you have difficulty opening a bottle or turning a key around, for example? These are all symptoms that can occur due to osteoarthritis of the thumb saddle joint (rhizarthrosis).

The wear and tear of the thumb saddle joint can be promoted by many factors, including heavy strain on the thumb, hormonal changes (e.g. menopause), rheumatic disease, age, obesity, family history, gender (women > than men affected) or ligament instabilities of the thumb. 

The general therapeutic goal of rhizarthrosis is to maintain the functionality of the thumb, to reduce acute inflammatory episodes and to achieve freedom from or reduction of pain. 

Relief can be provided by rest, relief of the thumb with adapted orthoses (e.g. RHIZO-HiT®), exercises to maintain mobility and strengthen the muscles around the thumb saddle joint, anti-inflammatory painkillers, and avoidance of painful activities as far as possible. In acute episodes of inflammation, cooling can temporarily relieve pain; in chronic pain, heat often does good. 

In case of progression of the arthrosis, increase of pain, disturbance of the hand function as well as high suffering pressure, an operation may be necessary under certain circumstances. 

Orthoses such as the RHIZO-HiT® are ideal aids for relieving the thumb through functional immobilization. With an ideal fit, they stabilize the thumb, protect it from external influences or careless movements, and thus promote targeted pain relief. Orthoses can be effective as part of conservative therapy, even after surgery.

For more information on SPORLASTIC products for rhizarthrosis, click here.