First Carpometacarpal Joint Osteoarthritis

This article is a stub.

Thumb-base osteoarthritis (first CMC joint) is a very common condition that predominantly affects postmenopausal women.

Aetiology

The first CMCJ is highly mobile which is probably linked to an increased rate of degeneration. There is also an association with hypermobility

Epidemiology

Increases with age, most common in postmenopausal women. The female to male ratio is 6:1.1

Assessment

Base of thumb pain
Activity related particularly gripping, using taps and door knobs, unscrewing lids, turning keys, sewing.
Thumb weakness

Examination

In advanced stages thenar muscle wasting combined with subluxation and adduction of the 1st metacarpal can lead to a characteristic "squaring" joint deformity"

Deformity at the base of the first MCPJ.
Adduction of the 1st metacarpal may occur which is visualised by a reduced 1st web space and hyperextension of MCPJ.
Palpate for tenderness, crepitation, and subluxation
Range of motion
Power, pincer strength may be reduced
Grind test: Hold the 1st metacarpal, move the thumb in a circular motion, and apply axial compression

Differential Diagnoses

Differential Diagnosis

Scaphoid Fracture (missed)
Non-union of scaphoid fracture
De Quervain Tendinopathy
Scaphoid impaction syndrome
Intersection Syndrome
Flexor carpi radialis tendinopathy
Dorsal pole of lunate impingement on distal radius (gymnasts)
Scapholunate dissociation
First Carpometacarpal Joint Osteoarthritis
Scaphotrapeziotrapezoid (STT) Joint Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis of the radiocarpal joint
Ganglia
Radial sensory nerve entrapment in the forearm
Crystal-induced arthritis
C6 radicular syndrome

Investigations

Xray Inflammatory and rheumatological blood tests if required.

Management

Treatment options are limited, and the available evidence is poor.^[1]

Activity Modification

Hand Therapy

Steroid Injection

Corticosteroid injections can be useful to manage pain flares.

Hypertonic Dextrose Injection

Steroid slightly more effective at one month, dextrose slightly more effective at six months.^[2]

Surgery

The main options are arthrodesis and trapeziectomy. See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7_iHbFVtHA for more information.

References

↑ Tenti S, Cheleschi S, Mondanelli N, Giannotti S, Fioravanti A. New Trends in Injection-Based Therapy for Thumb-Base Osteoarthritis: Where Are We and where Are We Going? Front Pharmacol. 2021 Apr 13;12:637904. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2021.637904. PMID: 33927620; PMCID: PMC8079141.
↑ Jahangiri A, Moghaddam FR, Najafi S. Hypertonic dextrose versus corticosteroid local injection for the treatment of osteoarthritis in the first carpometacarpal joint: a double-blind randomized clinical trial. J Orthop Sci. 2014 Sep;19(5):737-43. doi: 10.1007/s00776-014-0587-2. Epub 2014 Aug 27. PMID: 25158896.

Literature Review

Reviews from the last 7 years: review articles, free review articles, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, NCBI Bookshelf

Articles from all years: PubMed search, Google Scholar search.

TRIP Database: clinical publications about evidence-based medicine.

Other Wikis: Radiopaedia, Wikipedia Search, Wikipedia I Feel Lucky, Orthobullets,

[1] Tenti S, Cheleschi S, Mondanelli N, Giannotti S, Fioravanti A. New Trends in Injection-Based Therapy for Thumb-Base Osteoarthritis: Where Are We and where Are We Going? Front Pharmacol. 2021 Apr 13;12:637904. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2021.637904. PMID: 33927620; PMCID: PMC8079141.

[2] Jahangiri A, Moghaddam FR, Najafi S. Hypertonic dextrose versus corticosteroid local injection for the treatment of osteoarthritis in the first carpometacarpal joint: a double-blind randomized clinical trial. J Orthop Sci. 2014 Sep;19(5):737-43. doi: 10.1007/s00776-014-0587-2. Epub 2014 Aug 27. PMID: 25158896.

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