Rizarthrosis, what is it? Causes and treatment

Rhizarthrosis, carpal-metacarpal osteoarthritis of the thumb, or trapezoid-metacarpal osteoarthritis, is osteoarthritis located at the base of the thumb.

Rizarthrosis is the term most commonly used to describe this pathology.

The thumb is the finger that is most overloaded, used in almost all activities, and represents one of the most frequent locations within arthrosis of the hand.

In the following video we explain what rhizarthrosis is.

Symptoms of rhizarthrosis

The symptoms often manifest themselves during the performance of daily tasks which are painful for the patient and are accompanied by loss of strength.
Actions as simple as sewing, turning keys, twisting cloths, pressing buttons, etc., become almost impossible to perform.
Pain sometimes wakes the patient up at night, but it is usually caused by the above-mentioned manoeuvres.
Despite the existence of an important painful picture, it is not always possible to find external signs.
However,the presence of a dorsal prominence at the base of the thumb is usual.

Phases in the evolution of rhizarthrosis

There are two phases of evolution:

Stages 1 and 2

These phases do not require surgery and physiotherapeutic treatment is aimed at reducing pain.

The patient will need physiotherapeutic treatment and, therefore, must complement it at home with the guidance of the physiotherapist.

Stages 3 and 4

Here the patient complains of significant pain in daily activities with accompanying bone deformity.

The rehabilitation treatment will be prior to surgery with the aim of reducing inflammation and pain, and then continue in the post-surgeryperiod for immediate recovery.

In addition to medical treatment, physiotherapy is the best accompaniment for a patient suffering from rhizarthrosis.

Physiotherapy treatment is essential to reduce pain and recover skillswhich may have been lost.