Many acute and chronic injuries and diseases cause pain in the thumb and wrist. The bones, joints, ligaments and tendons in the thumb and wrist can all suffer injury or inflammation that leads to pain. Overuse and repetitive motion injuries, sport accidents, falls and aging are among the culprits that cause thumb and wrist pain.
Arthritis
The carpometacarpal joint at the base of the thumb near the wrist suffers considerable wear and tear over a lifetime. This joint, known as the basal joint or thumb CMC joint, often develops arthritis early in life, the American Society for Surgery of the Hand says. Even people who don't have arthritis in other areas may develop arthritis in this joint. Basal joint arthritis may interfere with the ability to pinch or grip with the thumb. Treatment may include anti-inflammatory medications, cortisone injections or surgery, which helps 4 out of 5 people.
Carpal Tunnel
Carpal tunnel, a repetitive motion injury, occurs when swelling compresses the median nerve in the wrist. Carpal tunnel injuries cause aching burning pain in the wrist, thumb or fingers, often accompanied by numbness and tingling that may extend as far as the elbow, according to the National Institutes of Health. It may be difficult to grasp with the thumb. Splints and anti-inflammatory medications help reduce swelling; surgery may be necessary.
De Quervain's Tendinitis
De Quervain's tendinitis, inflammation of the tendons that pass through the wrist and into the thumb, compresses the nerves and causes pain and swelling on the thumb side of the wrist. Movement of the thumb may be accompanied by a snapping or catching sensation, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, and moving the thumb and wrist may be painful.
Ganglion Cyst
Ganglion cysts develop next to joints or tendons. Because joints and tendons need lubricating fluid to move smoothly, compartments near joints and tendon in the fingers and wrist contain thick fluid that may leak out of the compartment. Once the fluid leaks out, the thickness makes it hard to work its way back in, so a lump of fluid that can become very hard develops. A ganglion cyst on the thumb side of the back or front of the wrist can put pressure on nerves that causes pain into the thumb or wrist. Between one third and two thirds of all ganglion cysts resolve spontaneously, the American Society for Surgery of the Hand reports. Some ganglion cysts grow into bone. Ganglion cysts may require cortisone injections, drainage or surgery.
Scaphoid Fracture
The wrist bone most likely to break, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, the scaphoid bone is the smallest bone in the wrist. A break in the scaphoid bone, found at the base of the thumb, causes pain and tenderness on the thumb side of the wrist. Scaphoid fractures may heal with casting or may require surgical repair.
References
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons: `De Quervain's Tendonitis
- National Institutes of Health Medline Plus: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons: Scaphoid Fractures
- American Society for Surgery of the Hand: Arthritis of the Thumb Basal Joint
- Society for Surgery of the Hand: Ganglion Cysts
