First-Line Treatment for Thumb Osteoarthritis
Thumb osteoarthritis most commonly involves the first carpometacarpal (CMC) joint, causing pain, stiffness, and reduced hand function. First-line management focuses on structured non-pharmacological strategies to reduce symptoms and support joint function.
Clinical Approach
The first-line protocol combines self-management education programmes with targeted physical strategies for the thumb and first CMC joint. Structured self-management addresses skill-building, education about the condition, joint protection, and exercise approaches.
The complete protocol specifies all interventions, their recommended status, and the full approach — see the structured regimen below.
References
DOI: 10.1016/j.rdc.2022.03.009.
- Self-efficacy and self-management programs were consistently strongly recommended across guidelines; these programs typically use a multidisciplinary group-based format addressing skill-building, education about the disease and therapies, joint protection measures, managing weight, and fitness and exercise approaches and goals.
- Range of motion/flexibility exercises were strongly recommended for hand OA in the EULAR guidelines, but overall there was less agreement on the benefits of exercise for hand OA.
- Splints for trapeziometacarpal OA were conditionally recommended by EULAR and ACR/AF.
- First CMC splinting was strongly recommended in the ACR/AF guidelines for hand OA involving the CMC joint.
- Kinesiotaping was conditionally recommended for knee and/or first CMC joint OA in the ACR/AF guidelines.
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