I have some sort of arthritis in my right thumb CMC joint. See the xray below, the issue in my thumb is the fuzzy blotch indicated by the red arrow.
The pain was pretty bad, and I didn't do anything about it for years. That was dumb.
Now, the pain is close to zero. Here is what I've done to manage it:
1. In case of a pain flair up, I put my hand in ice water for about 5 minutes and take a few ibuprofen. Then I minimize use of my thumb for the next day or so.
2. Wear a brace. Something like this one:
https://www.amazon.com/Trigger-Thumb-Splint-Stabilizer-Tendonitis/dp/B096XGF5LS/ The brace does an amazing job of reducing the pain and if I wear it for a day, the pain is basically gone.
The two steps above are easy, non-invasive and cheap. If you have thumb pain you should at least be doing these two steps.
3. Cortisone shot. 1 or 2 shots gives me 9-12 months of relief. I still try to minimize hard use of that thumb, but there is no issue in day to day activity.
If you have thumb pain and have not tried 1 or 2 cortisone shots, you should go get one ASAP.
4. PRP shot. I've been asking my doctor for over a year to do a PRP shot on my thumb. He refused because he said the data they had did not show it was better...but he admitted they did not have much data. I kept at him and he eventually agreed. I got the shot about three months ago and I am pain free (similar to a cortisone shot)...the question is, is it a permanent or at least longer term fix than the cortisone shot. Time will tell.
With options 3 and now 4, I don't have to wear a brace or ice my hand, and can use my thumb for all normal activities. I do try to avoid extreme pressure on my thumb, but it can take it.
Has anyone else tried a PRP shot?
