Early treatment of degenerative arthritis of the thumb carpometacarpal joint.

Degenerative arthritis of the thumb carpometacarpal (CMC) joint is a common disorder that may affect anyone but most frequently affects the postmenopausal female population. Because of its high prevalence, the management of the condition has been a popular topic among hand surgeons and therapists worldwide. There are many decisions to consider when devising the appropriate treatment plan for each patient. In particular, early stages of thumb CMC joint arthritis may be treated nonoperatively or with less invasive surgical techniques to relieve symptoms, restore function and strength, stop the progression of the disease, and even potentially reverse the process. This article explores treatment options at the disposal of primary care physicians and hand surgeons for early thumb CMC arthritis.