Associated symptoms | Pain in the thumb end joint

Associated symptoms

Depending on the cause of the pain in the thumb end joint, various accompanying complaints can occur. The pain can occur during special movements, at certain times of the day or radiate.Inflammatory changes are accompanied by the typical inflammatory symptoms: Redness, swelling, overheating and functional impairment of the affected joint. Swelling can be an accompanying symptom of pain in the thumb end joint.

The symptom is characterized by an accumulation of fluid in the tissue. Causes are acute arthritis, an acute attack of gout and psoriatic arthritis. In addition, acute inflammation caused by bacteria or viruses may also occur. Swelling is a typical sign of inflammation and is usually accompanied by redness, overheating and restricted movement of the affected joint.

Pain when gripping

Different hand movements put a lot of strain on the thumb. Essential is the grasping of objects, spreading the thumb, stretching, bending and turning. The thumb saddle joint plays the largest role in movements of the thumb in all directions.

The thumb end joint enables stretching and bending and is nowadays of great importance in the use of smartphones. If pain occurs in the thumb end joint when grasping, this often indicates an acute overloading of the joint. In the long term, the thumb end joint can wear out and develop arthrosis.

Pain up to the ball of the thumb

The pain from the thumb end joint can radiate into the ball of the hand. A typical cause is tendovaginitis, tendovaginitis. The inflammation runs along the course of the tendons, from the thumb to the ball of the hand.

In addition to pain, swelling and redness are typically seen in the area where the tendons run. Movements with the thumb are severely restricted and painful under pressure. In addition, an inflammation in the context of a phlegmon can take a similar street-like course and cause pain that extends to the palm of the hand.

A phlegmon is a purulent infectious disease of the connective tissue. The pathogens can penetrate the skin through an injury to the thumb and spread from the tip of the thumb towards the wrist. A phlegmon can cause life-threatening complications and is therefore in dire need of treatment.