Typical of osteoarthritis is the usually slowly increasing onset of joint pain.
The following symptoms and complaints may indicate finger and thumb joint arthritis:
- Feeling of tension in the affected joints
- Joint swelling*
- Joint stiffness
- Pain on exertion
- Continuous pain
- Muscle tension due to gentle posture
- Crepitation in the joint (joint noises)
- Increased sensitivity of the joints to wetness and / or cold.
- Effusion formation*
- In the late stage – movement deficits, deformations, muscle shortening.
* If there are signs of inflammation (effusion, swelling, hyperthermia), it is called “activated” osteoarthritis.
Further notes
- Advanced stages of finger and thumb joint osteoarthritis are noticeable by a spindle-shaped swelling around the joint.
- Patients with rhizarthrosis typically experience discomfort when opening a bottle.
- Rest or immobilization leads to relief of pain in most cases.
