To prevent rhizarthrosis (thumb saddle joint osteoarthritis), attention must be paid to reducing individual risk factors.
Behavioral risk factors
- Physical activity
- Underloading of the cartilage:
- Lack of physical activity – since cartilage gets its micronutrients from the synovial fluid, it relies on the joint being moved for cartilage growth
- Nutritive damage (eg, long rest in a cast).
- Overloading of the cartilage, e.g., through competitive and high-performance sports* or long-lasting heavy physical stress, e.g., in the profession (construction workers, especially floor layers).
- Underloading of the cartilage:
* Sports are only healthy as long as joints are not damaged in the process or have no pre-existing conditions.
