Synonyms
medical: Rhizarthrosis, Carpometacapal joint arthrosis Synonyms in a broader sense:
- Saddle joint arthrosis
- Thumb arthrosis
- Arthrosis of the thumb saddle joint
Definition
In principle, a distinction is made between different types of joint according to the shape of the joint bodies. These are the ball joint, the nut joint, the slip joint, the wobble joint, the roller joint, the egg joint and the saddle joint. The saddle joint (= articulatio sellaris) consists of two saddle-shaped joint surfaces, which are optimally matched to each other in terms of their structure and “fit”.
The thumb saddle joint is located between the large polygonal bone (= Os trapezium) and the first middle ray bone. Arthrosis of the thumb saddle joint (med. : rhizarthrosis) is a sign of wear (arthrosis) in the area of the thumb saddle joint. Frequently, the arthrosis also affects other joints of the hand, which means that the arthrosis can also have consequences in these joints.
Symptoms
Arthrosis of the thumb saddle joint typically results in pain in the joint. With regard to the sensation of pain, it should first be noted that patients can perceive the same pain quite differently from one person to another. As a result, some patients experience pain at rest in the early stages of arthrosis of the thumb saddle joint, while others experience pain at rest only in more advanced stages.
At this point a “normally” pain-sensitive patient is assumed. In the early stages of the disease, the patient often experiences a feeling of weakness in the area of the thumb. Especially in combination with everyday movements, so-called load-dependent pain often occurs.
Pressure pains are also typical at the beginning. However, the pain sometimes increases quite quickly, as wear and tear inevitably progresses. In more advanced stages, the pain increases, becomes more severe and sometimes radiates into other areas.
The clinical finding of arthrosis of the thumb saddle joint is expressed as a capsular swelling, consequently a swelling around the area of the saddle joint. Typically, a pressure pain can be exerted at this point. Pain is considered the leading symptom in the clinical picture of the thumb saddle joint.
The intensity and duration of the pain varies greatly from individual to individual. The stage of the disease also has an influence on which form of pain dominates. In the early stages, the pain symptoms usually occur in the form of pain under stress.
As the disease progresses, however, pain at rest can also develop, which is perceived as very stressful. In addition to the pain, swelling is a classic symptom of thumb saddle joint arthrosis. Therefore, the capsule tension often leads to pressure pain.
The respective forms of pain vary in their frequency, intensity and duration and tend to intensify with increasing signs of wear and tear of the thumb saddle joint. The pain is often not only localised in the area of the thumb saddle joint, but also radiates into the fingers and hand. The pain can also lead to functional impairment, usually in the form of reduced strength and mobility.
For example, patients find it difficult to grasp and hold objects firmly in the thumb saddle joint while suffering pain. Depending on the stage of the disease, mobility may also be restricted due to the pain. Especially twisting and grasping movements are perceived as very painful. The therapeutic steps are based on the respective pain symptoms, since pain is a good measure of how far the disease has progressed or how much the affected person is restricted and burdened by it.
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