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Hand and Wrist · Hand and Upper Extremity

Trigger Finger

A finger or thumb that catches, clicks or locks in a bent position because the tendon no longer glides smoothly through its pulley.

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Hand and Wrist · Hand and Upper Extremity

Thumb Arthritis

Arthritis at the base of the thumb, the carpometacarpal joint, causing pain with pinching, gripping and twisting that makes jars, keys and doorknobs a daily obstacle.

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Hand and Wrist · Hand and Upper Extremity

Hand and Finger Fractures

Breaks of the finger bones and the long bones of the hand, from falls, punches, ball sports and crush injuries. Most heal with splinting; some need pins or plates to keep the fingers straight.

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Elbow · Hand and Upper Extremity

Cubital Tunnel Syndrome

Compression or irritation of the ulnar nerve behind the elbow, the funny bone, causing numbness in the ring and small fingers and, over time, hand weakness.

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Hand and Wrist · Hand and Upper Extremity

De Quervain Tenosynovitis

Inflammation of the two tendons that run along the thumb side of the wrist, causing sharp pain with lifting, gripping and turning the wrist.

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Hand and Wrist · Hand and Upper Extremity

Dupuytren Contracture

A thickening of the tissue under the skin of the palm into nodules and cords that slowly pull the fingers toward the palm until the hand will not lie flat.

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Hand and Wrist · Hand and Upper Extremity

Ganglion Cysts

A benign fluid-filled lump that balloons from a joint or tendon sheath, most often on the back of the wrist, that can ache, change size or press on a nerve.

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Hand and Wrist · Hand and Upper Extremity

Hand and Wrist Osteoarthritis

Wear of the cartilage in the small joints of the fingers and wrist, causing stiffness, swelling, bony knuckle enlargement and pain with gripping.

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Elbow · Hand and Upper Extremity

Distal Biceps Rupture

A tear of the biceps tendon from the bone at the elbow, with a pop, bruising, a bunched-up muscle and lost strength turning the palm up. Time-sensitive.

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Hand and Wrist · Hand and Upper Extremity

Scaphoid Fracture

A break in the small wrist bone below the thumb, often mistaken for a sprain, that heals poorly because of its blood supply and leads to arthritis if missed.

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Hand and Wrist · Hand and Upper Extremity

Wrist Instability

A torn ligament between the small bones of the wrist, most often the scapholunate ligament, that lets the bones shift out of alignment and wear the joint.

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Hand and Wrist · Hand and Upper Extremity

Hand and Wrist Tendon Injuries

Cuts, ruptures and overuse injuries of the tendons that bend and straighten the fingers and wrist, including mallet finger, jersey finger and tendinitis.

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What it is

Thumb Arthritis

The joint at the base of the thumb.

It also takes the force of every pinch, and its cartilage wears earlier than any other joint in the hand.It is especially common in women over fifty.

Treated by

M. Shane Frazier, DO, Hand and Upper Extremity surgeon at Ridgeline Orthopedic Specialists

Dr. FrazierHand and Upper Extremity

Toby Johnson, MD, Hand and Upper Extremity surgeon at Ridgeline Orthopedic Specialists

Dr. JohnsonHand and Upper Extremity

Travis Peterson, DO, Hand and Upper Extremity surgeon at Ridgeline Orthopedic Specialists

Dr. PetersonHand and Upper Extremity

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or call801-640-0000

Thumb Arthritis

Symptoms

Aching pain at the base of the thumb with pinching, gripping, opening jars, turning keys and writing.Swelling and tenderness at the thumb base. Over time, a bump at the base and a thumb that collapses inward.

Weak pinch and dropping small objects.

Common signs

Pain pinching or opening jars

Tender bump at the thumb base

Weak pinch, dropping things

Thumb collapsing inward

See us sooner if

Sudden pain after a fall

Numbness in the thumb

Thumb Arthritis

Causes

Age, genetics, and the mechanics of the joint itself.Prior fracture or ligament injury at the thumb base accelerates it. Repetitive forceful pinching adds load.It is osteoarthritis, not caused by typing or phone use, though those make it hurt.

Thumb Arthritis

How We Diagnose It

Exam reproduces pain with grinding the thumb base, and shows the characteristic prominence.X-rays confirm joint narrowing, spurs and any subluxation. No MRI is needed.De Quervain tenosynovitis and scaphoid problems sit nearby and are checked for.Common in gardeners, quilters and climbers; splints and injections carry most Utah Valley patients for years. Dr. Frazier, Dr. Johnson and Dr. Peterson operate at Utah Valley Hospital and Orem Community Hospital.

Thumb Arthritis

Treatment Options

A supportive thumb splint, activity changes, anti-inflammatories and hand therapy help most patients for years.

A corticosteroid injection gives months of relief.When pain limits daily life despite these, thumb CMC arthroplasty reconstructs the joint and reliably relieves pain.

Your options

Non-surgical

Thumb splint

Hand therapy

Anti-inflammatories

Injection

Surgical

CMC arthroplasty

Thumb CMC Arthroplasty

Trigger Finger Release

Thumb Arthritis

Procedures That Address It

Thumb CMC Arthroplasty

Trigger Finger Release

Thumb Arthritis

Surgeons Who Treat It

Dr. Frazier, DO

Fellowship trained in hand and upper extremity surgery at the University of Pittsburgh. Seventeen years in practice. Fluent in Spanish.

Dr. Johnson, MD

Weill Cornell graduate, hand fellowship at Allegheny General. Twenty-one years in practice and seventeen as a collegiate team physician.

Dr. Peterson, DO

Hand surgery fellowship at UMass Chan. Office-based, wide-awake carpal tunnel release. Fifteen years in practice. Speaks German.

Request an appointment

or call801-640-0000

ContactTalk toa real person.

Two clinics, one number to call or text. Same-day appointments for acute injuries whenever we can. The front desk will match you with the right surgeon.

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Provo1055 N 300 W, Ste 104

Orem700 W 800 N, Ste 330

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