Common hand & wrist concerns we treat
- Pain that limits walking, lifting, or sleep
- Stiffness, swelling, or reduced range of motion
- Sports injuries: acute or overuse
- Arthritis or post-traumatic joint changes
- Conditions other doctors couldn't resolve
Thumb Arthritis (CMC Arthritis)
Arthritis at the base of the thumb
Thumb arthritis (CMC arthritis) is wear of the cartilage at the base of the thumb, producing pain with pinching, gripping, and twisting motions. Same-day or next-week evaluations across eight LA-area offices.
See a specialist this week
Board-certified surgeons and podiatrists across eight Los Angeles area neighborhoods.
Book a visitOr call (323) 264-7600
What sets LAOSS apart
- Same- or next-day appointments at eight Los Angeles-area offices
- On-site imaging; PT coordinated with your in-network provider
- Conservative-first care, surgery only when needed
- Board-certified specialists, not generalists
Key takeaways
- Thumb arthritis is one of many hand & wrist conditions our specialists evaluate every day.
- Most patients improve with conservative care: image-guided injections, bracing, and PT with your in-network provider.
- When a procedure is the right call, we explain every option, recovery timeline, and return-to-activity milestone.
- On-site imaging at most offices and same-day appointments across eight Los Angeles-area locations.
What is thumb arthritis?
Thumb arthritis (CMC arthritis) is wear of the cartilage at the base of the thumb, producing pain with pinching, gripping, and twisting motions. Symptoms can develop gradually or after a specific injury, so early evaluation matters when function starts to decline.
Most patients with thumb arthritis improve with conservative care: targeted physical therapy, image-guided injections, bracing when relevant, and activity modification. When conservative care isn't enough or imaging shows structural injury that won't heal on its own, our specialists offer the next-step procedures discussed below.
Below, we walk through the anatomy involved, the symptoms and causes we most often see, how we diagnose thumb arthritis, and the full range of treatment options, from the simplest to the most involved.
Watch: Thumb Arthritis
This is arthritis that affects the joint at the base of the thumb. We call this the "basal" (or "carpometacarpal") joint. Arthritis here makes it hard for you to do tasks that require pinching or gripping.
Inside the hand & wrist.
The hand and wrist are an intricate stack of small bones, tendons, and nerves that let you grip, pinch, and feel. The median, ulnar, and radial nerves carry sensation and movement from the forearm into the fingers. Most hand and wrist problems are either a tendon issue (trigger finger, De Quervain's), a nerve compression (carpal or cubital tunnel), or arthritis at one of the small joints.
Symptoms and causes of thumb arthritis
Common symptoms
- Pain at the base of the thumb
- Weakness with pinching or gripping
- A bony bump at the base of the thumb
- Pain opening jars or turning keys
Common causes
- Age-related cartilage wear
- Prior thumb sprain or fracture
- More common in women over 40
- Repetitive thumb-loading work or hobbies
How we diagnose thumb arthritis
You want answers, fast, and we're built to give them. Most patients leave their first LAOSS visit with a clear diagnosis and a written plan, not another referral chain.
Here's what your initial visit for thumb arthritis typically looks like:
- Detailed history: when it started, what makes it better or worse, what you've already tried
- Focused exam of the hand & wrist: range of motion, stability, strength, specific provocation tests
- On-site imaging at most offices: X-ray for bone, ultrasound or MRI when soft-tissue detail is needed
- A written plan with options ranging from conservative care to surgical procedures, in plain English
Schedule your evaluation at the LAOSS office nearest you.
How we treat thumb arthritis at LAOSS
Once we've confirmed the diagnosis, the next step is matching the right treatment to your situation. We start with the least-invasive option that fits, and escalate only when it doesn't.
Conservative care
Step 1Conservative care first
Non-surgical options designed to relieve pain, restore movement, and avoid the OR when possible.
- Thumb splint or brace to rest and support the joint
- Activity changes and adaptive tools such as jar openers and wider grips
- Oral or topical anti-inflammatory medication
- Hand therapy for joint protection and thumb strengthening
- Corticosteroid injection into the joint for flare-ups
Surgical care
When neededSurgical options when needed
Minimally invasive and reconstructive procedures performed by board-certified orthopedic surgeons.
- Trapeziectomy: removal of the small arthritic bone (trapezium) at the base of the thumb
- Ligament reconstruction and tendon interposition (LRTI) to support and cushion the thumb
- Suture suspensionplasty as another way to support the thumb
- Joint fusion (arthrodesis) for select patients
- Joint replacement (implant) for select patients
- Splinting and hand therapy after surgery
Why experience matters.
Why experience matters
Hand & wrist care is highly technique-dependent. Volume, training, and judgment together determine the outcome you actually feel six months later.
- Precise diagnosis from imaging and exam
- Conservative-first care that avoids unnecessary surgery
- Surgical technique refined over thousands of cases
- On-site imaging + coordinated PT through your in-network provider
The LAOSS approach
Our hand & wrist specialists move stepwise: start with the least-invasive option that fits your situation, escalate only when it doesn't.
- Same-day imaging at most offices
- PT coordinated in your insurance network
- Board-certified surgeons performing the procedures themselves
- Direct access to your specialist between visits
Am I a candidate?
If most of these match your situation, an evaluation with a hand & wrist specialist is the next step.
You may be a candidate if
These signs typically point toward an in-person evaluation with a hand & wrist specialist.
- Pain or stiffness in the hand & wrist that lasts more than a few days
- Swelling, instability, or noticeable change in function
- Symptoms that limit gripping, lifting, sleep, or work
- Previous treatment that didn't fully resolve the problem
- Imaging or exam findings that suggest an underlying issue
What evaluation includes
Your first visit is built to give you an answer the same day, not just another referral.
- Detailed history: onset, mechanism, what makes it better or worse
- Hands-on exam focused on the affected joint or region
- On-site imaging at most offices (X-ray, ultrasound)
- Clear plan with options ranging from conservative to surgical
- Same-day or next-day scheduling for any follow-up tests
ImportantSeek urgent evaluation for sudden severe pain, numbness, progressive weakness, or any sign of infection (fever, increasing redness or swelling).
Your hand & wrist recovery roadmap.
Recovery is rarely a straight line, but a clear plan with measurable milestones makes the path predictable.
- Days 0 to 14
Right after care
In the first two weeks we focus on protecting the hand & wrist, calming inflammation, and restoring basic motion.
- Activity modification with clear do/don't guidance
- Ice, elevation, and pain control as needed
- Gentle range-of-motion within safe limits
- Follow-up scheduled to track healing
- Weeks 2 to 8
Rehabilitation
Targeted physical therapy rebuilds strength, mobility, and confidence in the hand & wrist.
- Progressive strengthening and neuromuscular work
- Manual therapy and soft-tissue treatment
- Sport- or job-specific movement re-training
- Coordinated PT through your in-network provider
- Months 2+
Long-term care
Once function is restored, the focus shifts to keeping you there, and catching any recurrence early.
- Return-to-activity plan with measured benchmarks
- Home program tailored to your sport or job
- Maintenance visits or imaging if symptoms change
- Direct line back to your specialist if needed
Risks & considerations
What to weigh before you decide.
We talk through the risks and benefits with every patient. Informed consent is a conversation, not a form.
General considerations
Every orthopedic intervention carries a small set of standard risks. We screen, prepare, and monitor for these on every patient.
- Infection (rare with modern technique and prophylaxis)
- Bleeding or bruising at the treatment site
- Reaction to anesthesia or medications
- Need for additional procedures in some cases
Hand and wrist considerations
Some risks are tied to the structures we're treating in the hand & wrist. We discuss these in detail at your visit so you can weigh them against the benefits.
- Temporary stiffness or weakness during recovery
- Incomplete pain relief in a small percentage of cases
- Nerve or vessel irritation near the treatment area
- Need for follow-up therapy to fully restore function
Meet our hand & wrist doctors in the Greater Los Angeles area
At LAOSS, our hand & wrist specialists are board-certified and treat these problems every day. From minimally invasive arthroscopic techniques to joint replacement and arthritis management, our physicians bring decades of experience to every case. We have cared for Los Angeles patients since 2007, with one goal for each: less pain, better movement, and a return to the activities you love.
Care for thumb arthritis starts here
Don't let thumb arthritis be something you just power through. With same- or next-day appointments at multiple Los Angeles locations, you'll never wait weeks or months for answers. The same team handles your diagnosis, treatment, and recovery. Whether you need physical therapy, injections, or surgery, we plan it with you and coordinate each step.
Call or schedule online today to see a hand & wrist specialist in Los Angeles.
Common thumb arthritis questions
- We start with a focused orthopedic exam and detailed history. X-rays are usually done in-office; MRI or ultrasound is ordered when soft-tissue detail is needed. Most patients leave the first visit with a clear diagnosis and a written plan.
Don't wait on pain.
Book a visit with a hand & wrist specialist at any of our eight Los Angeles-area offices.
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21 specialists · 8 offices
Greater Los Angeles
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