Pain at the base of the thumb: thumb arthritis
Why the base of the thumb aches with gripping and twisting, what helps day to day, and when to see your GP.
The joint at the base of the thumb (the carpometacarpal, or CMC, joint) is one of the most commonly affected joints in the body for osteoarthritis. An NHS physiotherapy leaflet describes pain and reduced hand function, with difficulty opening jars and taps, writing, holding a book and lifting pots and plates.
When to get urgent help
Go to A&E or call 999 if you have any of these. They can be signs of a fracture, infection, blood clot or other emergency.
- A limb that looks deformed, or a joint that you cannot move or put weight on after an injury
- A cold, pale or numb foot or hand after injury
- A hot, red, swollen joint with a high temperature
- A painful, swollen, warm calf, with or without breathlessness or chest pain
What it can feel like
- Aching or sharp pain at the base of the thumb, near the wrist
- Pain with pinching, gripping, twisting or turning, such as opening jars and turning keys
- Stiffness, and sometimes swelling or a bony bump at the thumb base
- A weaker grip or less movement in the thumb
Common contributors
- Age-related changes in the joint
- The leaflet lists hypermobility, a past injury, obesity, hormonal and hereditary factors, repeated stress and repetitive fine manual work as contributors
- Instability of the thumb muscles is thought to play a part
General self-care
These are general comfort measures many people find reasonable. They are not a treatment plan, and what suits one person may not suit another.
- Rest from the activities that clearly aggravate it, and use larger-grip handles, jar openers and tap turners to reduce load
- A supportive thumb splint can ease pain during activity or at night for some people. A hand therapist or physiotherapist can advise on this
- The leaflet describes early home exercises, done slowly and stopped if they cause sharp pain. Exercise helps pain and function in the early stages
- Pain relief, including anti-inflammatory gels or tablets, can be discussed with a pharmacist or GP
When to see your GP
See your GP promptly, or call NHS 111, if you have any of the following:
- Pain after a significant injury, fall or twist
- Pain that is constant, severe or getting worse, or wakes you at night
- Unexplained weight loss, fever or feeling generally unwell with limb pain
Consider seeing your GP if:
- Pain that is not settling with simple measures, or that is stopping you doing things you need to do
- A thumb or hand that is hot, red and swollen, or swelling and stiffness in several finger joints
- Numbness or tingling in the hand, particularly at night. This may be carpal tunnel syndrome, which can occur alongside thumb arthritis
- A visibly changing shape of the joint, or a thumb that is becoming fixed
Where an osteopath fits in
There is limited good-quality research showing that hands-on treatment changes the course of thumb base arthritis, so I do not claim that osteopathy treats it.
What an osteopath can usefully do is examine the thumb, wrist and neck to rule out other causes of hand pain, advise on activity changes and joint protection, and refer you to a hand therapist or your GP if splints or a specialist opinion would help. The NHS physiotherapy leaflet says early, appropriately timed exercise may delay or reduce the need for surgery. If the assessment suggests you need your GP, a physiotherapist or a specialist instead, I will tell you.
If you would like your symptoms assessed, you are welcome to book an appointment. Osteopathic care is not right for everyone, and if something needs medical attention first, I will tell you.
Common questions
What helps arthritis at the base of the thumb?
An NHS physiotherapy leaflet suggests resting from aggravating activities, using a splint, simple pain relief and slow home exercises, which can help in the early stages. For severe pain with joint damage, injections or surgery are occasionally considered.
Is thumb pain from arthritis or De Quervain's?
Both cause pain at the thumb side of the wrist. Arthritis tends to hurt at the base of the thumb with gripping and pinching, while De Quervain's tends to hurt on the thumb side of the wrist with lifting and twisting. They are different conditions and an examination can tell them apart.
Free 5-minute exercise sheet
A simple, printable sheet of gentle exercises and stretches, about five minutes a day, based on NHS physiotherapy leaflets. It is general information, not a personal treatment plan, and it is not suitable if you have any of the urgent signs listed above.
Sources and further reading
Links open in a new tab. Sources were checked in October 2026.
Related guides
This page is general information to help you understand common aches and pains. It is not medical advice and cannot diagnose your problem. If you are worried about your symptoms, please speak to your GP or call NHS 111.