Table of Contents
What is CMC of the hand?
The base of the thumb where it meets the hand is called the carpometacarpal (CMC) joint. This joint allows the thumb to move freely in many directions. It also provides strength so the hand can grasp and grip. A smooth tissue called cartilage lines and cushions the bones of the CMC joint.
Why is CMC arthritis so painful?
Arthritis at the joint at the base of the thumb, or the carpalmetacarpal (CMC) joint is very common. When osteoarthritis occurs at this joint, the cartilage begins to wear down creating painful bone on bone friction.
How do you fix a CMC joint?
Thumb CMC arthroplasty involves removing the small wrist bone that is part of the CMC joint and replacing it with a wrist flexor tendon. During the procedure, a small incision (approximately 1.5 inches) is made over the CMC joint, and the trapezium wrist bone is removed.
How do you know if you have CMC arthritis?
Swelling, stiffness and tenderness at the base of your thumb. Decreased strength when pinching or grasping objects. Decreased range of motion. Enlarged or bony appearance of the joint at the base of your thumb.
Is CMC surgery painful?
You will generally have no pain, and the numbing medication usually lasts about 8 or more hours, so you will leave the surgery center with no pain.
What is CMC pain?
Carpometacarpal (CMC) joint arthritis is arthritis at the base of your thumb, where your thumb and wrist meet. As the cartilage wears down, the ends of the bones rub together causing pain and making it difficult to use your thumb.
What is the first CMC joint?
The 1st CMC (carpometacarpal) joint is a specialized saddle-shaped joint at the base of the thumb. The trapezium carpal bone of the wrist and the first metacarpal bone of the hand form the 1st CMC or thumb basal joint.
Where is the CMC joint?
[edit on Wikidata] The carpometacarpal (CMC) joints are five joints in the wrist that articulate the distal row of carpal bones and the proximal bases of the five metacarpal bones.
What is instability of the CMC joint?
Instability of the CMC joint is often caused by osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis . Osteoarthritis develops relatively frequently at the CMC joint of the thumb, often as a result of athletic injury or cumulative trauma associated with an arduous occupation or hobby.
What is CMC joint fusion?
Joint fusion is a procedure that joins the surfaces of the thumb metacarpal and the trapezium so they don’t move or cause pain. This surgery is usually done on younger patients who have to have a lot of thumb strength on the job, such as carpenters who need to use a hammer all day. Once the CMC joint is fused, their pain goes away.