{"id":1153,"date":"2012-08-27T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2012-08-27T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ati.local\/?p=1153"},"modified":"2024-12-17T17:33:08","modified_gmt":"2024-12-17T17:33:08","slug":"tips-for-gardening-with-an-arthritic-thumb","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.atipt.com\/tips-for-gardening-with-an-arthritic-thumb\/","title":{"rendered":"Tips for Gardening with an Arthritic Thumb"},"content":{"rendered":"

Authored by Beth Warkentien, MS, OTR, Occupational Therapist, ATI Physical Therapy, Merrillville (84th Drive), IN<\/em><\/p>\n

Don\u2019t let an arthritic thumb keep you from exercising your green thumb this season. Gripping gardening tools can be painful due to arthritis.<\/p>\n

In osteoarthritis (OA), the most common form of arthritis, the cartilage layer that normally covers the end of bones and serves as a shock absorber to allow for smooth pain-free movement breaks down, causing direct contact between the bones.<\/p>\n

The base of the thumb is one of the most common joints in the hand affected by OA.\u00a0 The thumb basal joint, also called the carpometacarpal (CMC) joint, is a specialized saddle-shaped joint that is formed by a small bone of the wrist (trapezium) and the first bone of the thumb (metacarpal).\u00a0 This joint allows the thumb to move in a variety of motions and to pinch. OA is characterized by stiffness, pain, and a loss of mobility at this joint.<\/p>\n

With a few simple modifications, people with OA do not have to give up gardening. An occupational therapist can advise you about special aids or adaptive tools or splints that can be used to protect your joints while you garden. It is also important not to overuse or strain the joints or muscles while gardening. Below are a few key points to decrease the amount of stress applied to the arthritic thumb.<\/p>\n