Medically reviewed by: Mark A. Yaffe, MD, certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, subspecialty certified in hand surgery. Last reviewed: October 5, 2026
THUMB ARTHRITIS TREATMENT IN Schaumburg, Buffalo Grove & Elk Grove Village
Base-of-Thumb (CMC) Arthritis Treatment
Dr. Mark Yaffe(opens in a new tab) is an orthopedic specialist with a subspecialty focus on hand and wrist conditions, including arthritis at the base of the thumb. Arthritis in this joint can make everyday tasks such as turning a key, opening a jar or pinching a pen painful. Dr. Yaffe’s goal is to relieve that pain and restore thumb function with the least invasive approach that will work for you.
Whether you are just noticing an ache at the base of your thumb or have lived with it for years, Dr. Yaffe offers a thorough evaluation and a plan matched to how advanced your arthritis is. As part of his broader hand and wrist care(opens in a new tab), he starts with non-surgical treatment and offers a single-incision technique for base-of-thumb arthritis surgery when surgery is the right next step.
Dr. Yaffe takes the time to listen to your concerns and explains your options so you can decide what fits your goals. If you are ready to find relief with one of the hand & wrist doctors serving Schaumburg(opens in a new tab), Buffalo Grove(opens in a new tab), and Elk Grove Village(opens in a new tab), request your first appointment with Dr. Yaffe today.
Thumb Pain, Weak Pinch & Stiffness at the CMC Joint
Signs and Symptoms of Base-of-Thumb Arthritis
The carpometacarpal (CMC) joint sits at the base of the thumb, where the thumb metacarpal meets the trapezium bone of the wrist. It lets you pinch, grip and turn objects. When the cartilage in this joint wears away, the bones rub together, and common signs include:
- Pain at the base of the thumb: An ache or sharp pain where the thumb meets the wrist, often felt during use and sometimes at rest or at night.
- Pain typically worsens with pinching, gripping, turning keys, opening jars, writing or using a phone.
- Swelling and tenderness: The joint may look swollen or feel tender when pressed, especially after activity.
- Weak pinch and grip: Difficulty holding a cup, carrying groceries or turning a doorknob because the thumb feels weak or gives out.
- Stiffness and reduced motion: Trouble spreading the thumb away from the palm, sometimes with a grinding or clicking feeling in the joint.
- Changes in the shape of the joint: A visible bump at the base of the thumb can develop as arthritis progresses.
- In advanced cases the thumb can drift toward the palm and the next joint may bend backward to compensate, which is one reason early evaluation is worthwhile.
SPLINTS, INJECTIONS & SINGLE-INCISION THUMB SURGERY
Thumb Arthritis Treatment Options
The right treatment depends on how advanced your arthritis is and how much it limits your daily life. Most patients begin with non-surgical care. Dr. Yaffe’s options include:
- Non-surgical care: Splinting or bracing the base of the thumb, anti-inflammatory medication, activity changes, hand therapy, and injections to calm inflammation. These measures can relieve pain and protect the joint, particularly in earlier stages.
- CMC Arthroplasty: A single-incision technique with no need to cut or harvest tendon. The arthritic trapezium bone is removed and a slip of an adjacent tendon is used to support the base of the thumb, which can mean quicker recovery and less postoperative pain.
- Minimally-Invasive Surgery(opens in a new tab): Dr. Yaffe’s minimally-invasive approach to base-of-thumb arthritis uses a single incision and is designed to reduce recovery time and postoperative discomfort so you can return to your daily activities sooner.
- Joint Replacement Surgery(opens in a new tab): Dr. Yaffe’s thumb CMC joint replacement procedure restores function to the worn joint through a single incision, with a removable splint instead of a cast afterward.
Surgery is considered when pain continues despite non-surgical treatment and limits what you need to do each day. There is no single right time, and Dr. Yaffe will walk through your options with you. This page is for education and does not replace an examination, so an in-person evaluation is the way to confirm your diagnosis and the best plan for you.
About your surgeon. Dr. Mark A. Yaffe is certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery in orthopaedic surgery, with a subspecialty certification in hand surgery, and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. He earned his M.D. at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, completed his orthopaedic residency at Northwestern, and trained in hand and upper extremity surgery at The Indiana Hand to Shoulder Center. He was named a Castle Connolly Top Doctor in 2026 and a Chicago Magazine Top Doctor in 2025. Read Dr. Yaffe's full bio.(opens in a new tab)
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes base-of-thumb arthritis?
Base-of-thumb arthritis develops when the cartilage cushioning the CMC joint gradually wears down. It is most common after age 40 and is seen more often in women. A previous thumb injury or fracture, loose joint ligaments, a family history of arthritis, and years of repetitive pinching and gripping can all contribute. Dr. Yaffe evaluates each patient to understand what is driving their symptoms.
How is thumb CMC arthritis diagnosed?
Diagnosis starts with your history and a hands-on exam of the thumb, including checking for tenderness, motion, strength and joint stability. X-rays are used to confirm the arthritis and show how advanced it is, such as narrowing of the joint space or bone spurs. This gives Dr. Yaffe the information needed to recommend the right level of treatment.
Can thumb arthritis be treated without surgery?
Yes. Many patients find meaningful relief with a splint or brace, anti-inflammatory medication, activity changes, hand therapy and injections, especially in the earlier stages. These options cannot reverse arthritis, but they can reduce pain and help you keep using your hand comfortably. Surgery is discussed if these measures stop working.
Do injections help thumb arthritis?
Injections can reduce inflammation and ease pain for some patients, but the relief is often temporary and varies from person to person. They do not repair the worn cartilage. Dr. Yaffe can explain whether an injection makes sense for you based on your exam and X-rays.
When should I consider surgery for thumb arthritis?
Surgery is worth discussing when pain persists despite non-surgical treatment and interferes with daily tasks, work, hobbies or sleep, or when the joint has become significantly stiff, weak or deformed. Because every patient is different, Dr. Yaffe reviews the expected benefits and risks of surgery with you so you can make an informed decision before moving forward.
How does Dr. Yaffe’s thumb CMC arthroplasty work?
A Thumb CMC Arthroplasty with suture suspension is an outpatient procedure that takes about 45 minutes and is usually performed by Dr. Yaffe at Schaumburg Surgery Center(opens in a new tab). His technique uses a single incision without cutting any tendon structures, which can improve recovery time and postoperative discomfort. The arthritic trapezium bone is removed and an adjacent tendon slip (APL) is transferred to help support the base of the thumb. Removing the trapezium and reconstructing the support of the thumb is among the most established surgical treatments for thumb arthritis. Results vary by patient, and Dr. Yaffe will discuss what to expect for your situation.
What can I expect during my recovery from thumb CMC arthroplasty?
Following surgery, the thumb is padded and placed in a splint to protect it and promote healing. Light activities of daily life in the splint can be started immediately after surgery, with restrictions on heavy lifting for 6-8 weeks until the splint is discontinued. Dr. Yaffe’s patients work with Certified Hand Therapists to regain range of motion and strength, although many patients require minimal therapy postoperatively. Recovery timelines vary from patient to patient.
How can I get started with the best hand and wrist specialist near me?
At Dr. Yaffe’s practice, we want it to be as easy as possible to get started on your road to relief. Just use our simple online appointment request(opens in a new tab) tool, and it helps to note which activities bother your thumb most.
Get Your Thumb Pain Evaluated by a Hand & Wrist Specialist
Expert Orthopedic Care from Mark A. Yaffe, M.D.