Thumb pain can be a debilitating condition, affecting daily tasks such as gripping, typing, or even holding a cup. Whether it’s caused by arthritis, tendinitis, or an injury, thumb pain can interfere with your ability to perform everyday activities. At the Neurology and Pain Management Clinic (NPMC), we offer advanced injection therapies to provide effective relief for thumb pain, restoring mobility and improving quality of life.
Common Causes of Thumb Pain
There are several potential causes of thumb pain, including:
Osteoarthritis: The most common cause of thumb pain, particularly in older adults, is osteoarthritis. This degenerative joint disease occurs when the cartilage that cushions the joints wears away, leading to pain, swelling, and stiffness.
De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis: This condition involves inflammation of the tendons on the thumb side of the wrist, causing pain along the base of the thumb and difficulty with thumb movement.
Repetitive Strain Injuries: Repetitive motion from activities such as texting, typing, or excessive use of the hands can strain the tendons, ligaments, and muscles in the thumb, leading to pain and discomfort.
Injuries: Trauma to the thumb, such as fractures, sprains, or dislocations, can cause acute pain and may lead to long-term discomfort if not properly treated.
How Injections at NPMC Can Help
At NPMC, Dr. Gautam Arora and his team specialize in providing targeted, minimally invasive treatments for thumb pain. When conservative treatments like physical therapy or medication aren’t enough, injection therapy can be a highly effective option to manage and alleviate pain. Here are some of the most common injection therapies we offer for thumb pain:
1. Corticosteroid Injections
Corticosteroids are powerful anti-inflammatory medications that can provide rapid relief from thumb pain caused by arthritis, tendinitis, or injury. The injection delivers the medication directly to the affected joint or tendon, reducing inflammation and swelling, and improving range of motion.
- Benefits: Fast-acting pain relief and reduced inflammation. Often provides relief for weeks or months.
- Procedure: The injection is performed under sterile conditions, targeting the precise area of inflammation. It’s a quick procedure with minimal downtime.
2. Hyaluronic Acid Injections
Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance in the body that helps lubricate the joints. In cases of thumb arthritis, hyaluronic acid injections can help restore lubrication to the joint, reducing friction and improving mobility.
- Benefits: Improves joint lubrication, reduces pain, and enhances range of motion, especially for arthritis-related thumb pain.
- Procedure: Administered directly into the thumb joint, this injection helps improve joint function and reduce pain caused by cartilage wear.
3. Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Injections
Platelet-rich plasma therapy uses your own blood, which is processed to concentrate platelets and growth factors. When injected into the thumb joint or tendon, PRP promotes healing by stimulating the repair of damaged tissues. This therapy is especially effective for chronic tendonitis and ligament injuries.
- Benefits: Accelerates tissue repair, reduces inflammation, and enhances long-term recovery.
- Procedure: A small sample of blood is drawn from the patient, processed in a centrifuge to concentrate platelets, and then injected into the painful area to promote healing.
4. Prolotherapy Injections
Prolotherapy is a regenerative injection therapy that involves injecting a solution (typically a dextrose-based solution) into damaged ligaments, tendons, or joints. This solution stimulates the body’s healing processes, encouraging the growth of new tissue and providing long-term relief from pain.
- Benefits: Promotes healing of damaged ligaments and tendons, reduces pain, and restores thumb strength and function.
- Procedure: The injection is performed directly into the affected area to stimulate the body’s natural repair mechanisms.
The Injection Procedure at NPMC
At NPMC, we ensure that all injection therapies are performed with the utmost care and precision. Dr. Gautam Arora and his team use advanced imaging techniques, such as ultrasound, to guide injections and ensure that the medication is delivered to the precise area of pain. This minimizes discomfort and maximizes the effectiveness of the treatment.
The injection procedure typically takes only a few minutes, and while it is minimally invasive, we make every effort to ensure your comfort throughout the process. After the injection, you may experience immediate relief, although it can take a few days to notice the full benefits, especially for treatments like PRP.
Recovery and Results
Most patients can return to their normal activities shortly after receiving an injection. There may be some mild soreness or discomfort at the injection site, which typically resolves within a few days. If you’ve received a corticosteroid or hyaluronic acid injection, you may feel immediate relief, while regenerative therapies like PRP or prolotherapy may take a few weeks to show full benefits as the body heals.
It’s important to follow any post-procedure instructions provided by Dr. Arora to ensure optimal results. You may be advised to rest the thumb for a short period or perform specific exercises to enhance recovery.
Why Choose NPMC for Thumb Pain Relief?
At NPMC, we are committed to providing personalized, comprehensive care for all our patients. Whether you suffer from arthritis, tendinitis, or an injury, our injection therapies are tailored to your specific needs. With Dr. Gautam Arora’s expertise in pain management and advanced treatment options, we help you achieve lasting relief and improved function in the thumb.
If you are struggling with thumb pain and are looking for effective, minimally invasive treatments, schedule a consultation at NPMC today. Our team will work closely with you to determine the most appropriate treatment plan to help you get back to your normal activities with less pain and more mobility.
