Réhabital
Thumb CMC Arthritis Treatment in Côte Saint-Luc
Opening a jar, turning a key or holding a phone may become uncomfortable when the base of the thumb is sensitive. Thumb arthritis can affect pinch strength and make repeated hand tasks tiring. Pain does not mean you must stop using your hand altogether. We help you find more comfortable ways to move, distribute effort and maintain the everyday activities that matter to you, without promising to reverse arthritis. At Réhabital in Côte Saint-Luc, on the Island of Montréal, Colin Teghen Tamuton, physiotherapist and OPPQ member, tailors assessment and exercise to your circumstances. Physiotherapy is directly accessible in Québec without a medical referral.
Book an AppointmentUnderstanding This Condition
Thumb CMC osteoarthritis affects the first carpometacarpal joint, also called the trapeziometacarpal joint. It connects the first metacarpal to a small wrist bone called the trapezium. Its considerable mobility allows the thumb to face the fingers, which is essential for grasping and pinching. Osteoarthritis involves changes in cartilage and other joint tissues; it is not simply a matter of wearing the joint out through use. Symptoms can fluctuate with tasks, periods of irritation and the ability of surrounding muscles to distribute force. Imaging and pain do not always match: visible arthritic changes may cause few symptoms. Conversely, substantial pain deserves assessment even when an X-ray does not look dramatic. De Quervain tendon pain, nerve problems and inflammatory arthritis can produce nearby or overlapping symptoms. Assessment identifies the painful area, reviews movement, grip and strength, and looks for signs of other conditions. Conservative care aims to improve comfort, control and everyday function. It does not regrow cartilage, and success should not be judged solely by whether the joint looks different on a later image.
Common Symptoms
Common Causes
Joint tissue changes
Osteoarthritis involves several joint tissues and is not explained solely by mechanical wear.
Age and individual factors
It becomes more common with age, while family history and biological factors may also contribute.
Previous injury
A past fracture or joint injury can alter loading and influence later joint changes.
Joint stability
Laxity and altered alignment may change how force is distributed during pinching.
Repeated loading
Strong, sustained pinch can provoke a sensitive joint without being the sole cause of osteoarthritis.
Our Treatment Approach
We begin with the tasks that actually limit you, such as cooking, writing, tools, personal care or work. Learning less demanding grips and using appropriate aids can reduce joint stress without giving up the activity. Exercise develops comfortable movement and thumb control, then gradually builds useful hand strength according to tolerance. Repeated hard squeezing is not necessarily the right starting exercise. We aim for a useful thumb position without forcing a rigid, painful correction. A supporting orthosis may be considered for particular tasks or periods of discomfort. We discuss selection, fit and whether referral to occupational therapy or a hand-care professional would be helpful, without promising custom fabrication at the clinic. Manual techniques may temporarily ease discomfort but do not restore cartilage. If symptoms remain substantial, a physician can discuss medication, injection or specialist advice. Surgery is an option for selected persistent problems, not an automatic consequence of an X-ray finding. Follow-up checks whether everyday tasks are easier and whether the plan is practical enough to continue, rather than simply adding more exercises whenever symptoms fluctuate.
What to Expect at Your First Visit
Your first appointment starts with a discussion of symptom onset, previous injuries, treatments already tried and the activities you want to regain. Bring relevant reports if available and clothing that allows a comfortable examination. The physiotherapist observes movement, measures useful abilities and chooses tests according to your tolerance; there is no need to provoke every symptom to gather information. We explain the findings, their limitations and the reasoning behind the proposed plan. You leave with a realistic number of exercises, clear dosage and advice about when to reduce effort or seek help. Follow-ups reflect progress, independence and activity demands rather than a guaranteed appointment count. If the pattern suggests another cause or improvement does not fit expectations, we discuss appropriate medical referral. Your preferences and practical constraints help shape the plan, including how much home exercise is feasible and which daily task should be prioritized first.
At-Home Self-Care Tips
- Try a jar opener or wider handle to reduce pinch force.
- Share loads between both hands instead of gripping hard with fingertips.
- Alternate tasks and take breaks before pain rises substantially.
- Practise prescribed movement and control exercises without forcing the joint.
- Try gentle warmth for stiffness or protected cold during a flare according to comfort.
- Discuss orthosis selection and medication with a professional rather than tightening an uncomfortable support.
Prognosis & Recovery Timeline
Thumb osteoarthritis is a lasting condition, but its symptoms and impact are not fixed. Activity adjustments, exercise and sometimes an orthosis can improve comfort and independence without changing the X-ray. Flares may call for temporarily reducing or redistributing loads. Persistent limitations or little improvement warrant review of the plan and medical options. No conservative approach can guarantee that joint changes will stop, and symptom relief does not mean the underlying arthritis has disappeared.
When to See Us at Réhabital
Book an assessment if pain affects daily tasks, sleep or your return to activity, or if you are uncertain how to move without repeatedly aggravating symptoms. You do not need to wait until pain becomes unbearable to seek advice. Pain after a fall with marked swelling or difficulty using the hand needs medical assessment for possible fracture. Seek urgent care for a red, hot, very swollen joint with fever, a deep wound, or a thumb that is cold, pale or suddenly numb. Prolonged morning stiffness with several swollen joints requires medical review because inflammatory arthritis may be involved rather than isolated thumb osteoarthritis.
Why Réhabital Clinic
Réhabital is on the ground floor of Cavendish Mall at D4-5800 Cavendish Boulevard in Côte Saint-Luc, on the Island of Montréal. There are no stairs to access the clinic and parking is free. Evening and Sunday hours can make appointments easier to arrange. Book through Jane App or call (438) 842-3550. Physiotherapy emphasizes an understandable active plan and goals that matter in daily life. Osteopathy and massage therapy are also available as separate services; they do not replace medical assessment when it is needed. Private-insurance receipts are issued. Please consult the Pricing page for physiotherapy fees: the 10% first-clinic-visit discount does not apply to physiotherapy. Appointments take place at the clinic, with no home visits, and CNESST and SAAQ files are not accepted for treatment. We discuss which support is relevant rather than assuming that every patient needs multiple services.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Address
D4-5800 Cavendish Blvd
Côte Saint-Luc, QC H4W 2T5
Phone
(438) 842-3550Hours
Mon–Fri: 10AM–8PM
Sun: 10AM–4PM
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