Painful arthritic thumb joint (Interphalangeal (IP) Joint)

Oh dear I'm sorry about this. My thumbs started like this sometime ago and I have to say nothing helped now they all my fingers are like it. My rheumatologist says its wear and tear just keep taking the anti-inflammatories whichever ones you have been prescribed (if you haven't its a good idea to get some), wear gloves to stop you hands getting very cold. Don't plunge your hands into very hot water or use very hot local heat (you are heating up an already overheated joint). Various diets are used by some but no hard evidence is available that they work according to the rheumatologist. She referred me for wax bath treatment but the physiotherapy dept. here has stopped offering that service - apparently again no scientific evidence that it does any good. Hopefully yours will stay with just one joint- don't be afraid to take pin relief- being in pain doesn't help.

You could try turmeric, we talked about it on an arthritis thread after Christmas.

Any ideas for travelling by car with an arthritic hip?

I use Ketoprofen gel it is excellent for arthritis and related pain but is only available on prescription. Promedics thumb supports are also good for supporting the thumbs and are available through the NHS and Amazon.

My rhumatology physio advised that I should wear gloves every time that I go out except on really warm days and also gave me simple exercises to do. She said that it was especially important to do these when the joints were painful as that was when the joints where most at risk of becoming immobile.

It might be useful to ask your GP for a referral to a specialist physio.

I've had painful thumb joints for a long time ,I take anti-inflammatories for multi-joint arthritis which helps a little but in the long term the pain flares when it feels like it and nothing really takes it away completely sorry to be negative but Arthur is what it is I'm afraid.

I use Ibuprofen gel on my painful left thumb (right one is OK) and I also have a Vulkan thumb splint to wear when it's very bad. That does help. I was given one at the rheumatology clinic and have subsequently bought one on Amazon. I think the only other thing I could try would be a steroid injection into the joint but so far am managing with the gel, splint and painkillers. Good luck!

I had a steroid injection into my shoulder (rotor cuff injury). The pain had been waking me in the night and turning me in to a complaining old biddy (I never usually complain, you understand ). It was like a miracle, and now I'm back to my usual sunny self!

I've had a steroid injection for shoulder injury too, and yes, it was like a miracle.
But I've also got arthritic joints in hands feet knees hips etc, from "wear and tear". This is probably just me, but I find that while the lumps are developing they're painful, but once they're sort of fixed the pain goes (TG.) Though limited movement follows.

citric acid often makes it worse...so try cutting out balsamic vinegar (other vinegars may cause less of a flare up), oranges, lemons and grapefruit. I know people that has helped

Try a gel to rub on , the chemist could tell you which is best . I find this helps my hand joints better than taking tablets . I use an Ibuprophen gel several times a day which works wonders

Many thanks for all your suggestion!

Since my last post the pain in my thumb suddenly flared up and spread to my wrist - while using secateurs. I went to the Dr. and he prescribed a thumb/wrist support which is a great help. This is it:
www.ortholilas.com/rhizarthrose-fonction-manugib-gibaud,fr,4,rhizarthrosefonction.cfm

Oh yes I am in this boat as well.

Tricia I had a flare up like this last year there is apparently a tendon to the wrist that gets inflamed. www.webmd.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/de-quervains-disease

I can't take anti inflamatories as I had a bad reaction with aspirin.

I fell on my left hand and thumb several years ago and it gets very painful.
At the worst point last year just holding things to chop veg was painful.
I do have a thumb splint. I am trying to be a lot more careful lifting things.

I have used this.
www.amazon.co.uk/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=flexiseq&tag=googhydr-21&index=aps&hvadid=24516697854&hvpos=1t1&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=2499229242929625527&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=e&hvdev=c&ref=pd_sl_3kscp1cfa8_e
It does seem to help.

I also have RA and my treatment is Methotrexate Injections and Sulfasalazine.When I have individual joint flare up I find that Salonpas Pain patches work well.And also Flexall Gell,both make a difference especially if applied at bedtime.

Both of these are available from Amazon,good reviews on both,the Salonpas patches are plaster size and I paid around £12 for 140.They do help me on individual joint inflammation.