I have Osteoarthritis in both thumbs and the pain is starting to be unbearable. I am 54 and I have been dealing with this for about 3 years. The doc told me last year my hands were not bad enough for surgery. I cant zip my pants, hold my hair dryer or even hold my car keys so I can’t imagine how bad they have to be to have surgery. My doctor gave me Diclofenac Sodium 50mg and can be taken twice daily. I have read some reviews on this medication and I’m afraid to take it. I am also considering PRP Inhections. Has anyone taken this medication or had this procedure done? If so please share the good and the bad. Thank you!
You don't mention which joint or joints you're having osteoarthritis in. But I'm going to be assuming that it is in the joint in the meaty part of the thumb. Where the thumb meets the palm of your hand. Have you have ever tried getting and wearing thumb braces? You can find them on Amazon or at most local drugstores. I have suffered from osteoarthritis in both of my thumbs for years. And it's gradually getting worse. I have never had any treatment for it other than the thumb braces and they work wonderfully for me most of the time. But I have been experiencing a lot more pain than normal in my right thumb. So I had asked to get a steroid injection into my thumb. I did not get that far though so I can't tell you how that would go.
I also wear a glove splint every night called Fixx glove, fingers open. See example on line. Important to keep thumb in a straight line not curled up as we sleep. It has stopped the pain and rest is always a good start with water therapy and hot wax therapy. I wore just a thumb brace for thumb for rest for a couple of months. See a hand specialist for info for your particular case.
Hi Samantha,
I have had PRP and have been for the last 4 years. Would highly recommend it. You start with three injections two weeks apart for a 6 week period you then go back about 5 months later or when you start to feel your thumbs start hurting again. The injections do hurt but when you get 5 months almost pain free then the 20 seconds it takes for each thumb to be injected is minor. I also take 3 rose hip capsules per day and I find when I miss after a few days I can actually notice the difference.
Thank you Kate for responding. If I’m not mistaken the doctor told me it is $500.00 for both hands for the treatment. He did not tell me there would be multiple treatments. Did you have the treatment done in the US?
No Samantha my treatment was done by a sports medicine doctor in Sydney, Australia. My injections cost $230 for both thumbs for each session and fortunately for us in Australia the Government funds a large percentage of that.
That is awesome! Thank you so much for responding . I may have to move to Australia😊