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Osteoarthritis of the Thumb

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Disorders of the Hand

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Abstract

The hand is a common site of peripheral joint involvement in osteoarthritis (OA) and, although often underestimated as a cause of disability, the effect on the quality of life, from limitations in performing activities of daily living such as dressing and feeding, may be considerable. One longitudinal radiographic study of 751 patients over a 24 year period, showed that in those without OA at baseline, women had more incident disease than men in almost all hand joints, but the joints most frequently affected were the same in both sexes: the distal interphalangeal (DIP), followed by the base of the thumb, proximal interphalangeal (PIP) and metacarpophalangeal (MP) joints [1]. In another radiographic study of 3,327 men and women between the ages of 40–80+, the DIP joint demonstrated the highest OA prevalence, while the PIP joint showed the lowest. Joint-specific hand OA prevalence rates for the second DIP, third PIP and trapeziometacarpal (TM) joint were 35, 18 and 21 %, respectively. Women demonstrated higher hand OA prevalence rates for the three sites examined [2]. The age adjusted prevalence of CMC arthritis based on radiographic evidence has been reported to be 15 % for the female population and 7 % for the male population [3]. The prevalence increases to 33 % for the postmenopausal female population. This predilection for the thumb axis makes it one of the most expensive and debilitating diseases in terms of cost of diagnosis, treatment and lost productivity.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Hand and Wrist Institute, 2808 Columbia Street, Torrance, CA, 90503, USA

    David J. Slutsky MD

  2. Department of Orthopedics, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA, USA

    David J. Slutsky MD

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  1. David J. Slutsky MD
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Correspondence to David J. Slutsky MD .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Hall Lane, Appley Bridge, Wrightington Hospital, Wigan, Lancashire, United Kingdom

    Ian A. Trail

  2. St George's Hospital, London, United Kingdom

    Andrew N.M. Fleming

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Slutsky, D.J. (2015). Osteoarthritis of the Thumb. In: Trail, I., Fleming, A. (eds) Disorders of the Hand. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-6557-6_5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-6557-6_5

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  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4471-6557-6

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