Osteoarthritis (OA) at the base of the thumb is a common diagnosis among older individuals. Research suggests that 26.2% of women and 13.4 % of men age 71-100 years old have symptoms of this diagnosis and that approximately 70% of community dwelling individuals with hand pain have OA at the base of the thumb as well.
An orthosis is a common intervention used in hand therapy to treat symptoms of this diagnosis. Studies have consistently found that using an orthosis helps to decrease pain and improve function for individuals with arthritis at the base of the thumb.
