Lifestyleug

 Degenerative arthritis of the thumb is one of the most common types of hand arthritis. It usually strikes at the base of the thumb where it meets the wrist. This joint, known as the carpometacarpal (CMC) joint, is a highly mobile joint that allows motion in all directions. It is also the joint that allows for a strong pinching motion. However, because of its wide range of mobility, the bones that comprise the CMC joint must give up some stability, similar to the shoulder joint. Because of this , the ligaments around the joint are forced to bear most of the burden of stabilizing the thumb during hand use, and if they are unable to do it effectively then the aberrant motion in the joint over time can contribute to arthritis. Diagnosis The bones of the body at the joint surfaces are covered with cartilage, a slippery coating that allows smooth motion at the joints. Arthritis is an inflammation and eventual wearing away of the cartilage, creating rougher surfaces and painful motion. In

 Arthritis, or rheumatism as it is often called by the lay public, means many things to different people. Essentially, it is inflammation in a joint or many joints resulting in pain , stiffness and swelling. It can be the result of many causes and is not a single, straightforward condition. It may affect one joint or many joints simultaneously in the body. It may merely produce a temporary mild discomfort or a severe pain that gets worse over a period of time resulting in disability or deformity. So common is arthritis that up to 2 5 per cent of all consultations with family doctors are made up of discussions revolving around a patient's rheumatological complaints. There has been a huge increase in the awareness of generalized conditions that can affect the onset and progression of rheumatic diseases, and at the same time there has been a huge rise in the number and complexity of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures that may be used to treat these conditions. Unfortunately, incr