The term arthritis refers to more than 100 different conditions that affect the areas in and around your joints. Many women experience arthritis pain in one particular area of their hands.

Dr. Dennis Sagini is an orthopedic surgeon with Lee Memorial Health System. He says, “Arthritis at the base of the thumb is a very, very, common problem we typically see this in women who are over 40.” Because your thumb has a wide range of motion, there is a higher chance of the area being affected by arthritis. “The joints in your fingers can flex and extend however the base of your thumb can flex and extend. It can come forward to you and push away. Excessive motion allows for more damage to the cartilage. The reason I think we see it more in women is because women’s joints are significantly more flexible,” says Dr. Sagini.

When joint or ligaments are damaged or stretched at the base of the thumb, every day activities can become difficult and painful. “That is the joint that allows you to oppose your thumb, turn a key, open a door and write so when this joint develops arthritis it’s very debilitating for people.”

Dr. Sagini adds that many patients with thumb arthritis respond well to anti-inflammatory medications or steroid injections. You could also opt for joint replacement surgery. “It’s almost like a total knee replacement or a total hip replacement but in a much smaller joint,” he says. Patients can also try to treat the arthritis by wearing protective braces around the thumb.