Physios: Please save your Thumbs from OA!

Physios: Please save your Thumbs from OA!

Reference:Snodgrass S, Rivett D 2002 Thumb pain in physiotherapists: potential risk factors and proposed prevention strategies. The journal of Manual & Manipulative Therapy 10(4); 206-217

Pain due to OA and hypermobility of the thumb is the second most common disabling work-related injury for Physical Therapists.

91% of PTs with thumb pain reported they had to change or abandon certain treatment techniques because of their thumbs.
So if you are in your 30?s and 40?s and think your thumbs are invincible, think twice!
Thumbs are not designed to be weight bearing joints and that?s how some PTs treat them as!

Potential risk factors for thumb pain & OA include:

1) Poor manual therapy techniques

2) CMC & MCP joint hypermobility

3) Insufficient strength of the abductor pollicis longus (APL) muscle

HOW CAN YOU MINIMIZE YOUR RISK OF DEVELOPING THUMB OA?

1) During mobilizations, keep the thumbs vertical instead of angled

2) Use the pisiform instead

3) Avoid mobs using the thumbs period!? if your thumbs are generally hypermobile

4) Keep your hands strong, especially the APL

Posted on: March 16, 2003

Categories: Wrist & Hand