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Biologics Therapy Treat Carpometacarpal Osteoarthritis
By: Our Medical Team | January 16, 2024
Carpometacarpal osteoarthritis, also known as CMC arthritis, is a condition that causes pain in the hand, specifically in the thumb. Developing osteoarthritis in the hand is very common due to a large amount of stress and repeated use that the hands endure daily.
Arthritis in the thumb is especially common due to the larger range of motion it has compared to the other fingers. While many treatment options involve surgical procedures, mesenchymal biologics therapy provide an alternative option that is less invasive and that can provide superior results.
What is Carpometacarpal Osteoarthritis?
CMC arthritis affects the joint at the base of the thumb where it meets the wrist. This joint is known as the carpometacarpal joint, giving this condition its name. This joint is worked with various activities, such as turning a doorknob, opening up jars or containers, gripping or pinching objects, and many more.
When the CMC joint develops arthritis, it can become swollen, stiff, and tender to use. This can make it difficult to perform the motions we noted above, and it can cause your grip strength to become weaker. In addition to decreased strength, your thumb can also have a limited range of motion due to the swelling in the joint. This swelling can be physically visible, making the base of the thumb appear larger.
“Arthritis becomes increasingly common with age due to general wear and tear. This disease affects the cartilage in joints throughout the body, which is responsible for cushioning movements and permitting smooth joint mobility. Over time, cartilage can begin to break down.” – Dr. Michael Wolff
In the thumb, cartilage is found on the ends of the bones, and when it breaks down, the bones can rub against one another. This can cause discomfort and result in swelling as the surrounding tissues become irritated. If left untreated, the bones can develop spurs, or deformities, which can make the condition much more difficult to treat and cause physical bone deformities.
CMC Arthritis Surgical Treatments
Surgical procedures are some of the most commonly used treatment options for treating CMC arthritis. These can include a joint fusion, osteotomy, or joint replacement. A joint fusion, or arthrodesis, involves permanently connecting the bones in the affected joint. This procedure can reduce pain, but eliminates the ability of the joint to move.
Osteotomies involve repositioning bones that have moved out of place due to bone deformities, and joint replacements utilize tendon grafts in place of the damaged joint, which is removed. However, after these procedures, it can take months more for the thumb to return to normal functioning.
Each of these options generally requires the thumb to be placed in a splint or cast for six weeks or more following the surgery. Physical therapy is often needed following this period to increase the range of motion and regain strength in the hand. Even after splinting and physical therapy, there is always the chance that symptoms may return or that the thumb may not regain its original full range of motion or strength.
The Advantages of Biologics Therapy
Due to the high demand placed on the thumb in daily life, finding a treatment solution that doesn’t involve an invasive procedure that alters the physical appearance of the joint can be very beneficial for the overall function of the thumb following the procedure. Mesenchymal biologics therapy provide a treatment option that allows for this.
Biologics therapy is minimally invasive and uses the body’s own cells to restore cartilage tissue and restore joint function. biologics therapy are most commonly found in the bone marrow and fat cells, and they can be easily extracted. Bone marrow is the most common source for extraction, and it can be easily processed to isolate the biologics therapy.
biologics therapy have the ability to turn into many different types of tissue, one of which is cartilage tissue. These cells can be injected directly into the CMC joint and differentiate into cartilage tissue, helping to rebuild the damaged cartilage tissue and promote original functioning.
One study examined the effectiveness of Biologics treatment in 15 individuals who suffered from CMC arthritis. These participants were evaluated before treatment and a year following the Biologics injection. Researchers noted that pain levels were reduced significantly during the one-year period, both at rest and during activity. Pain levels were generally reduced in half, showing significant improvement.
Thumb range of motion was also significantly improved and thumb opposition, being the ability of the thumb to touch and press into the other fingertips, was improved to nearly full ability. A functionality test to determine difficulty with certain motions was all performed, and scores improved from 51.7 to 23.08.
Biologics therapy provides a minimally invasive treatment option that utilizes the body’s own cells to promote proper healing while avoiding surgery and the long recovery time associated with it.
If you are in the Scottsdale, Arizona area, call Southwest Spine & Sports at 480.860-8998 to schedule your free consultation today to learn more about our Biologics treatments!
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3563889/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5640358/
- https://journals.lww.com/plasreconsurg/Abstract/2004/08000/Surgical_Treatment_of_Osteoarthritis_of_the.19.aspx
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/thumb-arthritis/symptoms-causes/syc-20378339
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/thumb-arthritis/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20378344
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