Patient profile · Conditions
Thumb base (CMC) arthritis
Your thumb base hurts when you pinch, open jars, or turn keys.
Pain at the base of the thumb during pinch, jar opening, and key turning. Joint protection, thumb stability, and graded isometrics.
Hands tired from a specific job? Browse hand-heavy job shortcuts on the patient hub.
Education-only job paths — not job-site clearance.
Typical load pattern for this profile: Pinch / thumb-load patterns · Guided exercise library
Who it fits
People this profile usually fits
- Pain and weakness at the thumb base
- Pinch tasks reproduce pain
- Often gradual onset, often after age 40
- Dental hygiene, lab tech, nail desk, or esthetics work that repeats thumb pinch and fine torque
What recovery often looks like
Phases and themes
- Joint protection: larger handles, two-handed lifting, splint if helpful.
- Low-load isometrics for thenar stability.
- Avoid forceful pinch with the joint collapsed.
How the plan adapts
Defaults and safety rails for this profile
- Prefers low-load isometrics over heavy pinch.
- Adds adaptive equipment and joint protection education.
- Holds strength when CMC pain spikes.
Guided library
Exercises commonly tied to this profile’s diagnoses
From the in-app catalog for education — not an individualized prescription. Skip moves your clinician has ruled out.
Flares, workload & warnings
How HandTherapy.app adapts logic for this profile
- Workload: joint-protection cues appear when pain is elevated on intake.
Use Flare-up mode after a rough session and Safety for daily readiness pacing.
Condition programs
Regimen hubs that often pair with this profile
Structured education tracks — not a substitute for your clinician's protocol. Open a hub to read phases and equipment ideas.
Sources