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Patient Questions  /  Thumb joint pain

Shoulder, Elbow & Hand

Why Does My Thumb Joint Hurt?

Pain at the base of the thumb, near the wrist, is very often thumb arthritis, especially after age 50. Pain along the thumb side of the wrist when you grip or lift may be an irritated tendon called De Quervain's tenosynovitis. A thumb that catches or locks may be trigger thumb. Most of these improve with a brace, activity changes and exercise.

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Common causes

  • Thumb base arthritis. An ache deep at the base of the thumb that is worse with pinching, opening jars or turning keys. It is common in women and in people over 50.
  • De Quervain's tenosynovitis. Pain and swelling along the thumb side of the wrist, often with gripping, lifting a baby or using a phone a lot.
  • Trigger thumb. The thumb clicks, catches or gets stuck when you bend it, often with a tender spot at its base on the palm side.
  • A sprain. After a fall or the thumb being bent back.

Everyday changes that help

  • A ready-made thumb brace or splint, often worn during heavy tasks or at night, helps many people with thumb arthritis or tendon pain.
  • Use tools that ease pinching: jar openers, thicker pens and wider handles.
  • Use your whole hand or both hands to lift, rather than pinching between thumb and fingers.
  • Use heat for stiffness, and ice if the area is swollen after use.

Some people also need a steroid injection or, less often, surgery. Your doctor can talk with you about those options if simpler steps aren't enough.

When to see a doctor

See a doctor promptly if you have:

  • Pain at the base of the thumb or wrist after a fall on your hand, even if it seems mild, which needs an X-ray to rule out a fracture
  • A thumb that looks out of place, or that you can't pinch with after an injury
  • A hot, red, swollen joint, or pain with fever
  • Several swollen, stiff finger joints, especially with long morning stiffness
  • Numbness or tingling in your thumb and fingers

How physical therapy at ARI can help

A physical therapist can check your thumb and wrist, show you ways to protect the joint during daily tasks, advise you on whether a ready-made brace may help, and give you exercises to improve strength and control around the thumb.

At ARI Physical Therapy in Bakersfield, every visit is one-on-one and in person with a licensed physical therapist, and our clinic director, Deepa Konnur, PT, MPT, OCS, is a board-certified Orthopedic Certified Specialist. We accept most private insurance plans and Medicare, and we have staff who speak Spanish and Hindi.

Read our full guide: Hand and wrist pain →

No referral needed to start. In California, you can see a physical therapist directly for up to 12 visits or 45 days, whichever comes first. Some insurance plans still require a referral for coverage; call us at (661) 282-8584 and we'll help you check.

Related questions

Ready to feel better?

Talk to a licensed physical therapist at ARI, one-on-one. Request an evaluation and we'll get back to you, usually within one business day.

Request an EvaluationCall (661) 282-8584

This page is general information, not a diagnosis. If you have symptoms, a licensed clinician should evaluate you.

Clinically reviewed by Deepa Konnur, PT, MPT, OCS, board-certified Orthopedic Certified Specialist · Reviewed October 2026