Pain At The Base Of Your Thumb: Common Causes And What To Do

Why Does The Base Of My Thumb Hurt?

Pain at the base of the thumb can make surprisingly simple tasks feel difficult.

Opening jars, turning keys, carrying shopping bags, lifting children, using a phone, or even gripping a coffee cup can become uncomfortable.

Many people initially assume they have simply overused their hand. However, if symptoms continue to return or gradually worsen, there may be an underlying cause worth investigating.

At Sydney Physio Clinic in Sydney CBD, we regularly assess people experiencing pain at the base of the thumb. While the symptoms may feel similar, the contributing factors can vary significantly between individuals.

Where Is The Base Of The Thumb?

The base of the thumb refers to the area where the thumb joins the wrist.

This region contains several joints, tendons, ligaments, and muscles that work together to allow gripping, pinching, lifting, and fine hand movements.

Because the thumb is involved in so many daily activities, this area is exposed to substantial loading throughout the day.

When irritation develops, even simple tasks can become uncomfortable.

Common Causes Of Pain At The Base Of The Thumb

Several conditions may contribute to pain in this area.

Two of the most common include:

• Thumb osteoarthritis (thumb OA)
• De Quervain’s tendinopathy

However, other factors such as overuse, sporting activities, previous injuries, or joint irritation may also play a role.

This is why assessment is often important before assuming the cause.

Thumb Osteoarthritis

Thumb osteoarthritis commonly affects the joint at the base of the thumb.

It becomes more common with age and often develops gradually over time.

People with thumb OA frequently report:

• Pain opening jars
• Pain turning keys
• Difficulty gripping objects
• Aching after prolonged hand use
• Reduced strength
• Morning stiffness

Research suggests that thumb osteoarthritis is one of the most common forms of hand osteoarthritis and can significantly affect grip strength and hand function.

Fortunately, physiotherapy, exercise, activity modification, and appropriate support strategies may help many people remain active and comfortable.

De Quervain’s Tendinopathy

De Quervain’s involves irritation of two thumb tendons as they travel along the thumb side of the wrist.

Unlike thumb arthritis, symptoms are often more noticeable with thumb movements and lifting activities.

People commonly report:

• Pain lifting children
• Pain holding a phone
• Pain gripping gym equipment
• Pain when twisting objects
• Tenderness near the thumb side of the wrist

New parents, office workers, and people who perform repetitive gripping activities commonly experience these symptoms.

Could My Work Be Contributing?

For many Sydney CBD workers, repetitive hand and thumb use forms part of everyday life.

Activities that may contribute include:

• Computer mouse use
• Typing
• Frequent phone use
• Writing
• Manual handling tasks

Work itself is rarely the sole cause, but it may contribute to symptom development when combined with other factors.

Can Exercise Cause Thumb Pain?

Yes.

Gym training, Pilates, yoga, racquet sports, golf, and lifting exercises can all place significant demands on the thumb and wrist.

Exercises requiring strong gripping or weight-bearing through the hands may sometimes aggravate symptoms.

However, this does not necessarily mean exercise should be stopped completely.

In many cases, temporary modifications allow people to remain active while symptoms settle.

When Should You Seek Assessment?

Occasional thumb discomfort may settle with simple modifications.

However, it may be worth seeking assessment if:

• Symptoms keep returning
• Grip strength is declining
• Pain is affecting work
• Opening jars or bottles becomes difficult
• You are avoiding activities because of pain
• Symptoms are gradually worsening

How Can Physiotherapy Help?

At Sydney Physio Clinic, assessment focuses on identifying what may be contributing to symptoms rather than simply treating pain.

This may include assessment of:

• Thumb joint movement
• Grip strength
• Thumb tendon function
• Hand and wrist mobility
• Work and activity demands
• Exercise habits
• Appropriate splint prescription 

Management may include exercise, load modification, strengthening programs, activity advice, and strategies to help reduce irritation while maintaining function.

What Does Research Say?

Research supports exercise and education as important components of managing many thumb conditions, including thumb osteoarthritis. Modern treatment approaches increasingly focus on improving function and maintaining activity levels rather than prolonged rest.

Similarly, tendinopathies often respond well to appropriately graded loading programs designed to improve tendon capacity over time.

FAQs About Pain At The Base Of The Thumb

Why does the base of my thumb hurt when I grip things?

This may occur due to thumb osteoarthritis, tendon irritation, joint irritation, or overuse of the thumb and wrist structures.

What is the most common cause of pain at the base of the thumb?

Thumb osteoarthritis and De Quervain’s tendinopathy are among the most common causes.

Can typing cause thumb pain?

Repetitive computer and phone use may contribute to symptoms, particularly when combined with other loading factors.

Should I stop exercising if my thumb hurts?

Not necessarily. Many people can continue exercising with temporary modifications while addressing the underlying issue.

When should I see a physiotherapist?

If symptoms are persistent, recurring, or affecting daily activities, physiotherapy assessment may be beneficial.

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