Originally Posted by
headwind15
If what you really have is arthritis, you have to understand that the discomfort that you are experiencing is where the protective cover in the thumb joint is warn out, and the pain that you are experiencing is from your bones rubbing on each other. Physical therapy will only make it worse. Bad idea. My right thumb has really gotten worse in the last few weeks, and am planning to schedule for surgery (soon), for that one. (bummer) I have to strap the thumb, so I don't even use it at this point. I have to ride a flat bar road bike, and use my index finger to shift (instead of my thumb). Braking with the right hand - forget it.
Sorry to hear about the troubles you are having. I have been diagnosed with osteo arthritis. Not the only joint either. My hips, the left in particular have it also. Was diagnosed for the hips 10 years ago in my mid forties. The discomfort seemed to increase with the decrease in training due to being busy with work and kids! I do a lot more exercises and gym prescribed by my physio as well as plenty of riding and at least the hip issue is manageable. I was hoping to achieve something similar with the thumb (though my physio is not an expert in that area so I'll have to go elsewhere).
We have just come out of lockdown here and so I've just returned to the gym after a break. I did notice that the one group of muscles which were sore a day or so after after the gym were those in my left hand (where my thumb issue is) and so I'm thinking the lack of muscle strength there may have made the thumb worse.