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The carpometacarpal (CMC) joint is located at the base of the thumb, where the thumb meets the wrist. It plays an important role in hand movement, especially in gripping, pinching, and grasping objects. Because this joint is used constantly in many types of work, injuries to the CMC joint are more common than most people realize, and they can seriously impact your ability to do your job.
CMC injuries often involve either sudden trauma or wear-and-tear over time. Some of the most common types of injuries include CMC joint dislocation, which may happen due to a fall or sudden impact; ligament sprains or tears, which affect the stability of the joint; CMC osteoarthritis, a degenerative condition often caused by repetitive motion or heavy use; and fractures of the first metacarpal, which can damage the structure and function of the joint.
These injuries are particularly common in workers who frequently use their hands, such as mechanics, warehouse workers, healthcare employees, construction workers, nurses and anyone doing repetitive manual tasks.
There are many ways someone can injure their CMC joint at work. These include lifting heavy objects, repetitive gripping or twisting motions, falls, or direct trauma such as getting the hand caught in machinery or slammed in a door. Over time, even everyday tasks like typing, scanning groceries, or using hand tools can cause wear on the joint and lead to chronic injury.
Symptoms of a CMC joint injury may include pain at the base of the thumb, swelling, reduced grip strength, and difficulty pinching or holding objects. The pain may worsen with use or even when resting if the condition is advanced. Treatment can range from rest and splinting to steroid injections, physical therapy, or even surgery in severe cases.
There are several types of serious surgeries for these severe cases. There is a trapeziectomy which removes the trapezium bone at the base of the thumb. With arthroplasty (joint replacement), the damaged joint surfaces are replaced with an artificial implant or soft tissue graft. An arthrodesis (fusion) fuses the bones of the CMC joint together. Ligament Reconstruction and Tendon Interposition (LRTI) reconstructs ligaments with a tendon graft. CMC joint debridement (arthroscopy) removes damaged cartilage and bone fragments.
All of those surgeries sound serious because they are serious. A CMC injury can be a really big deal. If you’ve suffered a CMC joint injury on the job in Illinois, it’s important to speak with a knowledgeable workers’ compensation attorney as soon as possible. Insurance companies may argue that your injury is not work-related, especially if it developed over time or if you have arthritis. They may also downplay the seriousness of the injury or push for a quick settlement that doesn’t fully cover your medical bills, lost wages, or long-term treatment.
We have handled hundreds of CMC cases since 1997 and will do whatever we can to protect you. Please reach out any time if you’d like a free consultation.
