Thumb arthritis (CMC) workarounds - Bike Forums (2025)

Telkwa

Join Date: Jun 2008

Posts: 176

OK, so there's a sub-thread now, let's see if it's working. What have folks done to keep riding with CMC osteoarthritis? BTW, CMC stands for "carpometacarpal", the joint at the base of the thumb. CMC is the most common thumb arthritis, so there are braces built specifically for the ailment.

I don't have a lot to contribute right now because I just bought two bikes after a long spell of no biking at all. I'm trying better grips, cutting the bar width down, different seats, etc.

One thing I've found - you can throw lots of money at grips but moving the handlebar up in the air and transferring weight from the hands to the seat may be the most effective move.

If you've got a few minutes, check out HandLabs. I bought a Push MetaGrip CMC brace from them. It's a tiny piece of plastic that looks like it doesn't do anything but is very effective.

I have some wrist pain too, so I'm ordering the Push Wrist Brace Splint. It looks like the Splint can be worn over the MetaGrip. I'll report back.

OK, this gets a little confusing, but the Wrist Brace Splint is less restrictive than the Wrist Brace. I have a Wrist Brace. The Wrist Brace has hard stiffeners on the back side, which dig into my hand when I'm on the bike. The Splint is probably the better choice but I won't know until it gets here.

GadgetGirlIL

Join Date: Sep 2017

Location: Lisle, IL

Posts: 408

Bikes: 2003 Litespeed Vortex, 2017 All-City Mr. Pink, ~1997 Trek Multitrack 700

Sasquatch16

Join Date: Sep 2012

Location: South Eastern PA

Posts: 199

shelbyfv

Join Date: Jun 2007

Location: TN

Posts: 12,586

metalheart44

Join Date: Sep 2010

Location: The Northwoods, Wisconsin

Posts: 705

Bikes: Holland Exogrid & Holland HC

Likes: 0

This is the solution the hand doc offered me. I hope it works for you, keep us posted on your recovery and how or if it affects hand use. I have tried using gloves and they only help some....

Sasquatch16

Join Date: Sep 2012

Location: South Eastern PA

Posts: 199

Went on my first outside ride this morning since surgery in November. Had carpal tunnel surgery in both hands at the same time. No tingling or numbness in hands and thumb felt great. Only regret I have is that I waited this long.
If you can live with the down time it is well worth it.

Telkwa

Join Date: Jun 2008

Posts: 176

It's helpful to hear from others. I appreciate it. I've been told that surgery is considered "last resort". They want you to try everything - braces, cortisone, etc. - before going in and pulling out the bone. Good to hear that the surgery worked!

Turmeric seems to be widely accepted. I've been seeing a physical therapist for the thumb. She has arthritis too. She takes some sort of turmeric extract and believes in it.

I got the push Wrist Splint the other day. Sure enough, it can be worn right over the MetaGrip. I haven't been able to test the combination on a long enough ride to really say for sure. Just a couple of short tests. But if your wrist hurts, and your thumb pain is indeed CMC, and the damage isn't so bad that you're past splints and braces, then the MetaGrip/Wrist Splint combo might help. I don't know about tearing up the single-track. I'm guessing many of us have already scaled back our expectations.

The push products aren't cheap. But I've tried several off-the-shelf drug store braces. The push products are a cut above.

Those of you with carpal tunnel - did it take a doctor to diagnose for sure? It looks like there are a couple of simple DIY tests that should give one an idea.

EDIT: Yes, I am somewhat squeamish, and there's no way I'm gonna watch that procedure on YouTube!

Last edited by Telkwa; 01-28-18 at 07:55 PM.

Telkwa

Join Date: Jun 2008

Posts: 176

UPDATE: ERGON GRIPS

Hey, I've got an update. Something that most people probably wouldn't realize. Recently I bought Ergon grips for both of my bikes. Bought 'em online. The Ergons come in Large and Small. My hands are at least average for a 6' tall guy, if not larger. So of course I ordered the Large.

Then I ordered Small for my wife.

The Small arrived today. Here's the thing. The Large grips are the same length as the Small. The big padded part is the same. The only difference between the two is the Small is thinner than the Large where your thumb goes.

If you've got CMC like I do, chances are anything that gets down into the crook of your thumb and spreads the joint hurts. For instance, I tried pulling in a clutch on a motorcycle a year or two ago. Won't do that again.

If you're trying to address CMC pain, and you're willing to shell out the bucks for the Ergon grips, get the Small, not the Large. I wish someone had told me that before I bought two sets of Large.

lyle.coop

Join Date: Jul 2021

Location: NYC

Posts: 163

Bikes: Canyon Ultimate CF SL Disc, Canyon Spectral

I got diagnosed with CMC Thumb Arthritis in both hands a month ago. 51 y/o male & I work in construction. Road biker and Mountain biker for 20 years.

The doctor gave me Hely Weber CMC Braces. I also got a script for Meloxicam. I've been taking it daily on work days. Link to brace.

I've heard good things about the Push MetaGrips. Do the MetaGrips fit your over road bike gloves or mountain bike gloves?

Thank you!

Last edited by lyle.coop; 03-09-25 at 10:00 AM.

79pmooney

Join Date: Oct 2014

Location: Portland, OR

Posts: 13,746

Bikes: (2) ti TiCycles, 2007 w/ triple and 2011 fixed, 1979 Peter Mooney, ~1983 Trek 420 now fixed and ~1973 Raleigh Carlton Competition gravel grinder

Be aware you just answered a 7 year old thread. But thank you for resurrecting it. In two weeks I go to a hand specialist for my right thumb/index finger and left index. I broke my thumb nearly 50 years ago in a bike crash, cannot now open my hand fully, gripping and twisting jar lids hurts big time and I have what feels like arthritis. Left hand is far better but I have my index lock up sometimes playing music. It's happened on stage.

When I know more, I may well be back.

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