Differential Diagnosis for Shooting Pain of Both Thumb Joints
- Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Osteoarthritis: This is the most common cause of thumb joint pain, especially in older adults. The shooting pain can be due to the degeneration of the joint cartilage and bone-on-bone contact.
- Other Likely Diagnoses
- Rheumatoid Arthritis: An autoimmune disease that can cause inflammation and pain in the thumb joints, leading to shooting pain.
- Trigger Thumb: A condition where the tendon sheath surrounding the thumb tendon becomes inflamed, causing pain and a triggering sensation.
- De Quervain's Tenosynovitis: Inflammation of the tendon sheath on the thumb side of the wrist, which can cause pain and tenderness in the thumb joint.
- Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Septic Arthritis: A bacterial infection of the joint, which can cause severe pain, swelling, and redness. If left untreated, it can lead to joint destruction and permanent damage.
- Gout: A form of arthritis caused by the buildup of uric acid crystals in the joint, which can cause sudden and severe pain.
- Psoriatic Arthritis: An autoimmune disease that can cause inflammation and pain in the thumb joints, and can lead to permanent joint damage if left untreated.
- Rare Diagnoses
- Sarcoidosis: A rare disease that can cause inflammation and pain in the thumb joints, as well as other parts of the body.
- Hemochromatosis: A genetic disorder that can cause iron buildup in the joints, leading to pain and degeneration.
- Tumors: Rarely, tumors such as giant cell tumors or osteoid osteomas can cause pain and swelling in the thumb joints.