This is a small cartilage which has a cushioning effect on the outer side of the wrist. It can tear due to forceful trauma to the wrist such as a fall.
The symptom will usually be pain that is felt on the outer side of the wrist, especially on twisting. This can often settle spontaneously but, if troublesome, arthroscopy (which uses a small camera to look inside the wrist) may be required to locate and trim the tear.
Physiotherapy techniques such as ultrasound can help to settle the post-operative pain.
This is a natural wear and tear of the mobile joint at the base of the thumb. Pain tends to be felt on pinching or gripping. The problem can sometimes be helped with specialised splints or an injection.
Otherwise an operation to remove the small bone called the trapezium can prove very effective, followed by physiotherapy to regain movement and settle pain, using ultrasound, massage and specific exercise programmes.
