Carpometacarpal Osteoarthritis Pain of the Thumb Can Be Relieved by Commercial Beverage Carbonated Water

Figure 2

Treatment of thumb carpometacarpal arthropathy using the commercial beverage, carbonated water. (a) Commercial carbonated water (500 mL). (b) A container made from a 2 L plastic bottle cut in half and filled with carbonated water. The affected hand is immersed in the container in this position for 20 min. CO₂ dissolved in water penetrates the skin percutaneously; therefore, bubbles present on the skin show impeded penetration of CO₂. If there are too many bubbles, then gently remove the hand from the carbonated water, remove the bubbles, and reapply the soak.