Our Recommendation: If your pain is at the base of the thumb and linked to arthritis, osteoarthritis, or joint instability, the Push Ortho Thumb Brace (CMC joint support) is the better fit.
If your pain is in the middle of the thumb and caused by a sports injury, sprain, or ligament strain, f.i. such as skier's thumb or gamekeeper's thumb, the Push Sports Thumb Brace (MP joint support) is designed for that.
Both allow controlled movement rather than full immobilisation, so you keep function while the joint is protected.
You've got thumb pain that's making it hard to type, grip a coffee cup, or hold a ski pole, and you're standing in front of two very similar-looking braces trying to work out which one is actually for you. It's a fair question as both are made by Push, both wrap around the thumb, and neither box tells you much beyond "thumb support."
The difference comes down to where your pain is and why it's happening. Here's how to tell them apart in under two minutes.
Why We Recommend Push Thumb Braces
Push Braces were developed in the Netherlands with input from orthopaedic specialists and hand therapists, and they're built around three ideas that make a real difference day to day.
- First, they target the exact tendon, ligament, or joint that's causing your pain, rather than compressing the whole hand.
- Second, most models are adjustable, so you can wear firmer support early in recovery and ease off as the joint improves.
- Third, they're designed for actual daily use: low-profile enough to fit under clothing or gloves, with breathable materials and straps that are quick to fasten, adjust, and keep clean.
Why Does It Matter Which Joint Is Affected?
Your thumb has two joints that behave very differently, and a brace built for one won't properly support the other.
- The CMC joint sits where the thumb meets the wrist, at the base of the thumb. It's what lets your thumb rotate and oppose your fingers so you can grip and hold things. Because it moves so much, it's the joint most commonly affected by wear-and-tear conditions like osteoarthritis.
- The MP joint sits in the middle of the thumb, where the metacarpal bone meets the phalanges. It's responsible for bending and straightening the thumb, and it's the joint most often injured by a sudden force — a fall, a twist, or a direct impact — as with a torn ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) or RCL (Radial Colleteral Ligamenet)
Pain at the base = CMC joint. Pain in the middle = MP joint. That single distinction points you to the right brace.
Push Ortho Thumb Brace: For CMC Arthritis and Base-of-Thumb Pain
The Push Ortho Thumb Brace is built specifically for the CMC joint and is widely used by hand therapists and surgeons as a first-line support for thumb base arthritis.
Rather than locking the joint in place, it works with your body's own mechanics: as the thenar muscles (the ones at the base of your thumb) contract, they fill the snug-fitting brace and create internal pressure that stabilises the CMC joint from within. Support ramps up exactly when you're using your thumb, and eases off when you're not — so the joint stays supported without the muscles weakening from disuse.
Who it's for:
- CMC arthritis or osteoarthritis at the base of the thumb
- Thumb hypermobility or instability
- Pain or weakness when gripping, pinching, or opening jars
- Anyone who needs support and wants to keep using their hand normally
What makes it work:
- An embedded metal stay that you squeeze to custom-fit the brace to your thumb
- A palmar bar that keeps the brace aligned with the thenar muscles and limits the CMC joint's end range of motion
- Durable, breathable materials made in Europe for all-day wear
- Easy to put on and take off yourself, without needing help from a carer or family member
- Water-resistant, so it can be worn while washing up or in the shower without needing to be removed
What Sizes Does the Push Ortho Thumb Brace Come In?
The Push Ortho Thumb Brace CMC now comes in four sizes (0 to 3), following the addition of a smaller size 0 to accommodate hands as small as 15 cm in circumference. This update was made in response to demand from clinicians and physiotherapists who found the original three-size range didn't fit smaller hands comfortably.
Size 0: is for very small hands, generally below roughly 16 cm
Size 1: is recalibrated to 17.5–19.5 cm (previously 16.5–19.5 cm)
Size 2: is for mid-range hand sizes
Size 3: has been increased by 1 cm to better fit larger hands
Because the size ranges were recalculated when size 0 was introduced, some people who previously wore a size 1 may now get a more comfortable fit in size 0. If your current brace has always felt slightly loose, it's worth remeasuring it against the updated size chart rather than assuming your size hasn't changed.
To make sure you get the correct size the first time, check the size guide for each thumb brace at the top of the page, near the option bar.
Shop the Push Ortho Thumb Brace →
Push Sports Thumb Brace: For Sports Injuries and MP Joint Instability
The Push Sports Thumb Brace targets the MP joint - the middle knuckle of the thumb - and is designed for injury prevention, recovery and chronic joint wear.
Who it's for:
- Skier's thumb: a broken, torn, or overstretched Ulnear Colleteral Ligament (UCL), typically from a fall while skiing or snowboarding. It is an acute injury, that is one of the most common injury. It often occurs when a strong force pulls the thumb outward. F.i. when a ski pole or ball forces the thumb in that direction.
- Gamekeeper's thumb: also known as a Golfer’s Thumb, similar UCL damage caused by repetitive stress overtime. It is a chronic injury from gradual overuse that can also affect ball-sport players like rugby, football, basketball, netball, and hockey where impact injuries are common.
- RCL injuries: damage to the radial collateral ligament (RCL) from a sudden impact or force applied to the thumb or - although less common – through repetitive overuse
- Sprains and strains from impact or repetitive strain
- General thumb instability: a "loose" or unstable feeling at the middle joint
In general, these kinds of thumb injuries can be treated with immobilisation to keep the joint from moving, allowing the ligament to heal.
Which sports can the Push Sport Thumb Brace be used for:
- Racket sports: tennis, padel, pickle ball
- Ball sports: basketball, volleyball, netball, rugby, Australian football
- Skiing, golf, hockey, weightlifting, judo and more
Depending on the severity of the injury, many athletes are able to train and play while wearing the Push Sports Thumb Brace.
What makes it work:
- Stabilises the MP joint while still allowing a natural range of motion
- Lightweight, durable European-made construction built for active use
- Suited to both injury prevention during sport and recovery afterward
Shop the Push Sports Thumb Brace →
Push Ortho vs Push Sports Thumb Brace: Quick Comparison
|
Push Ortho Thumb Brace |
Push Sports Thumb Brace |
|
|
Joint targeted |
CMC joint (base of thumb) |
MP joint (middle of thumb) |
|
Best for |
Arthritis, osteoarthritis, joint instability |
Sports injuries, sprains, ligament tears |
|
Typical conditions |
CMC arthritis, thumb hypermobility |
Skier's thumb, gamekeeper's thumb, RCL injury |
|
How it works |
Pressure builds with muscle contraction to stabilise the joint during use |
Restricts excess movement while allowing natural motion |
|
Best suited to |
Ongoing/chronic joint pain |
Acute injury recovery or injury prevention during activity or sport |
|
Sizing |
4 sizes (0–3), including a smaller size 0 for hands from ~15 cm |
3 sizes for each hand (from 16 to 26cm hand circumference) |
|
Can be worn in water |
Yes |
Can't be worn in water |
How Do I Know Which Thumb Brace I Need?
Ask yourself two quick questions:
Where's the pain? Base of the thumb near the wrist → Push Ortho. Middle of the thumb → Push Sports.
Is this a gradual, ongoing issue or a sudden injury? Gradual and arthritis-related → Push Ortho. Sudden, from a fall or sporting knock → Push Sports.
If you're still unsure, that's completely normal. Thumb pain can be hard to pin down yourself, and the two joints sit close together. A GP, physiotherapist, or hand therapist can confirm exactly which joint is affected and whether a brace is the right first step for your situation.
What Our Customers Say
Feedback on both braces consistently points to the same three things: pain relief, comfort, and getting back the use of the hand.
One customer wearing the Push Ortho Thumb Brace described it as their best brace yet, saying it gave great relief — and found that pairing it with a thin compression glove underneath added extra comfort. Another, who'd been dealing with significant pain around the thenar eminence (the muscular pad at the base of the thumb), called the brace "absolutely amazing" for managing their pain.
A note on layering: wearing a thin compression glove underneath the brace works well for some people, but it does change the fit slightly, so it's worth checking the fit still feels right. As with any brace, it shouldn't cause tingling, numbness, swelling, or increased pain; if it does, stop wearing it and check the fit or speak with your health professional.
A physiotherapist's take on CMC pain
One of the most detailed reviews came from a qualified physiotherapist who bought a Push Ortho Thumb Brace for each hand. They rated it among the best CMC arthritis braces available, and reported that the braces:
- Reduced pain while typing
- Supported their grip
- Stabilised the CMC joints without restricting the surrounding joints
- Felt comfortable against the skin and were easy to clean
- Held up well through frequent handwashing
- Reduced sharp pain at night
- Were easy to adjust even with reduced pinch strength, thanks to the strong hook-and-loop fastening and easy-to-grasp tabs
That last point mattered in practice: being able to loosen the braces while resting and tighten them again before using their hands helped them stay independent day to day. Their one criticism was that optional soft liners and gel comfort pads weren't easy to find, but overall they said they wished they'd bought the braces years earlier.
Conclusion
A thumb brace manages pain and allows movement of the hand, making both sports and daily activities more comfortable.
Gradual return to netball, basketball, football, rugby, tennis or pickle ball combined with targeted support, reduces the risk of new injuries. With the right brace, returning to your favourite sport or daily tasks becomes confident and controlled.
The Push Sorts and Push Ortho offer great benefits – from stabilisation to improved functionality - and allows you to continue using your hand.
Make sure to select the right brace for your condition, the correct size to maximise the benefits. Explore both our thumb braces at BetterCareMarket and regain control over your activities. If you are unsure which brace would suit your needs, we recommend seeking professional advice from a physiotherapist and hand therapist.
Frequently Asked Questions About Thumb Braces
What's the difference between the Push Ortho and Push Sports thumb brace?
The Push Ortho Thumb Brace supports the CMC joint at the base of the thumb and is designed for arthritis and joint instability. The Push Sports Thumb Brace supports the MP joint in the middle of the thumb and is designed for sports injuries like skier's thumb, gamekeeper’s thumb, ligament sprains, and strains.
Can I wear a thumb brace all day?
Both Push braces are designed for extended daily wear, since they allow controlled movement rather than fully immobilising the thumb. That said, wear time can depend on your specific condition, so it's worth checking with a healthcare professional if you're unsure.
Will a thumb brace stop me from using my hand normally?
No. Unlike traditional rigid splints, both the Push Ortho and Push Sports braces are designed to support the joint during movement rather than locking it in place, so you can still grip, type, and perform everyday tasks.
Do I need a diagnosis before buying a thumb brace?
It helps. Knowing whether your pain is at the CMC joint (base) or MP joint (middle) - and whether it's arthritis-related or injury-related - makes it much easier to choose the right brace. If you're not sure, a GP or hand therapist can confirm this quickly.
Can a thumb brace be used for skier's thumb?
Yes. The Push Sports Thumb Brace is specifically designed to support the MP joint and thumb UCL, making it suitable for skier's thumb and gamekeeper's thumb, both during recovery and as prevention for future injury.
Does the Push Ortho Thumb Brace come in a size for small hands?
Yes. A smaller size 0 was added to the Push Ortho Thumb Brace CMC range to fit hands from around 15 cm in circumference. This also meant the other size ranges were recalibrated, so if you currently wear a size 1, it's worth checking the updated size chart — some people find a more comfortable fit in size 0.
Can I wear the Push Ortho Thumb Brace in water?
Yes. The Push Ortho Thumb Brace CMC is designed to be water-resistant, so it can be worn while washing dishes or showering without needing to be removed.
