Which Thumb Arthritis Treatment Works Best: Surgery or Injections?

If you have pain at the base of your thumb, you may be wondering which treatment works best. Should you consider surgery or injections? A recent scientific review looked at many studies to find out.

This article explains what doctors found when they compared different treatments for thumb arthritis. We will use simple words to help you understand your options.

Here are three important things this research shows:

• Many surgical treatments work equally well for thumb arthritis
• Special injections called platelet rich plasma may work better than steroid shots
• The simplest surgery still gives good results over time

What Is Thumb Arthritis?

Thumb arthritis happens at the base of your thumb. This is where a small bone called the trapezium meets your thumb bone. Doctors call this the CMC joint.

When this joint wears down over time, the bones rub together. This causes pain, swelling, and trouble gripping things. Many people find it hard to open jars or turn keys.

You may be wondering why this matters. Understanding where the problem is helps you make sense of the treatments doctors offer.

What Did Researchers Study?

According to this study, researchers looked at medical databases from the very beginning until April 2024. They searched for studies that compared different treatments for thumb arthritis.

They only included studies that followed patients for at least 12 months. This means one full year. Following patients for this long helps doctors see if treatments really work over time.

Research shows that seventeen studies with 1,166 thumbs met their standards. Fourteen studies looked at different surgeries. Three studies looked at different types of injections.

The researchers also checked how good each study was. Five studies were very well done with low risk of mistakes. Eight studies were okay. Four studies had some problems that might affect the results.

What Did They Find About Surgery?

Here is where it gets interesting. The researchers compared many different surgical treatments.

How Do Different Surgeries Compare?

Doctors use several types of surgery for thumb arthritis. Let us look at what they found.

Studies indicate that trapeziectomy worked just as well as arthroplasty for helping thumbs work better. Arthroplasty means replacing the joint with artificial parts or your own tissue.

According to medical evidence, there was no difference in pain or function between trapeziectomy and arthrodesis. But arthrodesis had more problems after surgery. This means more patients had complications.

The studies also compared taking out part of the trapezium bone versus taking out the whole bone. They found no difference in how strong the thumb grip was afterward.

Which Surgery Is Best?

Research shows that no single surgery was better than the others. Each type worked well for different patients.

The simplest surgery, trapeziectomy, has been used for many years. It gives good results that last a long time. It also has fewer side effects than some other surgeries.

This is good news. It means you and your doctor have several good options to choose from.

What Did They Find About Injections?

Not everyone needs surgery right away. Many people try injections first. These are shots put directly into the painful joint.

What Types of Injections Did They Study?

The researchers looked at different types of injections. The two main types were corticosteroid injections and platelet rich plasma injections.

Which Injection Worked Better?

Let us look closer at what the studies found. Platelet rich plasma injections worked better than steroid shots in three important ways.

First, they reduced pain more. Second, they helped thumbs work better. Third, patients were happier with the results.

This is exciting news for people who want to avoid surgery. Platelet rich plasma may give you more relief than traditional steroid shots.

What Does This Mean for You?

You may be wondering how this research helps you. Here are the main points to remember.

If you need surgery, you have several good choices. No single surgery is the clear winner. Your doctor can help you pick the one that fits your life best.

Trapeziectomy is still a solid choice. It is simple, works well over time, and has fewer problems than some other surgeries.

If you want to try injections first, platelet rich plasma might work better than steroid shots. Talk to your doctor about whether this option is right for you.

According to research published in the Journal of Hand Surgery Global Online, these findings come from careful review of many studies. This gives you confidence that the information is based on solid science.

Common Questions

What Should You Remember?

If you have thumb arthritis, you have good treatment options. Surgery works well, and there are several types to choose from. No single surgery is clearly the best.

If you want to avoid surgery, platelet rich plasma injections may help more than steroid shots. They can reduce pain and help your thumb work better.

Talk with your doctor about what matters most to you. Do you want the simplest surgery? Do you want to try injections first? Your doctor can guide you based on this research and your personal needs.

Remember, treatment for thumb arthritis has come a long way. Many people find relief and get back to activities they love.

Important Information

This article is for educational purposes only. It is not medical advice. Every person is different. What works for one person may not work for another.

Always talk with your doctor before making decisions about your health. Your doctor knows your medical history and can give you personal advice.

If you have severe thumb pain or trouble using your hand, see a doctor soon. Early treatment often works better than waiting.

Scientific Source

This article is based on research by Bhat, Saiuj; Weeda, Lewis; Seth, Ishith; Rozen, Warren M. published in 2025.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhsg.2024.12.005