If you have thumb pain from arthritis at the base of your thumb, you may be wondering if surgery can help. Many people worry about the recovery and whether they will be able to use their hand again. This article explains a study that looked at a specific kind of surgery for thumb arthritis, also called rhizarthrosis. The surgery removes a small bone and uses special anchors and stitches to help your thumb stay strong.
Key Findings at a Glance
- Patients had much less pain after surgery, with an average pain score of only 1.6 out of 10.
- Thumb movement and opposition (the ability to touch your thumb to your fingers) improved after the surgery.
- People returned to daily activities in about 21 days and to work in about 101 days.
- The surgery had a low risk of problems and helped improve hand function significantly.
- This technique used bone anchors and a strong non-absorbable stitch to support the thumb after removing the trapezium bone.
Here are three key points from the research:
- The surgery helped reduce pain and improve thumb function.
- Patients recovered quickly and got back to daily tasks within weeks.
- The method used special anchors to hold the thumb in place after removing the damaged bone.
What is rhizarthrosis and why does it hurt?
Rhizarthrosis is the medical name for arthritis at the base of the thumb. It happens in the joint where your thumb connects to your wrist. This joint is called the carpometacarpal joint, or CMC joint for short. When the cartilage in this joint wears away, the bones rub together. This rubbing causes pain, swelling, and stiffness.
You may be wondering why this matters. When the trapezium bone is damaged, it can make everyday activities painful. Simple tasks like opening a jar, turning a key, or writing can hurt. That is why surgery can help.
What did the study do?
According to this study published in the Revista Iberoamericana de Cirugía de la Mano in 2018, doctors looked at 15 patients with thumb arthritis. The average age of these patients was about 60 years old. Most of them had severe arthritis, rated as type III on a scale that doctors use. One patient had type II arthritis, which is a bit less severe.
Here is where it gets interesting. The doctors performed a surgery that removed the trapezium bone completely. This is called a trapeziectomy. Then they used a special technique to keep the thumb stable. They used two small bone anchors, which are like tiny screws, and a strong stitch called Ethibond. This stitch does not dissolve over time. It stays in place to hold the thumb in the right position.
How did the doctors measure success?
The doctors checked several things before and after surgery. They looked at:
- How much pain the patients felt.
- How far the patients could move their thumb.
- How well the patients could touch their thumb to their other fingers (called opposition).
- How strong their grip was.
- How well the patients could use their arm and hand in daily life.
They also took X-rays to see how the bones looked after surgery. The doctors measured the space between the first metacarpal bone (the long bone in your thumb) and the scaphoid bone (a small bone in your wrist).
What were the results?
Research shows that patients felt much better after the surgery. The average follow-up time was about 21 and a half months. That means doctors checked on the patients for almost two years after surgery.
Did the pain go away?
Yes. Patients reported an average pain score of only 1.6 on a scale from 0 to 10. Zero means no pain at all, and 10 means the worst pain imaginable. A score of 1.6 is very low. That means most patients had little to no pain after healing.
Could patients move their thumb better?
The study found that thumb movement improved slightly. Before surgery, patients could move their thumb outward (called radial abduction) an average of about 59.73 degrees. After surgery, this improved to about 61.67 degrees. That is a small improvement, but every bit helps.
More importantly, patients could oppose their thumb better. Opposition means touching your thumb to your other fingers. This movement is very important for gripping and holding things.
Did hand function improve?
According to the study, there was a significant improvement in how well patients could use their arm and hand. The doctors used a questionnaire called Quick DASH to measure this. DASH stands for Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand. A lower score on this test means better function. Patients scored much better after surgery, meaning they could do more activities without trouble.
| Measurement | Result |
|---|---|
| Average pain score (0 to 10 scale) | 1.6 |
| Thumb abduction before surgery | 59.73 degrees |
| Thumb abduction after surgery | 61.67 degrees |
| Proximal migration (bone movement) | About 50% |
What about the bones on X-ray?
Let us look closer. On X-rays, the doctors noticed that the first metacarpal bone moved closer to the scaphoid bone. This is called proximal migration. It means the thumb bone shifted upward by about 50%. This sounds like a lot, but it did not cause problems for the patients. They still had good function and little pain.
How fast did people recover?
One of the most important questions for anyone considering surgery is how long recovery takes. This study provides clear answers.
Patients returned to basic daily activities in an average of about 21 days. That is just three weeks. These activities include things like eating, dressing, and personal care.
For more practical tasks, like light housework or hobbies, it took about 25 days on average. That is less than a month.
Returning to work took longer. On average, patients went back to their jobs in about 101 days. That is a little over three months. The time varied depending on what kind of work each person did. Jobs that require heavy use of the hands took longer.
The study also found no connection between the type of job a person had and whether they got thumb arthritis. That means the disease can affect anyone, no matter what work they do.
Were there any problems or complications?
According to the study, the surgery had a low risk of complications. The researchers did not report any major problems. This is good news. It suggests that this technique is safe when done by trained surgeons.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is trapeziectomy and suspension plasty?
Trapeziectomy is the removal of the trapezium bone at the base of the thumb. Suspension plasty is a technique that uses anchors and stitches to hold the thumb in a stable position after the bone is removed. Together, these procedures help reduce pain and improve thumb function.
How long does it take to heal after this surgery?
Most patients in this study returned to daily activities in about three weeks. More demanding tasks took about a month. Returning to work took around three months on average, depending on the type of work.
Will my thumb be weaker after surgery?
The study showed that patients had improved function and opposition after surgery. While some bone movement occurred, it did not affect the patients’ ability to use their hand. Most people were able to grip and hold objects well after recovery.
Is this surgery safe?
According to the research, this surgery has a low risk of complications. The study did not report major problems. However, all surgeries carry some risk, so it is important to talk with your doctor about your specific situation.
Conclusion
This study shows that trapeziectomy with suspension plasty using bone anchors and a non-absorbable suture can be very effective for treating thumb arthritis. Patients experienced much less pain, better thumb movement, and improved hand function. Recovery was relatively fast, with most people returning to daily activities within weeks.
If you are living with thumb pain from arthritis, this research offers hope. It shows that surgery can help you get back to the activities you enjoy. Of course, every person is different. Talk with your doctor to find out if this type of surgery is right for you.
About this site: We simplify medical science for people dealing with thumb pain and rhizarthrosis. Every article is based only on published scientific research. We break down complex studies into plain language so you can make informed decisions about your health. Explore more articles on our site to learn about treatments, diagnosis, and living well with thumb arthritis.
Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only. It is not medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making decisions about surgery or treatment for thumb arthritis or any other medical condition. The information here is based on a single research study and may not apply to every person.
Article Citation
Study reference: Ribak, S., de Carvalho, G., & de Oliveira, R. (2018). Plastia de suspensión usando usando anclajes y suturas no absorbibles para rizartrosis. Revista Iberoamericana de Cirugía de la Mano.