Which surgery best eases thumb arthritis pain? a Head-to-Head test
NCT ID NCT04210687
First seen Aug 10, 2026 · Last updated Aug 11, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This trial compares two surgical procedures for people with painful thumb base osteoarthritis that hasn't improved with conservative care. One procedure removes the entire trapezium bone, while the other removes only a small portion to create a narrow gap. The study will track pain during activity and hand function over five years to see which approach offers better, longer-lasting relief.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Two surgical procedures: trapeziectomy (removal of the trapezium bone) and trapeziometacarpal limited excision (removal of a smaller portion of bone to create a narrow gap)
- What this could lead to
- If one procedure proves better, it could guide surgeons toward a more effective, less invasive option for thumb osteoarthritis, improving pain relief and hand function for many patients.
- What could go wrong
- This is a relatively small trial, and results may not apply to all patients. Surgery carries risks like infection, nerve damage, or persistent pain, and one procedure may not be clearly superior.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Karolinska Institutet
Stockholm, S-11883, Sweden
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