Overview
Trapeziectomy is a surgical procedure used to treat severe arthritis or chronic pain at the base of the thumb, where the trapezium bone (one of the small wrist bones) meets the thumb. This joint, called the carpometacarpal (CMC) joint, is critical for thumb movement and grip. When arthritis severely damages this joint, daily activities such as writing, opening jars, or buttoning clothes can become very painful.
In Korea, trapeziectomy is widely available in specialized orthopedic and hand surgery centers. Korean hospitals utilize advanced surgical methods, including ligament reconstruction and tendon interposition (LRTI), to restore thumb strength, relieve pain, and improve hand function.
What is Trapeziectomy?
A trapeziectomy involves removing the trapezium bone at the base of the thumb to relieve pain caused by arthritis or joint damage. Sometimes, additional procedures like ligament reconstruction or tendon interposition are performed to stabilize the joint.
Conditions treated with trapeziectomy include:
- Thumb carpometacarpal (CMC) joint arthritis
- Severe thumb pain unresponsive to medications or splints
- Loss of grip strength and thumb mobility
- Deformity of the base of the thumb due to arthritis
What are the Benefits?
✅ Effective long-term relief from thumb arthritis pain
✅ Restores thumb mobility and improves grip strength
✅ Minimally invasive options available in Korea
✅ High success rates and fast rehabilitation with modern surgical techniques
Procedure Details
1) How should I prepare for trapeziectomy?
- ✦ Full medical evaluation, including X-rays or MRI of the hand
- ➤ Stop blood-thinning medications if advised by your doctor
- ✦ Wear loose clothing and arrange help for daily tasks after surgery
- ➤ Most patients are admitted for day surgery or a short hospital stay in Korea
2) What happens during the procedure?
- ✦ Performed under regional (arm block) or general anesthesia
- ➤ A small incision is made at the base of the thumb
- ✦ The trapezium bone is carefully removed
- ➤ In many cases, the surgeon performs LRTI, using a tendon from the wrist to reconstruct the ligament and fill the empty space
- ✦ The incision is closed, and the hand is placed in a cast or splint
- ➤ Procedure duration: 1–2 hours
3) What happens after the procedure?
- ✦ Hospital stay: Usually outpatient or 1-day admission
- ➤ A cast or splint is worn for 4–6 weeks
- ✦ Stitches are removed after 10–14 days
- ➤ Hand therapy begins after initial healing to restore movement and strength
- ✦ Full recovery may take 3–6 months, with steady improvement over time
Risks / Benefits
Possible Risks:
- Infection or bleeding
- Nerve injury causing numbness or tingling
- Persistent pain or stiffness
- Loss of grip strength (rare in advanced centers)
- Scar tissue formation
Benefits:
- Significant pain reduction
- Improved thumb mobility and grip strength
- Long-lasting solution for CMC arthritis
- In Korea, modern surgical techniques and intensive rehabilitation improve outcomes further
Recovery and Outlook
- ✦ Splint/cast for the first 4–6 weeks
- ➤ Physiotherapy begins afterward for thumb strengthening
- ✦ Most patients return to light activities in 6–8 weeks
- ➤ Full grip strength may take up to 6 months to recover
- ✦ In Korea, hospitals offer specialized hand rehabilitation programs, speeding up recovery and ensuring better outcomes
When To Call the Doctor
⚠ Excessive swelling, redness, or pus at the surgical site
⚠ Severe pain not relieved by medications
⚠ Loss of thumb movement or persistent numbness
⚠ Fever or signs of infection
Best Korea Option / Process
Korean hospitals are well-known for hand and orthopedic surgery, offering:
- ✦ Highly experienced hand surgeons specializing in thumb arthritis
- ➤ Minimally invasive approaches with smaller incisions
- ✦ Availability of LRTI and implant-assisted procedures
- ➤ Advanced hand rehabilitation centers with physiotherapists
- ✦ Affordable treatment packages, including surgery, splinting, and rehab care
- ➤ English-language support for international patients
Highlights of Trapeziectomy in Korea
- ✅ Reliable surgical solution for severe thumb arthritis
- ➤ Minimally invasive techniques available
- ✅ Improved thumb mobility and grip
- ➤ Specialized post-operative rehabilitation programs
- ✅ High success rates with skilled Korean hand surgeons
