Trapeziectomy

When non-operative treatments have failed to control the pain and the pain is:

• Moderate to severe
• Constant/ all the time
• Affecting sleep
• Stopping you from carrying out activities of daily living

What to expect after your ‘Trapeziectomy’ operation.

Trapeziectomy’s are normally performed as day case surgery under a general anaesthetic or a regional block (where the arm is made numb using an injection).

You will be sent home with dressings or a POP on and be seen by the consultant in 2/52 to remove the dressings.

At this point you may be seen by a hand therapist who will:

• Provide a splint to be worn as protection as your thumb heals
• Give exercises to help you re-gain movement in your thumb
• Give advice on what kind of activity you should/shouldn’t be performing
• Give advice on strengthening your thumb

Things to consider before having a Trapeziectomy:

• Risk of infection through surgery
• Risk of nerve injury/ neuroma. A small nerve running through the region of where the surgeon is operating can be damaged during surgery. It may form a painful spot on / near the scar (a neuroma)
• Rehabilitation can take between 4-12 months
• Results from trapeziectomy vary depending on may different factors i.e the individual, other health problems, severity of arthritis etc.
• 80% of patients experience decrease in pain following surgery, 15% experience little or no change in pain and function and 5% are worse than before they had surgery
• Risk of problematic scar tissue. After the operation there is a risk that you may have problems with scarring including tender/ sensitive scarring. Thick/ hard scarring causing reduced movement
• Risk of problematic scar tissue. After the operation there is a risk that you may have problems with scarring including tender/ sensitive scarring. Thick/ hard scarring causing reduced movement