Surgery for Thumb Base Osteoarthritis: Joint Replacement vs. Trapeziectomy (NCT07569549) | Clinical Trial Compass
RecruitingNot Applicable
Surgery for Thumb Base Osteoarthritis: Joint Replacement vs. Trapeziectomy
Sweden84 participantsStarted 2026-07-01
Plain-language summary
The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if the surgical method with total joint arthroplasty, (TOUCH joint prosthesis), is as good as or better than the traditional surgical method, trapezectomy, to treat thumb base joint osteoarthritis.
The main questions it aims to answer are:
Does surgery with total joint arthroplasty provide better power grip and pinch grip strength compared to traditional surgery?
What is the long-term risk of complications for both methods?
Which method is more cost-effective for the healthcare system?
Researchers will compare total joint arthroplasty (TOUCH) to trapezectomy (a procedure where a bone in the thumb base is removed) to see which method provides the best results for the patient.
Participants will:
Be randomized to undergo either an operation with total joint arthroplasty or a trapezectomy.
Undergo an initial evaluation and a health economic cost analysis after one year.
Attend follow-up checkups at 2, 5, and 10 years post-surgery to evaluate long-term function and the durability of the prosthesis.
Who can participate
Age range
40 Years – 80 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Age 40-80 years at inclusion
* CMC-joint osteoarthritis grade 1-3 (Eaton-Littler classification)
* Rest pain or pain reducing hand function with indication for surgery
* Insufficient relief from non-operative treatment for ≥3 months (orthosis, OTC analgesics, cortisone injection)
* Eligible for both prosthesis and trapezectomy per including surgeon
* Non-smoker or complete smoking cessation ≥6 weeks prior to surgery
Exclusion Criteria:
* Previous surgery to thumb base or STT-joint
* Ongoing chronic pain condition
* Dementia or cognitive impairment
* Trapezium height \<7 mm on plain radiograph
* Active smoker
* Osteoarthritis grade 4 (Eaton-Littler)
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1This trial compares joint replacement to trapeziectomy for thumb base arthritis — can you explain what each of those surgeries actually involves, and which one you'd currently recommend for my specific situation?
2Since this trial is listed as 'not yet recruiting,' do you know when it might open and whether it would even make sense for me to wait before deciding on surgery?
3The trial is measuring hand grip strength as its main outcome — does that align with what matters most to me, like pinch strength or reducing pain during daily tasks?
4This trial doesn't appear to have a standard phase designation, which can sometimes mean it's a comparative effectiveness study rather than a safety or dose-finding study — can you help me understand what that means for what's already known about the risks of both procedures?
5Are there established, non-trial surgical options I should consider now, or does participating in this kind of study offer any meaningful advantages in terms of the care or follow-up I'd receive?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.