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Differences in recovery time between trapeziectomy and carpometacarpal joint replacement: meta-analysis
Lauren Y Chong1, Olivia J Hartrick2,3, Chetan Khatri4
1School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
BJS Open
|April 29, 2026
Summary
Carpometacarpal (CMC) joint replacement shows a trend towards faster early recovery for thumb osteoarthritis than trapeziectomy. More research is needed to confirm these findings on hand function and return to work.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic surgery
- Hand surgery
- Musculoskeletal disorders
Background:
- Thumb-base osteoarthritis is a prevalent degenerative condition causing pain and functional loss.
- Trapeziectomy is a common surgical treatment, with carpometacarpal (CMC) joint replacement offering potential for quicker recovery.
- Limited evidence exists comparing recovery outcomes between these two surgical procedures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and compare the recovery timelines and functional outcomes following CMC joint replacement versus trapeziectomy for thumb osteoarthritis.
- To analyze patient-reported outcomes, grip strength, and pinch strength at various follow-up intervals.
- To identify factors influencing recovery, such as implant type and immobilization protocols.
Main Methods:
- A systematic literature review adhering to PRISMA guidelines was conducted.
- Data on Disability of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) scores, grip strength, and key pinch strength were extracted.
- Random-effects meta-analysis was used to pool standardized mean changes (SMC) and plot recovery trends over time.
Main Results:
- Carpometacarpal (CMC) joint replacement demonstrated a trend towards improved DASH scores at 1 month, unlike trapeziectomy.
- At 12 months, CMC joint replacement showed a trend for greater improvement in hand function compared to trapeziectomy.
- Key pinch strength recovery was faster with CMC joint replacement (1.5 months) than trapeziectomy (6 months), though findings had high bias and overlapping confidence intervals.
Conclusions:
- There is a trend suggesting faster early recovery after CMC joint replacement compared to trapeziectomy for thumb osteoarthritis, but evidence is limited.
- Further high-quality randomized clinical trials are necessary to precisely determine the temporal recovery course for both surgical options.
- Frequent capture of patient-reported outcomes in future trials is crucial for robust comparisons.
