Thumb base osteoarthritis can make simple tasks, like opening jars, turning keys, or writing, unexpectedly painful. A trapeziectomy removes the small arthritic bone at the base of the thumb to reduce pain, restore function and help you move more easily.
It’s a well-established, reliable procedure with excellent long-term outcomes when combined with specialist hand therapy.
Procedure time
60-90 minutes
Anaesthetic
Regional anaesthetic (occasionally general)
Recovery
Light activity from 2 – 3 weeks; full recovery 8 – 12 weeks
Results
Symptoms relief begins as swelling settles; strength improves over several months
Time off Work
2 weeks
Sleeping on back
4 weeks
Removing the arthritic trapezium bone relieves pressure in the joint, reducing the deep, aching pain that affects your grip and everyday hand function.
Most people experience stronger, more stable thumb function with better control during fine movements.
Tasks such as turning keys, opening jars and writing become easier.
Trapeziectomy has consistently high satisfaction rates and gives results that last many years.
With reduced pain and improved movement, many patients feel more secure using their hand for work, hobbies and household activities.
We support you through surgery and beyond
Your consultation is calm, unhurried and focused on understanding how thumb pain affects your daily life. We’ll examine your hand, review your symptoms and previous non-surgical treatments, and may arrange imaging if useful.
You’ll receive a clear explanation of your diagnosis and treatment options, including whether surgery is the right next step.
To prepare safely:
You’ll receive clear written instructions on how to prepare properly for your procedure.
A trapeziectomy is usually performed under regional anaesthetic as a day case.
A small incision is made at the base of the thumb, and the arthritic trapezium bone is removed.
In most cases, a simple trapeziectomy is performed, the gold-standard technique supported by NICE-accredited 2023 BSSH guidance. There are several permutations of this technique. The bespoke treatment will be chosen for you.
A light dressing and splint are applied, and you can go home the same day.
You’ll begin gentle hand movements soon after surgery under guidance from a specialist hand therapist.
Your sutures will be removed at 10 – 14 days, and you’ll gradually begin doing strengthening exercises
Most people return to light activity after 2 – 3 weeks and build back full function by 8 – 12 weeks.
Ongoing hand therapy will support increasing your grip strength, coordination and long-term comfort.
At The Antler Clinic, your care is led by Mr David Izadi, an experienced Consultant Plastic, Reconstructive, Aesthetic and Hand Surgeon known for combining advanced surgical expertise with a calm, honest, and patient-centred approach.
With more than 20 years of experience in plastic and reconstructive surgery, aesthetic surgery, and complex hand surgery, Mr Izadi has trained extensively through both national and international fellowships at internationally recognised centres of excellence. Every consultation begins by understanding your concerns, goals, and expectations, ensuring that treatment recommendations are tailored to your individual needs.
Mr Izadi is widely recognised as a leading specialist in hand surgery and is regularly invited to teach and lecture at national professional meetings as faculty. His expertise spans the treatment of hand and wrist conditions, reconstructive procedures, and advanced surgical techniques.
He holds the Diploma in Hand Surgery, the highest specialist qualification available in this field, reflecting his commitment to excellence and the highest standards of patient care.
Whether you are seeking treatment for a hand condition, reconstructive surgery, or aesthetic concerns, you can expect expert advice, clear communication, and personalised care throughout your journey at The Antler Clinic.
A quick guide to the things most people want to know before and after their procedure.
Most people return to light use of their hand 2 – 3 weeks after a trapeziecotomy. Full recovery, including improved strength and stability, typically takes 8 – 12 weeks, with continued gains over several months.
You can expect significant pain and some swelling for the first few days after your trapeziectomy. These should be manageable with prescribed pain relief. Your discomfort should steadily decrease with time and after the more hand therapy you do.
After a trapeziectomy you can drive once you can comfortably grip the steering wheel, react in an emergency and are no longer using a restrictive splint. This is usually after 4 weeks.
Early arthritis may be managed non-surgically with splinting, hand therapy and steroid injections. Some patients can have joint fusion (arthrodesis) or joint replacement instead, though trapeziectomy remains the most reliable long-term option.
Possible risks include stiffness, residual pain, scar tenderness, nerve sensitivity or persistent weakness. Most of these will improve with hand therapy and time. Revision surgery is rarely needed. Your surgeon will send a comprehensive list of complications to you after your consultation.
A splint is typically worn for the first few weeks after a trapeziectomy to support your healing. We’ll guide you on when to remove it and how to begin safe hand movement.
clear and transparent costs
You will receive a clear quotation setting out the cost of your treatment and what is included before you decide whether to proceed.
A new consultation is charged at £200.
Follow-up consultations are charged at £150, unless the appointment forms part of an agreed surgical package or postoperative follow-up pathway.
Consultation fees are payable regardless of whether surgery is subsequently arranged. A consultation provides assessment, advice and discussion of treatment options; it does not guarantee that surgery will be recommended or offered.
Patients are kindly asked to provide at least three working days’ notice if they need to cancel or rearrange an appointment.
Non-attendance, or cancellation with less than three working days’ notice, will incur a fee of £125. This fee reflects the clinical time reserved for the appointment and the difficulty of offering the appointment to another patient at short notice.
For self-pay patients, surgery is usually provided as a fixed-price package. This is intended to give patients clarity and reassurance about the cost of their planned procedure.
Your written quotation will confirm what is included. In most cases, the package price includes:
Hospital fees for the planned procedure
Surgeon’s fee
Anaesthetist’s fee, where applicable
Standard postoperative follow-up appointments relating to the procedure
Routine aftercare directly related to the planned surgery, as specified in your quotation
Package prices are based on the procedure agreed at the time of booking. If the surgical plan changes, if additional procedures are requested, or if further treatment is required outside the agreed package, additional fees may apply.
Self-pay surgical packages usually include a period of cover for the treatment of complications directly related to the procedure. The exact terms, duration and exclusions of this cover are set by the hospital where your surgery is performed.
Depending on the hospital, complication cover may apply for a defined period, which may be 6 or 12 months. Full details will be provided by the relevant hospital before surgery.
Complication cover is not a guarantee that all future treatment, revision surgery or additional procedures will be provided without charge. Cover may not apply to unrelated medical problems, pre-existing conditions, treatment required outside the hospital’s terms, or surgery requested for aesthetic preference rather than a recognised complication.
In an emergency, patients should seek urgent medical attention through the most appropriate service, including NHS emergency care where necessary.
Every effort is made to achieve the best possible outcome, but no surgical procedure can guarantee a specific result, perfect symmetry, invisible scarring or complete satisfaction. Healing, scarring, swelling and final results vary between individuals.
If revision surgery is required because of a complication, eligibility for cover will depend on the hospital’s package terms and the clinical circumstances.
If surgery has been performed to an appropriate clinical standard, but a patient remains dissatisfied with the aesthetic outcome or wishes to pursue further refinement, any revision or additional surgery will usually incur further charges. These may include hospital fees, surgeon’s fees and anaesthetic fees.
Unless specifically included in your written quotation, additional costs may apply for investigations, scans, specialist opinions, extra procedures, further hospital admissions, prescriptions, dressings, garments, travel, accommodation, time off work or treatment unrelated to the planned surgery.
The written quotation and the hospital’s own terms and conditions will take precedence over any general information provided on this website.
Payment terms, deposits, cancellation policies and refund arrangements are determined by the hospital where your procedure is booked. These will be provided to you before surgery.
Surgery can only proceed once all required payments have been received and all relevant consent, preoperative assessment and hospital requirements have been completed.
To help make treatment more affordable, you may choose to spread the cost of your procedure through a personal medical loan with Chrysalis Finance. Subject to eligibility and approval, Chrysalis offers a range of flexible finance options, allowing you to pay for your treatment in manageable monthly instalments rather than a single upfront payment.
The hospitals we work with offer finance options through Chrysalis Finance. Please contact your chosen hospital directly for further information or to discuss any questions.
Mr Izadi is registered with the private medical insurers shown below. Coverage for consultations and treatment is subject to the terms of your policy and insurers approval.
Get in Touch
A consultation at The Antler Clinic is simply a chance to talk – to ask questions, explore your options, and decide what feels right for you.
You’ll leave with clarity, reassurance, and the same calm support that defines everything we do.
