Recruiting

Testing thumb joint surgery versus placebo surgery for arthritis

Plain-English translation of NCT05127005 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ · Source last updated January 2022 · Translation generated June 2026 · How we translate trials

This study doesn't follow the usual testing phases — it may be an observational study or a different type of research.

What is this trial?

This study is testing whether a surgical procedure called trapeziectomy — the removal of a small bone at the base of the thumb — can relieve pain and improve function better than a sham (fake) surgery. The trial will follow people for up to 5 years and track their pain levels, hand strength, and ability to do everyday activities. Half of the participants will have the real surgery, and half will have the sham procedure, without knowing which one they received.

Arthritis at the base of the thumb causes significant pain and can make it hard to grip, pinch, or perform daily tasks. While trapeziectomy has been used for many years, doctors want to know for certain whether the surgery itself — or simply the expectation of treatment — is what helps patients feel better.

Do you qualify?

You likely qualify if…

you have been diagnosed with arthritis at the base of your thumb (confirmed by X-ray) that is limiting your daily activities
you have tried other treatments (like a thumb brace and pain medication) for at least three months without enough relief
your thumb pain is at least 4 out of 10 on a pain scale
you are over 45 years old
you are in generally good health and able to have surgery safely
you can speak, understand, and read the language used at your study site

You likely don't qualify if…

you have had surgery on your thumbs or upper arms in the past 6 months
you have rheumatoid arthritis or another inflammatory joint disease
you have arthritis in both thumbs and want both treated at the same time
you have had previous surgery on the same thumb joint
your pain is so severe that you cannot do your job at all

What participation looks like

If you enroll, you will be randomly assigned to either receive the trapeziectomy surgery or a sham procedure (a fake surgery where you go under anesthesia but the surgeon does not remove the bone). You will not know which group you are in. After surgery, you will have follow-up visits and questionnaires at 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, and 5 years to measure your pain, hand strength, and how well your thumb is working. The study will help doctors understand whether the actual surgery or the placebo effect is responsible for any improvement you experience.

AI-generated summary from trial data · Jun 3, 2026 · Not medical advice

Trial locations(4 sites)

Finland

Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki

Central Finland Central Hospital, Jyväskylä

Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio

Tampere University Hospital, Tampere