Modern thumb arthritis
treatment
Thumb arthritis does not have to mean living with pain. Ms Razo offers a streamlined pathway to modern thumb joint replacement. The first such service available to Northern Ireland patients, with assessment and rehabilitation in Belfast.
What thumb arthritis
feels like
The carpometacarpal (CMC) joint at the base of the thumb takes heavy load with every grip, pinch and turn. When arthritis develops here, those everyday tasks become painful.
How Hand Therapy
treats thumb arthritis
Many patients with thumb arthritis improve significantly with specialist Hand Therapy alone.
The right treatment at the right time can reduce pain, restore function and delays or avoids the need for surgery.
Clinical assessment
Thorough evaluation of your thumb, grip strength, pain levels and functional limitations to build a clear picture of your condition.
Specialty supports and custom splinting
Specialty supports and custom thermoplastic splints designed to support the CMC joint, reduce pain and improve hand function during daily tasks.
Targeted exercise
A personalised programme of strengthening and mobility exercises to maintain joint function and hand strength.
Joint protection advice
Practical strategies for adapting how you use your hands to reduce stress on the thumb joint during everyday activities.
Pain management
Techniques to manage pain and inflammation including manual therapy and activity modification.
Imaging referrals
X-rays and further imaging arranged locally through private imaging centres, often within 24 to 48 hours.
Modern thumb
joint replacement
When the arthritis has progressed beyond what non-operative treatment can manage, modern thumb joint replacement (also known as CMC arthroplasty) offers an alternative that is not available in Northern Ireland.
If you have been told trapeziectomy is your only option, an assessment with Ms Razo can clarify whether modern thumb joint replacement is a viable alternative for you.
Mr Zaf Naqui, Consultant Hand and Wrist Surgeon and FESSH President 2026-2029, explains how modern thumb joint replacement works.
Joint replacement vs
traditional trapeziectomy
Trapeziectomy has a strong long-term evidence base and remains the right surgical choice for many patients. Modern joint replacement takes a different approach that suits a specific group of patients, preserving the joint anatomy rather than removing the bone. An assessment will help clarify which option fits your situation.
Trapeziectomy
Bone removal surgery
- Removes the trapezium bone entirely
- Relies on scar tissue or a tendon sling to fill the gap
- Can result in thumb shortening
- Prolonged recovery period
- Some loss of grip strength
Joint Replacement
CMC arthroplasty · TOUCH prosthesis
- Replaces only the worn joint surface
- Preserves anatomy and thumb length
- Restores grip strength
- Faster, more predictable recovery
- Growing clinical evidence
The Belfast-to-Manchester
joint replacement pathway
Ms Razo handles every stage of the pathway in Belfast, from initial assessment through to full post-operative rehabilitation. Only the surgery itself takes place in Manchester.
A clinical assessment at her Belfast clinic, typically 60 minutes. Ms Razo examines the thumb as well as the overall picture. Will take measurements of your function and review any imaging you bring with you. You leave with a clear picture of your condition, the non-operative options still open to you and whether thumb joint replacement is a realistic next step. No decisions are made on the spot.
Where appropriate, a structured course of specialist Hand Therapy. Specialist supports or splints, targeted exercise and joint protection. Many patients improve significantly at this stage.
If surgery is the right option, Ms Razo refers directly to Mr Naqui. You can also contact his practice directly.
Thumb joint replacement at his practice in Manchester. Surgery and fees arranged directly with Mr Naqui's team.
Full post-operative Hand Therapy in Belfast. Specialist support or a custom splint, graded exercise, scar and oedema management leading to a functional recovery. No travel back to Manchester.
Interested in thumb joint replacement?
Ms Razo works directly with Mr Naqui to offer patients in Northern Ireland a streamlined process. Local assessment, fast imaging, direct surgical referral and all rehabilitation in Belfast.
Mr Zaf Naqui, FESSH President
Mr Naqui specialises exclusively in conditions of the hand and wrist with over 25 years of surgical experience. His election as President of the Federation of European Societies for Hand Surgery (FESSH) reflects both his surgical expertise and his standing within the international hand surgery community.
His particular focus on thumb joint replacement has positioned him as one of the UK's leading practitioners of this procedure. Mr Naqui has been at the forefront of adopting modern CMC joint arthroplasty techniques, delivering outcomes that preserve anatomy and restore function where traditional bone-removal surgery cannot.
- Over 25 years exclusively in hand and wrist surgery
- Practises in Manchester and Cheshire
- Recognised by AXA, BUPA, Vitality, WPA, Nuffield and Aviva
Ms Michelle Razo CHT
Ms Razo is Belfast's only Certified Hand Therapist (CHT). She provides expert assessment, diagnosis and treatment for thumb arthritis, including non-operative management and onward referral for an X-ray, injections or surgery when needed.
- Clinical assessment, diagnosis and imaging referrals
- Specialty supports, custom splinting, exercise and joint protection advice
- Pain management and swelling control
- Full post-operative rehabilitation if surgery is needed
- Recognised by BUPA and H3
What recovery
actually looks like
A patient shares their experience of modern thumb joint replacement.
Common questions about
thumb joint replacement
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Yes. Many patients with thumb arthritis improve significantly with specialist Hand Therapy alone. Custom splinting, targeted exercise, joint protection strategies and pain management can reduce symptoms and improve function. Ms Razo will always trial non-operative treatment where appropriate before considering a surgical referral.
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Cortisone injections can provide temporary relief, but do not address the underlying joint damage. If injections are no longer effective, it may indicate the arthritis has progressed beyond what non-operative treatment alone can manage. Ms Razo can assess where you are and advise on the right next step, whether that is a different therapy approach or a surgical opinion.
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CMC joint replacement (first carpometacarpal joint arthroplasty) is a modern surgical procedure that replaces the worn joint surface at the base of the thumb with a prosthetic implant. Mr Naqui uses the TOUCH prosthesis, a dual-mobility implant designed to mimic the natural movement of the thumb. Unlike the traditional trapeziectomy, which removes the trapezium bone entirely, joint replacement preserves the anatomy. Doing so maintains thumb length and restores grip strength.
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Thumb joint replacement is not currently performed in Northern Ireland. Ms Razo works with Mr Zaf Naqui, Consultant Hand and Wrist Surgeon and FESSH President, to offer patients a route to this procedure with surgery in Manchester and all rehabilitation in Belfast.
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No. You can contact Ms Razo directly for an initial assessment. No GP or specialist referral is needed.
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Rehabilitation after thumb joint replacement includes splinting to protect the joint, swelling management, scar therapy, graded exercises to restore movement and strength plus joint protection education. Ms Razo manages the full programme in Belfast.
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Most patients are back to light daily activities within 2 to 4 weeks, with grip and pinch strength continuing to improve over at least 3 months. Modern joint replacement typically offers a faster and more predictable recovery than traditional trapeziectomy, with no thumb shortening including earlier return of pinch and grip strength. Recovery depends on the individual and the structured rehabilitation programme that follows surgery.
Clinically reviewed May 2026 by Ms Michelle Razo CHT, Consultant Hand Therapist
Book a thumb arthritis
consultation
Whether you need non-operative treatment or want to explore surgical options, the first step is an assessment. No referral needed.