Clinical Trials

Overview

About this study

The carpometacarpal (CMC) joint of the thumb, which is the joint at the base of the thumb, is one of the most common areas in the hand where arthritis develops.  CMC arthritis of the thumb can lead to pain, limited range of motion, and decreased ability to grip and pinch objects.  Initial treatment of CMC joint arthritis typically consists of nonsurgical measures including splinting, oral anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs), topical anti-inflammatory creams, and steroid injections. If the patient's symptoms do not improve with these measures, various surgical operations are commonly used to treat CMC arthritis. Each of these surgical methods requires extensive recovery time following surgery, hand therapy, and significant time away from work.  With the goal of providing patients with a less invasive procedure that reliably improves pain relief and allows patients to return to work and activities more quickly with minimal rehabilitation after surgery, the senior author has begun to perform a relatively new surgical procedure called the thumb partial CMC denervation procedure.  The goal of this research is to determine the outcomes of patients who undergo the thumb partial CMC denervation procedure.  Specifically, we will be examining whether they experience significant pain relief, if they are better able to use their thumb and hand after this operation, and the complications that may occur following this operation.

Participation eligibility

Participant eligibility includes age, gender, type and stage of disease, and previous treatments or health concerns. Guidelines differ from study to study, and identify who can or cannot participate. There is no guarantee that every individual who qualifies and wants to participate in a trial will be enrolled. Contact the study team to discuss study eligibility and potential participation.

Participating Mayo Clinic locations

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