• Innovative thumb joint surgery helping to transform lives
• Thumb Carpometacarpal Joint (CMCJ) replacement aims to reduce pain and improve movement
• Eight people have received the new procedure at Royal Bolton Hospital since March 2024

People in Bolton are seeing their lives transformed thanks to innovative thumb replacement surgery at Royal Bolton Hospital.

Thumb Carpometacarpal Joint (CMCJ) replacement, a relatively new procedure in the UK, aims to reduce pain in the hand and improve movement and grip in the hand.

The operation is typically used for people experiencing arthritis in the base of the thumb by replacing the joint with an artificial joint.

Eight people have received the surgery in Bolton since the procedure was first carried out in March 2024.

Jamie A’Court, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon at Bolton NHS Foundation Trust, said:

The artificial replacements are the start of a revolution in joint surgery and a game-changer for patients in how they not only reduce pain but also maintain function of the hand.

“Many of our patients who experience arthritis in the thumb are still active and want to continue with sport, gym activities and play instruments. This operation is helping with that and not only maintaining quality of life, but also improving it.

“We’re incredibly proud of the work that is taking place here at Royal Bolton to innovate with new surgeries that can transform the lives of people living in and around Bolton.

Traditional surgery for arthritis in the thumb removed the joint to relieve pain, which whilst reduced pain could also reduce movement and grip strength.

Shelia Smith, 74, from Bolton received the traditional surgery in her right hand in 2022 years ago, and in May 2024 was among the first to receive the new, innovative surgery providing an artificial joint.

Sheila said before the operation life was starting to become more and more difficult:

I have quite bad arthritis in my hands and I wasn’t able to use my left thumb anymore. I couldn’t create a grip and I was starting to drop things.

“This surgery has changed my life as it’s given me more range of movement and I’m able use my left hand with day to day activities.

“The difference between the two surgeries is quite immense as I have a much greater use of my left hand, compared to my right hand which had the other surgery a few years ago.

“I was really pleased with how my physio progressed. I never thought I would be able to do the things I can do. I had lots of support from the physio teams who showed pictures of the surgery I had done and they were really encouraging throughout my recovery.

Surgery time can average between 60 to 90 minutes and patients are discharged to return to the comfort of home on the same day.

Bolton NHS Foundation Trust’s Hand Therapy Unit support patients after surgery for approximately twelve weeks with rehabilitation that includes sprints, monitoring and movement exercises.

Hannah Mulligan, Highly Specialist Hand Physiotherapist at the Trust, said:

The Hand Therapy department are involved in the majority of their post-operative rehabilitation, from completing their initial wound care, custom fabricating splints and completing their follow-up rehab to work towards function and their individual goals.

“Patients have shared a positive experience, achieving their goals of reduced pain and return to function. This new technique, in comparison to previous techniques, is allowing patients an opportunity for improved range of movement, function and quality of life which is of particular importance to those who unfortunately develop arthritis at a younger age.