Options tailored to your thumb
A careful assessment of your symptoms, examination and imaging helps identify the most appropriate treatment, which may not be surgery.
Thumb CMC joint replacement · TOUCH prosthesis · Manchester
Thumb joint replacement.
Life, back in
your hands.
Specialist assessment and surgical treatment for thumb-base arthritis, including modern TOUCH dual-mobility joint replacement. Care led by Mr Zaf Naqui, Consultant Hand & Wrist Surgeon, in Manchester.
No GP referral requiredSelf-pay consultations and surgeryUK and overseas enquiries welcome
Everyday moments. Extraordinary importance.
25+ yearsSurgical experience
Extensive experienceTOUCH thumb joint replacement
Hand & wristDedicated specialist practice
Manchester, UKUK and overseas enquiries welcome
A small joint. A life-changing difference.
Your thumb does so much.
It shouldn’t hurt to use it.
Opening a jar. Turning a key. Holding someone’s hand. Thumb-base arthritis can make simple activities painful. Treatment ranges from splints, hand therapy and injections to surgery where appropriate. For selected patients, modern thumb joint replacement may be one option.
Understand your thumb painModern joint replacement
For suitable patients, an implant may offer an alternative to trapeziectomy, with distinct benefits, risks and recovery considerations.
Coordinated recovery
Surgical care and specialist hand therapy work together throughout your treatment and rehabilitation.
Modern thumb joint replacement
Understanding TOUCH arthroplasty.
TOUCH is a dual-mobility implant used to replace the arthritic joint at the base of the thumb, the carpometacarpal (CMC) joint, in selected patients. It preserves the trapezium bone rather than removing it. Mr Naqui has substantial experience with this technique as part of his wider practice in thumb arthritis and reconstruction.
Joint replacement is not right for everyone: suitability depends on examination, imaging, bone and joint condition, functional goals and a discussion of alternatives.
Watch & listen
Thumb replacement,
in focus.
Explore thumb arthritis treatment and joint replacement with Mr Zaf Naqui, and hear a patient describe their experience.
Thumb arthritis: treatment options and joint replacement
Mr Zaf Naqui explains thumb-base arthritis, non-operative treatment and modern thumb CMC joint replacement.
Watch on YouTubeA patient’s experience of thumb joint replacement
A patient of Mr Naqui describes their experience of thumb joint replacement. Experiences are individual, not a typical or guaranteed result.
Watch on YouTubeVideos from Mr Naqui’s practice website. Patient experiences are individual, not a typical or guaranteed result. Surgery has risks and is not suitable for everyone; discuss your options with your surgeon. Playing a video connects to YouTube, which may collect data.
Specialist expertise in thumb arthritis and reconstruction
Mr Zaf Naqui.
Consultant Hand & Wrist Surgeon.
FRCS (Tr. & Orth.) · Manchester, UK
Mr Naqui treats only the hand and wrist, nothing else. He has extensive experience in thumb-base arthritis surgery, including TOUCH joint replacement, and offers patients an individual assessment of non-surgical and surgical options.
His approach combines careful decision-making, established reconstructive skills and coordinated specialist hand therapy.
25+Years of surgical experience
Hand & wristDedicated specialist practice
Patient experiences
In their words.
Excerpts from independent reviews left by patients of Mr Naqui who had thumb joint replacement.
★★★★★
“Being the proud owner of bilateral thumb joint replacements has for me been transformational. I had lost a lot of strength when using my hands which has now returned.”
★★★★★
“He took the time to thoroughly explain the condition of my thumb joint and the benefits of touch arthroplasty as a treatment option… I am now able to perform daily tasks without the pain and stiffness that previously limited my activities.”
★★★★★
“He explained the procedure in full and I was nervous but also excited to hopefully get rid of this pain… I was discharged by Sarah 6 weeks following each operation and never looked back.”
Reviews are individual experiences, shortened for length and quoted from iWantGreatCare. They are not a typical or guaranteed result; recovery and outcomes vary from person to person.
Surgical education and professional activity
Teaching thumb reconstruction
and arthroplasty to surgeons.
Alongside his clinical practice, Mr Naqui teaches thumb reconstruction and arthroplasty to surgeons in the UK and internationally. A selection of scheduled and recent activity:
View teaching and professional activity- Scheduled
Arthritis of the thumb
FESSH Academy Course
Málaga - Scheduled
Thumb replacement training
BSSH Cadaveric Workshop
Edinburgh - Recent
TOUCH replacement — an option before trapeziectomy?
Ukraine Annual Hand Society Meeting
Lviv, Ukraine
Source: Mr Naqui’s teaching log. Scheduled dates and programmes may change.
Clarity at every step
Your journey back
to doing what you love.
No pressure. No one-size-fits-all approach. Just clear advice, a plan made for you, and support from your first conversation to your recovery, wherever you are travelling from.
01
Specialist assessment
We review your symptoms, previous treatment and relevant imaging, then discuss the available options.
02
A personalised plan
Where surgery is appropriate, we explain the procedure, risks, alternatives, expected recovery and likely costs.
03
Surgery in Manchester
Eligible patients can access planned thumb surgery through an agreed hospital pathway.
04
Recovery and follow-up
Your care includes a clear rehabilitation plan with specialist hand therapy and arrangements for follow-up, including for patients travelling from further afield.
Travelling to Manchester for thumb surgery
Patients from across the UK and overseas.
Patients from across the UK and overseas are welcome to enquire about specialist assessment and treatment. Our team can explain what information is helpful before your visit, how consultations and imaging are arranged, where surgery may take place and what follow-up and hand therapy will be required.
Travel and recovery plans are agreed individually; some patients will need to remain locally for a period after surgery.
Self-pay thumb surgery
Clear information before you decide.
Private consultations and surgical treatment are available on a self-pay basis. After assessment, patients considering surgery can receive an individual quotation explaining the proposed procedure, hospital and professional fees, and what is included in routine follow-up and rehabilitation.
Treatment recommendations are based on clinical suitability, not payment method.
A little reassurance
Good questions. Clear answers.
Is thumb joint replacement right for me?
It may be an option if arthritis at the base of your thumb continues to cause pain and limit everyday activities despite non-operative treatment. Your examination, X-rays, bone quality, activity levels and personal goals help Mr Naqui assess whether replacement or another treatment is right for you.
How is it different from a trapeziectomy?
A trapeziectomy removes the trapezium bone at the base of the thumb. Joint replacement instead replaces the worn joint surfaces with an implant, aiming to preserve the thumb’s length and movement. Both have benefits and risks; your surgeon will discuss the evidence and suitability of each.
How long does recovery take?
Recovery varies with the operation, your general health, the demands of work and everyday activities, and your rehabilitation. Light activities may resume earlier than heavier gripping, lifting or sport. Mr Naqui and your hand therapist will provide a personalised plan, including advice on driving and returning to work.