What is the trapezium scaphoid?
Sarah Smith
Published Jan 09, 2026
The trapezium sits up against two other bones in your wrist, the scaphoid and trapezoid bones. Together these three bones form the Scapho-Trapezio-Trapezoid Joint (STT joint or STTJ). This joint can also be involved with arthritis, or rarely can be affected in isolation.The trapezium sits up against two other bones in your wrist, the scaphoid and trapezoid bones. Together these three bones form the Scapho- Trapezio The trapezium is an irregular-shaped carpal bone found within the hand. The trapezium is found within the distal row of carpal bones, and is directly adjacent to the metacarpal bone of the thumb. On its ulnar surface are found the trapezoid and scaphoid bones. › wiki › Trapezium_(bone)
Where is the scaphoid trapezium?
The trapezium is found within the distal row of carpal bones, and is directly adjacent to the metacarpal bone of the thumb. On its ulnar surface are found the trapezoid and scaphoid bones.
What does the trapezium bone do?
Due to the location of the trapezium below the thumb joint, the trapezium plays a role in both the stability and the movement of the thumb. The trapezium also touches two other bones in the wrist joint, the scaphoid and trapezoid bones.
What is a trapezium fracture?
Trapezium fractures account for 3% to 5% of all carpal fractures. 29. Fractures of this bone occur most commonly with a fall on a hyperextended and radially deviated wrist with the thumb in abduction. Clinically, there is point tenderness at the base of the thumb.
Why would you need a Trapeziectomy?
A trapeziectomy is excellent at removing the pain of the arthritis, and with a reduction in pain, you will notice an increase in grip and pinch strength and overall function.
36 related questions foundIs a Trapeziectomy painful?
Will I be in pain? It is not uncommon for you to have some pain after a trapeziectomy. This pain may last up to six months after surgery. A splint should help reduce your pain, but if it carries on please discuss this with your consultant surgeon or GP who may advise you on medicines to help.
How long do I wear sling for after Trapeziectomy?
6-8 weeks post-surgery: Splint can be worn only at night. Full movement may be regained and you may be able to drive.
How easy is it to break the trapezium bone?
Abstract. Fractures of the trapezium are rare and easily missed. As these injuries are often imperceptible on plain radiographs, diagnosis in the ED setting is challenging.
What does a fractured trapezium feel like?
Patients with trapezoid fractures may complain of point tenderness at the base of the second metacarpal, pain with range of motion at the second metacarpophalangeal joint, or pain and tenderness at the anatomic snuffbox. Patients may or may not have dorsal wrist swelling and decreased range of motion at the wrist.
Is it easy to break your trapezium?
The trapezium is rarely injured, representing about 4 percent of all carpal fractures [1-6]. When present, trapezium fractures often occur in association with other injuries, most commonly fracture of the first (thumb) metacarpal followed by other carpal bone injuries and the distal radius [7].
Why does my trapezium hurt?
Basal joint arthritis is one injury that is common to the trapezium/first metacarpal joint. It causes pain at the base of the thumb, particularly during pinching or gripping. It also results in weakness when pinching. This joint appears to be particularly prone to wear and tear from normal use of the hand.
What muscles attach to the trapezium?
- lumbrical muscles (hand)
- interossei. dorsal interossei muscles (hand) palmar interossei muscles (hand)
What type of bone is the trapezium?
Definition: What is the Trapezium Bone
The trapezium (Latin: Os trapezium) is one of the eight carpal bones in the human hand, classified as a short bone as all other wrist bones. The angularly shaped four-sided bone resembles and gets its name from the geometric shape trapezium.
What does Trapeziectomy mean?
(a) Trapeziectomy
This is the most common form of surgery and involves a complete removal of the trapezium. Some surgeons fill the gap left by the removed bone using a piece of tendon from your wrist. To fill the space left, you may be given an artificial metal and plastic joint, or a silicone rubber spacer.
What type of bone is the trapezoid?
The trapezoid bone (lesser multangular bone) is a carpal bone in tetrapods, including humans. It is the smallest bone in the distal row of carpal bones that give structure to the palm of the hand.
Can you move your wrist with a scaphoid fracture?
A scaphoid fracture that is correctly treated soon after the injury will take about 12 weeks to heel. But an untreated fracture may take as long as six months to recover from. Untreated patients will also usually experience long-term problems moving their wrist or other complications (see below).
Is a scaphoid fracture serious?
Scaphoid fractures are a type of broken wrist. They happen when you break your scaphoid bone — a small bone near the base of your thumb. You might need surgery, but even if you do, you should make a full recovery.
Can you drive with a scaphoid fracture?
You should avoid heavy tasks with your injured hand for six weeks. You can return to driving once your cast has been removed and you feel confident to do so. This is usually after six weeks.
Can you dislocate your trapezium?
Trapezium dislocation is associated with first metacarpal dislocation. Ligaments attaching the trapezium are very strong. Therefore, isolated dislocation is very rare and results only from severe direct force. Dislocations are mostly volar and, in some cases, dorsal.
Can you break your trapezoid in your hand?
Isolated fractures of the trapezoid are rare. Of all of the fractures of the carpus, the most common is the scaphoid, which represents 68.2% of all carpal fractures (Papp, Orthop Clin N Am 38:251–60, 2007). In contrast, trapezoid fractures represent 0.4% of all carpal injuries.
How do I know if I broke my trapezium?
A Robert's AP view, with the hand in full pronation, is a good way of visualising the trapezium on plain radiographs. If the diagnosis is still in question Computerised Tomography or bone scintigraphy is recommended [2]. It is important to determine the stability of the joint before treatment.
Do you need a cast after thumb surgery?
The surgery is typically performed on an outpatient basis, and you will go home the same day. After surgery, your thumb will be placed in a cast for three to four weeks, followed by a plastic splint for four to six weeks. Typically, it takes between six and eight weeks to regain full movement in your thumb.
What is the cost of a Trapeziectomy?
Trapeziectomy/hematoma distraction arthroplasty had lower average cost (US $4157) compared with that of LRTI (US $4446, P = 0.06) However, THDA had a significant positive trend in cost, increasing 14% in 4 years.
What happens during a Trapeziectomy?
The operation usually takes an hour to 90 minutes. Your surgeon will make a small cut on the back of your hand at the base of your thumb, and remove the trapezium. Your surgeon may construct a ligament to connect the thumb to your wrist using a tendon that runs over the trapezium.