The doctors recommend a thumb joint surgery to put the bone back to its place the procedure of thumb joint surgery the doctors for a thumb joint surgery removes a tiny bone from the base and rearranges the tendon to create a cushion for the thumb joint the doctors also remove a damaged ligament and replace it with a piece of wrist tendon. Thumb arthroplasty is surgery to replace part or all of the joint at the base of your thumb this joint is where your thumb bone and wrist bone meet how do i prepare for thumb arthroplasty your healthcare provider will talk to you about how to prepare for surgery he may tell you not to eat or drink anything after midnight on the day of your surgery. Pros thumb arthroplasty is a less invasive surgery because there is no grafting with faster recovery and rehabilitation times some implants are placed without removing the trapezium thereby preserving healthy tissue improving strength and providing options if additional procedures are needed. Thumb joint fusion or replacement two more extreme surgery options include a thumb joint fusion or a joint replacement with a thumb joint fusion the affected joint is cut out and the ends of the bones are then fused together into one solid piece of bone even if this one happens to relieve any pain it presents a big problem it eliminates