Do you have pain in your thumb or arthritis at the base of your thumb, called rhizarthrosis? You are not alone. Lots of people have this and it can make daily tasks hard and painful.
One recent study looked at two common surgeries for rhizarthrosis: pyrolytic carbon prostheses and ligament reconstruction. Here is what they found:
- Patients who had ligament reconstruction felt less pain after surgery.
- The prosthesis group had lower functionality scores overall.
- Prostheses sometimes need to be removed.
Let us look at the details.
What is in this article?
What is rhizarthrosis?
Rhizarthrosis means arthritis at the base of your thumb where it meets the wrist. The joint is called the carpometacarpal joint. When this joint has arthritis, you may feel pain, stiffness, and trouble grabbing or pinching things.
You may feel this pain when opening jars, turning door knobs, or holding your phone. It is common as people grow older, and doctors often use surgery when other options fail.
What did the study look at?
The study followed 32 patients with rhizarthrosis. They had surgery to ease thumb pain and improve function between 2009 and 2013. Researchers grouped them by their treatment:
- Group 1: Patients received a pyrolytic carbon prosthesis (PyroDisk). This is an artificial implant made of strong, lightweight carbon, placed in the joint to help it move better.
- Group 2: Patients had their ligaments rebuilt or repositioned (called ligament resection/suspension/reconstruction). Ligaments are tough, stretchy bands that hold your bones together.
They checked the patients in 2015, about three years after surgery, to track pain, function, and movement. They also took X-rays and CT scans (special imaging pictures that look at your bones) to see what changes happened inside the joint.
What did the study find?
Here is where it gets interesting: The results showed some important differences between the two treatments.
| Category | PyroDisk Prosthesis | Ligament Reconstruction |
|---|---|---|
| Average Functionality Score (Quick-Dash) | 31.14 | 15.81 |
| Pain Level | Higher | Lower |
| Joint Movement | No difference | No difference |
| Implant Removal | 6 cases | 0 cases |
The prosthesis group had worse pain and lower functionality (based on a survey called Quick-Dash) than the ligament reconstruction group. Both treatments gave patients similar thumb mobility. However, six prostheses needed removing, which means some patients had additional surgeries.
Why does this matter?
You may be wondering why this matters. If your doctor has suggested surgery for thumb arthritis, knowing the options could help you make a smarter decision. Not every treatment works the same for everyone, and side effects like implant removal can affect your plans.
FAQs about rhizarthrosis
- What is rhizarthrosis?
- It’s arthritis in the base joint of your thumb, causing pain, stiffness, and difficulty with hand movements.
- What are the differences between PyroDisk and ligament reconstruction?
- PyroDisk is a carbon implant inside the joint, while ligament reconstruction rebuilds your natural thumb ligaments.
- Which treatment is better for thumb pain?
- The study found ligament reconstruction led to less pain than the PyroDisk prosthesis.
- Can prostheses be removed?
- Yes, in some cases, the PyroDisk prosthesis may need to be taken out if it does not work well.
Conclusion and next steps
This study compared two treatments for rhizarthrosis and found that ligament reconstruction might offer better pain relief and functionality. If thumb pain or arthritis affects your daily life, talk to your doctor about this study’s findings.
Here at our site, we simplify medical science for people who want clear, trustworthy information about their thumb conditions. We use only published research to ensure accuracy. Feel free to explore more content to learn about other treatments or diagnoses.
Disclaimer
This article is for information only and does not replace medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider for proper treatment options suited to your situation.
Study citation: Cuenca-Llavall, M.; Lizano-Diez, X.; Cruz-Sanchez, M.; Cebamanos-Celma, J.; Pidemunt-Moli, G., 2018.