Could a thumb joint prosthesis ease your rhizarthrosis pain?

If you have thumb pain or thumb arthritis, particularly caused by rhizarthrosis (a type of arthritis in the thumb joint where it meets the wrist), you might wonder if there are better alternatives to surgery like trapeziectomy, which removes a bone. This study shares exciting findings about the Rubis II prosthesis, a small artificial joint for the base of the thumb. Here’s what you need to know:

89% of these prostheses stayed in great condition over 10 years.
70% of patients with this prosthesis felt no pain at all.
Almost all patients—98%—were happy with their results.

Let’s explore what this study found and why it matters.

What is the Rubis II prosthesis?

A prosthesis is a medical device that replaces a damaged body part. The Rubis II prosthesis is made to replace the thumb joint where your thumb connects to your wrist. This joint is important for many of the ways we use our hands, like gripping, pinching, or writing.

Rhizarthrosis can make this joint stiff, weak, and painful, especially when you’re trying tasks like opening jars or texting. For some people, a special prosthesis like the Rubis II might help give strength back and relieve pain.

What does the study say?

Between 1997 and 2008, a group of doctors implanted this prosthesis 253 times in 199 patients. Later, they followed up with 115 of these prostheses to see how well they were working.

Outcome	Result
Prostheses survived 10 years	89%
Prostheses with no pain	70%
Patient satisfaction	98%

Here’s the exciting part: the prostheses helped patients regain hand strength comparable to their non-operated thumb. Imagine gripping tools or pulling on your coat without thinking about pain!

How do pain and satisfaction look long-term?

Of the 115 people followed up, most had a great experience. While 70% felt no pain in their thumb, the rest reported mild or occasional discomfort. This is still much better than living with constant pain from arthritis.

You may be wondering—were there any issues? A few patients (11 out of 115) needed revision surgery to fix loose prostheses or other problems, while others experienced thumb dislocations. Most cases of dislocations happened due to accidental injuries. The good news is, these were rare compared to the overall success.

So, if you’re thinking about options for treating thumb pain, the Rubis II prosthesis looks promising for many people.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is the Rubis II prosthesis better than surgery?
A: The study says it can be a good alternative for some people, especially those looking to avoid removing a bone (trapeziectomy).
Q: Is revision surgery common?
A: Only a small number of prostheses had complications that needed revision surgery—about 11 out of 115.
Q: What happens with thumb strength after surgery?
A: Patients regained strength close to their non-operated thumb.

Conclusion

If thumb arthritis is making everyday tasks painful or difficult, the Rubis II prosthesis may be an option worth discussing with your doctor. This study shows that it helps reduce pain, strengthen the thumb, and has a high satisfaction rate—98%! Why not explore if this solution might fit your needs?

This website makes it easier to understand medical science about thumb pain and rhizarthrosis. We use published studies so you get trustworthy information. Click through to learn more!

Disclaimer

This article is for education only. It is not medical advice. Please consult your doctor for personal medical advice and treatment options.

Study citation

Dehl, M.; Chelli, M.; Lippmann, S.; Benaissa, S.; Rotari, V.; Moughabghab, M. (2017). “Results of 115 Rubis II reverse thumb carpometacarpal joint prostheses with a mean follow-up of 10 years.”

Study link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28166695

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