If you have pain at the base of your thumb that makes it hard to open jars, turn keys, or hold a pen, you may have a condition called rhizarthrosis. This is a type of arthritis that affects the joint where your thumb meets your wrist. When other treatments stop working, doctors sometimes suggest a special surgery called thumb joint replacement. But does it really help?
Researchers in this study looked at people who had a type of thumb joint replacement called the Maia prosthesis. They wanted to see if it helped with pain, movement, and strength.
Here are three important things they found:
- Most patients were happy with their results after surgery.
- Thumb movement and strength improved a lot.
- The implant stayed in place and worked well for most people over five years.
Key Findings at a Glance
- Research shows that 22 patients received thumb joint replacement surgery and were followed for an average of 56 months.
- According to this study, patients reached 89% of normal thumb movement compared to their healthy hand.
- The mean satisfaction score was 8.8 out of 10, showing high patient happiness with the procedure.
- Studies indicate that 86.4% of the implants were still working well after five years.
- The revision rate was 13.6%, with three patients needing a second surgery.
What Is Rhizarthrosis and Why Does It Hurt?
This joint does a lot of work every day. It helps you pinch, grip, and twist. Over time, the cushion inside the joint can wear away. When that happens, bone rubs on bone. That causes pain, swelling, and stiffness.
You may be wondering why this matters. Well, this kind of arthritis is very common, especially in women over 50. It can make everyday tasks feel impossible.
What Is Thumb Joint Replacement?
When pain medicines, splints, and hand therapy do not help anymore, surgery may be an option. One type of surgery is called arthroplasty. That is a big word that means joint replacement.
In this study, the doctors used a specific type of prosthesis called the Maia prosthesis. It is made of two parts. One part fits into the thumb bone. The other part fits into the trapezium bone in the wrist. They work together like a ball and socket.
Here is where it gets interesting. Not every surgeon uses this type of implant. The researchers wanted to see how well it worked over time.
Who Was in This Study?
According to this study, researchers looked back at 22 patients who had thumb joint replacement surgery between 2015 and 2017. Almost all of them were women. Only one was a man. Their average age was about 60 years old.
All of these patients had already tried other treatments that did not work. Their arthritis was graded using something called the Eaton-Littler classification. This is a scale that tells doctors how bad the arthritis is.
| Arthritis Grade | Number of Patients |
|---|---|
| Grade II | 4 |
| Grade III | 18 |
Most patients had grade III arthritis. That means their joint damage was serious.
The researchers followed these patients for an average of 56 months. That is almost five years. They checked how well the patients could move their thumbs, how strong they were, and how happy they felt with the surgery.
What Did the Results Show?
Let us look closer at what happened to these patients after surgery.
How Well Could They Move Their Thumbs?
Research shows that thumb movement improved a lot. The doctors measured something called radial abduction. That is a fancy way of saying how far you can move your thumb away from your hand.
After surgery, patients could move their thumb an average of 53 degrees. That was about 89% of what their healthy hand could do. That is really good.
The doctors also used something called the Kapandji score. This measures how well you can touch your thumb to different parts of your hand. The average score was 9.5 out of 10. That was 98% of what the healthy hand could do.
How Strong Were They?
Strength is important too. The doctors measured two types of strength. One is called key pinch. That is when you pinch something between your thumb and the side of your finger, like holding a key.
Studies indicate that the average key pinch strength was 4.7 kilograms. That was about 79% of the strength in the other hand.
The other measure is grip strength. That is how hard you can squeeze your whole hand around something.
| Measurement | After Surgery | Compared to Healthy Hand |
|---|---|---|
| Key Pinch | 4.7 kg | 79% |
| Grip Strength | 8 kg | 81% |
These numbers show that patients got back most of their strength.
How Happy Were Patients?
According to medical evidence, the average satisfaction score was 8.8 out of 10. That means most people were very happy with their surgery. They felt it helped them do the things they wanted to do.
The researchers also used a special questionnaire called the qDASH score. This stands for Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand. It asks patients how hard it is to do everyday tasks.
The average qDASH score was 25.8. Lower scores are better. A score in this range means patients still had some challenges, but they were much better than before surgery.
Were There Any Problems?
No surgery is perfect. Some patients had problems that needed more treatment.
Research shows that three patients out of 22 needed a second surgery. That is a revision rate of 13.6%. Two of those patients had a problem called dislocation. That means the prosthesis moved out of place. One patient had loosening of the part that fits into the trapezium bone.
The good news is that there were no infections. Infection is one of the biggest worries with any surgery that puts something artificial inside the body.
Studies indicate that the survival rate of the implant was 86.4% after five years. That means the implant was still working well in most patients without needing another surgery.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does recovery take after thumb joint replacement?
According to this study, patients were followed for an average of 56 months to see long term results. Recovery time varies, but most patients see improvement in movement and strength within the first few months after surgery. Your doctor will guide you through hand therapy to help you heal.
Is thumb joint replacement painful?
After surgery, you will have some pain and swelling. Your doctor will give you medicine to help. Over time, the goal is to have much less pain than you had before surgery. Most patients in this study reported high satisfaction, which suggests their pain improved.
Will I be able to use my hand normally again?
Research shows that patients recovered about 89% of thumb movement and around 79% to 81% of strength compared to their healthy hand. Many people can return to daily activities like opening jars, writing, and gripping objects. Your results may vary based on your health and how well you follow therapy.
What are the risks of thumb joint replacement?
Studies indicate that complications can happen. In this study, 13.6% of patients needed a second surgery. Problems included dislocation and loosening of the implant. There were no infections reported. Your surgeon will discuss all risks with you before surgery.
What Does This Mean for You?
If you have severe thumb arthritis that has not gotten better with other treatments, thumb joint replacement may be an option worth discussing with your doctor.
According to this study, the Maia prosthesis helped most patients move their thumbs better, regain strength, and feel happier with their hand function. The implant worked well for most people over five years.
But this surgery is not easy. The researchers said it is technically demanding. That means it takes skill and practice for a surgeon to do it well. If you are thinking about this surgery, ask your doctor how much experience they have with this procedure.
Remember, every person is different. Your results may be different from the people in this study. Talk to your hand surgeon about what to expect.
About This Site
We simplify medical science for people with thumb pain and rhizarthrosis. We use only published scientific articles to bring you clear, honest information. Our goal is to help you understand your options and have better conversations with your doctor. Explore more articles on our site to learn about treatments, diagnosis, and what research says about thumb arthritis.
Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only. It is not medical advice. It does not replace a conversation with your doctor. Always talk to a qualified healthcare professional about your symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options. Only your doctor can give you advice that is right for your specific situation.
Scientific Source
Study Citation: Correia, G.; Ribeiro, E.; Correia, R.; Ribau, M.; Varanda, P.; Ribeiro, J.; Rodrigues, L. F. (2024). Trapeziometacarpal Joint Arthroplasty: Medium-Term Clinical Outcomes and Survival. Cureus.
https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.72888
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