If you have pain at the base of your thumb, you might be dealing with something called rhizarthrosis. This is when the joint where your thumb meets your wrist starts to wear out. It can make everyday activities hard and painful.
Good news though. A group of doctors in Brazil tested a special thumb implant made from a material called pyrocarbon. They wanted to see if it could help people with this kind of thumb pain.
Here are three quick facts about what they found:
- After surgery, patients had much less pain. The pain score dropped to just 1.37 out of 10.
- Almost all patients got back 95% of their thumb movement compared to their other thumb.
- Quality of life improved a lot. Most people felt they could use their hand normally again.
Key Findings at a Glance
- Doctors studied 45 patients with 53 thumbs that had thumb arthritis.
- All patients received an uncemented pyrocarbon implant in a surgery that removed the damaged joint.
- After about 42 months (3.5 years), pain levels dropped to 1.37 on a scale of 1 to 10.
- Thumb movement improved to 95.75% compared to the healthy side.
- Quality of life scores averaged 9.98 on the DASH questionnaire (lower is better), meaning patients could use their hands well.
- 11.32% of patients had complications, mostly implant dislocations that were successfully fixed with another surgery.
What Is Rhizarthrosis and Why Does It Hurt?
You may be wondering why this matters. This joint is one of the most important in your hand. You use it every time you hold a cup, turn a key, or write your name.
When it wears out, simple things become difficult. Many people with rhizarthrosis feel pain when they grip objects or move their thumb. Some people also notice their thumb looks different or feels weak.
Who Was Included in This Study?
According to this study, doctors followed 45 patients who had thumb arthritis. These patients had a total of 53 thumbs that needed help. Most of the patients were women. In fact, 38 women and 7 men took part.
Here is where it gets interesting. The average age of these patients was about 63 years old. The youngest was 50 and the oldest was 78. Eight of these patients had arthritis in both thumbs. So they needed surgery on both hands.
All of these people had what doctors call idiopathic rhizarthrosis. That means the arthritis appeared without a clear cause. It was not from an injury or another disease. It just happened over time.
What Kind of Surgery Did They Do?
Let us look closer at the treatment. The doctors used a surgery called resection arthroplasty with interposition. This sounds complicated, but here is what it means.
The implant is called the Ascension® implant. It is made from a material called pyrocarbon. This material is very strong and smooth. It is not cemented in place. Instead, it fits snugly into the bone and stays there naturally.
The goal of the surgery is to take away the pain and give the thumb back its movement. The implant acts like a new joint surface.
What Were the Results After Surgery?
Research shows that the results were quite good. The doctors followed these patients for an average of 42 months. That is about three and a half years. Some patients were followed for as little as 8 months. Others were followed for as long as 73 months.
Pain Levels Improved
The doctors asked patients to rate their pain. They used something called the VAS, which stands for visual analogue scale. This is a simple way to measure pain from 0 to 10. Zero means no pain. Ten means the worst pain you can imagine.
After the surgery, the average pain score was just 1.37. That is very low. Most patients said their pain was between 1 and 4 on the scale. That means the surgery took away most of their pain.
Thumb Movement Got Much Better
The doctors also measured how much the thumb could move. They compared the operated thumb to the other thumb. On average, patients got back 95.75% of their movement. Some got back 75%. Others got back 100%.
This is important because it means people could use their thumb almost as well as before the arthritis started.
Quality of Life Improved
The doctors used a special questionnaire called the DASH. DASH stands for Disability of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand. This questionnaire asks patients about daily activities. Can you open a jar? Can you button your shirt? Can you carry a bag?
A lower DASH score means better quality of life. The average score for these patients was 9.98. Scores ranged from 1 to 18. This means most patients felt their hand worked well again. They could do the things they needed to do each day.
| Measurement | Result |
|---|---|
| Average Pain Score (VAS) | 1.37 (range 1–4) |
| Thumb Movement Recovery | 95.75% (range 75–100%) |
| Quality of Life (DASH Score) | 9.98 (range 1–18) |
| Follow Up Time (Months) | 42.08 (range 8–73) |
Were There Any Problems?
You may be wondering if anything went wrong. The answer is yes, but not very often. The complication rate was 11.32%. That means about 11 out of every 100 patients had a problem.
Implant Dislocations
Five patients had their implant slip out of place. This is called a dislocation. When this happened, the doctors did another surgery to fix it. They performed something called dorsal capsuloplasty.
After this second surgery, all five patients did well. Their implants stayed in place and they had good results.
One Bone Fracture
One patient broke the metacarpal bone. This is the long bone in the thumb. The doctors fixed this with a surgery called osteosynthesis. They used a thin wire called a Kirschner wire to hold the bone together while it healed.
This patient also recovered well.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to recover after this surgery?
According to this study, doctors followed patients for about 42 months on average. That is three and a half years. Most patients saw improvements in pain, movement, and quality of life during this time. Recovery happens gradually. You will likely see progress in the weeks and months after surgery.
Is this surgery safe for most people with thumb arthritis?
Research shows that this method is effective for treating rhizarthrosis. The complication rate was 11.32%. Most complications were fixable with another surgery. The doctors in this study concluded that the surgery is effective, even when considering the complications.
Will I be able to use my thumb normally again?
Studies indicate that patients in this research got back about 95.75% of their thumb movement compared to their other thumb. Quality of life scores also improved, with an average DASH score of 9.98. This means most patients could do everyday tasks again without much trouble.
What happens if the implant slips out of place?
According to medical evidence, five patients in this study had their implant dislocate. All of them had a second surgery to stabilize the joint. After that, they had good outcomes. So even if a problem happens, it can usually be fixed.
What Does This Mean for You?
If you have thumb arthritis, this research offers hope. The doctors found that surgery with a pyrocarbon implant can reduce pain, improve movement, and help you get back to your daily life.
Of course, no surgery is perfect. Some people had complications. But most of those problems were solved with another procedure. Overall, the results were positive.
If your thumb hurts and simple treatments are not working, talk to your doctor. Ask if this kind of surgery might be right for you. Every person is different. Your doctor can help you decide the best path forward.
Remember, you are not alone. Many people deal with thumb arthritis. And there are treatments that can help.
About This Site
This site is here to help you understand thumb pain and rhizarthrosis. We take complicated medical science and break it down into simple language. We only use published scientific articles. That way, you get accurate information you can trust. Feel free to explore more content on this site to learn about your condition and your options.
Important Information
This article is for educational purposes only. It is not medical advice. Always talk to your doctor or healthcare provider before making any decisions about your health. They can give you advice that fits your specific situation.
Research Source
This article is based on a study by Aita, Marcio Aurélio; Alves, Rafael Saleme; Longuino, Luis Felipe; Ferreira, Carlos Henrique Vieira; Ikeuti, Douglas Hideki; and Rodrigues, Luciano Muller Reis, published in Revista Brasileira de Ortopedia in 2016.
You can read the full study here:
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rbo.2015.10.002
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