If your thumb hurts when you open a jar or turn a key, you are not alone. Many people live with thumb pain caused by arthritis in the base of the thumb. This is called rhizarthrosis or thumb osteoarthritis. When pain becomes severe and other treatments do not help, doctors sometimes suggest replacing the worn joint with an artificial one. But does it actually work in the long run?
A recent study followed 61 thumb joint replacements for five to eight years. The results are encouraging. Patients felt much less pain, moved their thumbs better, and almost everyone was happy with the outcome. Only one person out of the group needed a second surgery.
Here are three important things this study shows:
- Pain went down from a score of 7.3 out of 10 to just 0.4
- Thumb strength improved from 67% to 102% compared to the other hand
- Only one implant (that means 2% of all) needed to be fixed or replaced after seven years
Key Findings at a Glance
- 61 Touch® thumb joint replacements followed for an average of 6.5 years
- Pain decreased from 7.3 to 0.4 on a 10 point scale
- Thumb grip strength improved from 67% to 102% of the healthy side
- Only one revision surgery (2%) was needed during the study period
- All patients reported being satisfied or very satisfied with the treatment
In This Article
What Is Rhizarthrosis and Why Does It Hurt?
This joint is called the trapeziometacarpal joint. That is a big word. It just means the place where two small bones meet at the base of your thumb. One bone is called the trapezium. It sits in your wrist. The other is the metacarpal. It is the long bone inside your thumb.
When this joint wears out, simple tasks become hard. You may feel pain when you grip, pinch, or twist. Opening jars, turning keys, or even writing can hurt. The pain can be sharp or dull. It may get worse as the day goes on.
What Is a Thumb Joint Prosthesis?
A prosthesis is an artificial body part. A thumb joint prosthesis is a small device made of metal and sometimes plastic. It replaces the worn out joint at the base of your thumb. Think of it like a new hinge for a door that does not open smoothly anymore.
The device used in this study is called the Touch® prosthesis. It is a ball and socket design. One part fits into the bone in your wrist. The other part fits into the bone in your thumb. The ball moves inside the socket. This lets your thumb move in many directions just like a healthy joint.
You may be wondering why this matters. Here is where it gets interesting. This type of prosthesis has two parts that can move. That is why it is called a dual mobility prosthesis. The extra movement may help the joint last longer and feel more natural.
What Did This Study Look At?
Doctors in this study wanted to know if the Touch® prosthesis works well over time. They followed 57 patients who received this implant. Four patients had surgery on both thumbs. That makes 61 prostheses in total.
All of these patients had severe arthritis in the thumb joint. One patient had the surgery because the joint was too loose. The doctors checked on these patients before surgery and then at one year, three years, five years, and ten years after surgery.
According to this study, an independent observer measured several things. That means someone who was not the surgeon did the measuring. This helps make the results more trustworthy. They measured pain using a scale from 0 to 10. They measured how far the thumb could move. They measured grip strength. They also took X rays to see how the implant looked inside the bone.
Patients were followed for an average of 6.5 years. The shortest follow up was five years. The longest was 8.8 years. One patient was lost to follow up. That means the doctors could not find that person later. Three patients died during the study for reasons not related to the thumb surgery.
What Were the Results?
Let us look closer at what happened to these patients.
Pain Got Much Better
Research shows that pain dropped dramatically. Before surgery, patients rated their pain at an average of 7.3 out of 10. After surgery, pain dropped to just 0.4 out of 10. That is a huge improvement. Most patients felt almost no pain at all.
Thumb Movement Improved
The range of motion increased after surgery. That means patients could move their thumbs more freely. Doctors used something called the Kapandji score to measure this. It is a simple test that checks how far your thumb can reach across your hand.
Grip Strength Got Stronger
Grip strength is how hard you can pinch or squeeze. Before surgery, the painful thumb was only 67% as strong as the other thumb. After surgery, it improved to 102% of the other side. That means the thumb that had surgery became just as strong or even stronger than the healthy thumb.
| Measure | Before Surgery | After Surgery |
|---|---|---|
| Pain (0 to 10 scale) | 7.3 | 0.4 |
| Grip Strength (% of other hand) | 67% | 102% |
Thumb Shape Changes
Some patients had a problem called metacarpophalangeal hyperextension before surgery. That is a big phrase. It means the knuckle joint in the middle of the thumb bent backward too much. This happened in 26 thumbs before surgery. After surgery, it was still present in 19 thumbs. So the surgery helped some patients, but not all.
Another problem is called Z deformity. This happens when the thumb looks bent in a zigzag shape. Before surgery, 13 patients had this problem. After surgery, only 2 patients still had it. That is a big improvement.
Were There Any Problems?
No treatment is perfect. It is important to know what can go wrong.
Osteolysis
X rays showed minor osteolysis in a few patients. Four patients (7%) had some bone loss around the trapezium component. That is the part that sits in the wrist. Seven patients (12%) had bone loss around the metacarpal component. That is the part in the thumb bone. The word minor means the bone loss was small and did not cause big problems.
Loosening and Revision Surgery
Only one patient out of 61 needed a second surgery. This is called a revision. The cup part of the prosthesis became loose seven years after the first surgery. Loosening means the implant did not stay fixed in the bone. This patient needed surgery to fix or replace the implant.
That means 98% of the implants stayed in place and worked well during the study period.
Patient Satisfaction
All patients said they were satisfied or very satisfied with the treatment. This is important. It means the surgery met their hopes and improved their daily life.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a thumb joint replacement last?
According to this study, the Touch® prosthesis worked well for an average of 6.5 years. Only one implant out of 61 needed to be replaced. Longer studies are needed to know how many years the implant will last.
Will I still have pain after thumb joint replacement?
Research shows that pain dropped from 7.3 to 0.4 on a 10 point scale. Most patients felt very little pain after surgery. However, every person is different. Your results may vary.
Can I use my thumb normally after this surgery?
Studies indicate that thumb movement and grip strength improved after surgery. Most patients could use their thumb for daily tasks like opening jars, writing, and turning keys. Grip strength reached 102% of the healthy side.
What are the risks of thumb joint replacement?
Some patients had minor bone loss around the implant. One patient needed a second surgery because the implant became loose. These problems were rare. Your surgeon can explain the risks that apply to you.
About This Site: We simplify medical science for people living with thumb pain and rhizarthrosis. Every article on this site is based only on published scientific research. We translate complex studies into plain language so you can make informed decisions about your health. We invite you to explore more content and learn what the latest research says about your condition.
What Does This Mean for You?
If you have severe thumb arthritis that does not get better with other treatments, a thumb joint prosthesis may be an option. This study shows that the Touch® dual mobility prosthesis can reduce pain, improve movement, and make your thumb stronger.
The results are promising. Most patients were very happy with the outcome. Problems were rare. Only one person out of 61 needed a second surgery.
Of course, surgery is a big decision. It is not right for everyone. Talk to your doctor about your specific situation. Ask questions. Learn about all your options. Your doctor can help you decide if a prosthesis is a good choice for you.
If you do choose surgery, this study suggests you have a good chance of feeling much better. Your pain may go away. Your thumb may move more freely. You may be able to do the things you love again without hurting.
Important Disclaimer
This article is for educational purposes only. It is not medical advice. It does not replace a conversation with your doctor. Every person is different. What works for one person may not work for another. If you have thumb pain or think you have rhizarthrosis, please see a qualified healthcare provider. Only a doctor who examines you can give you personal medical advice and recommend the right treatment for your situation.
Scientific Source
This article is based on the study by Falaise, C. and Boulat, S. published in Hand Surgery and Rehabilitation in 2025.
Read the full study here:
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hansur.2025.102167
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