If you have pain at the base of your thumb, you may have heard about joint replacement surgery. But does it really work for a long time?
Today we are looking at a study that followed people who got a special thumb joint replacement called the Roseland® prosthesis. The doctors watched them for more than ten years to see how well it worked.
Here are three quick things this study found:
- Most of the replacements stayed in place and worked well after more than 12 years.
- Almost all people felt little or no pain after the surgery.
- Most people could go back to using their hands the way they did before, or even better.
Key Findings at a Glance
- Research shows that 91% of the Roseland® thumb prostheses stayed in place and working after 12.5 years.
- Pain was absent or only occasional in 91% of patients.
- Three out of four people were able to resume or increase their manual activities.
- Complications occurred in 25% of cases, with trapezial fractures being the most common.
- Only 9% of prostheses needed removal over the study period.
What Is Rhizarthrosis?
Rhizarthrosis is a big word for arthritis at the base of your thumb. It happens in the joint where your thumb meets your wrist.
When this joint wears down, simple things like opening a jar or turning a key can hurt. Many people feel a deep ache that does not go away.
You may be wondering why this matters. When medicine and splints do not help enough, some doctors suggest replacing the damaged joint with an artificial one. This is called a prosthesis.
What Did This Study Look At?
According to this study, doctors followed 51 patients who received 64 thumb joint replacements. Some people had surgery on both thumbs, which is why the number of prostheses is higher than the number of people.
The replacement they used is called the Roseland® prosthesis. It is a small artificial joint made to fit where the damaged thumb joint used to be.
The doctors wanted to see how well this replacement worked over a long time. They checked on the patients for an average of 12.5 years after surgery. That is more than a decade.
They looked at three main things:
- How well the thumb worked
- How much pain people felt
- What the X-rays showed inside the joint
Here is where it gets interesting. Many joint replacements are only studied for a few years. This study went much longer.
How Well Did the Prosthesis Work After Ten Years?
Research shows that 91% of the prostheses stayed in place after 12.5 years. That means nine out of every ten replacements were still working.
People rated their results as satisfying or very satisfying. They could use their thumbs for everyday tasks.
Let us look closer. The study also found that three out of four people went back to their normal hand activities. Some even did more with their hands than before the surgery.
| Outcome | Result |
|---|---|
| Prostheses still in place | 91% |
| Pain absent or occasional | 91% |
| Able to resume manual activity | 75% |
| Needed removal | 9% |
These numbers tell us that most people did well for many years after surgery.
What About Pain and Hand Function?
Pain is often the biggest problem for people with thumb arthritis. According to this study, 91% of people had no pain or only occasional pain after the surgery.
That is a big relief. Imagine being able to hold a cup of coffee or write without that sharp ache.
The study also measured how well people could move their thumbs and how strong their grip was. The results were satisfying for people of different ages.
Movement and strength came back enough for people to do the things they needed to do each day.
Were There Any Problems or Complications?
No surgery is perfect. Complications happened in 25% of the prostheses. That means one out of every four replacements had some kind of problem.
The most common problem was a fracture of the trapezium bone. This is the small bone in your wrist that the prosthesis sits in. This happened in 9% of cases.
Some other problems included:
- The prosthesis coming loose
- The joint popping out of place
- Metal particles spreading in the tissue
- Arthritis in nearby joints
Because of these problems, eight people needed another surgery. Six of those surgeries involved removing the prosthesis and taking out the trapezium bone. This happened in 9% of the prostheses.
Even though complications happened, most people still did well overall.
What Did the X-rays Show?
The doctors took X-rays to see what was happening inside the joint. They found two things that showed up very often.
First, they saw something called axial sinking. This means the prosthesis sank a little deeper into the bone over time.
Second, they saw periprosthetic osteolysis. This is a big word that means the bone around the prosthesis was breaking down a bit.
You may be wondering if this is bad. Here is the good news. Even though these changes showed up on X-rays, they did not affect how well people could use their thumbs.
People still felt good and could do their daily tasks.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a thumb joint replacement last?
According to this study, 91% of Roseland® prostheses were still in place and working well after 12.5 years. Most people were satisfied with their thumb function throughout this time.
Will I still have pain after thumb joint replacement?
Research shows that 91% of people in this study had no pain or only occasional pain after surgery. This is a significant improvement for most patients with severe thumb arthritis.
What are the risks of thumb joint replacement?
Studies indicate that complications occur in about 25% of cases. The most common problem is a fracture of the trapezium bone, which happens in 9% of cases. About 9% of prostheses may need to be removed due to various complications.
Can I use my hand normally after this surgery?
According to medical evidence, three out of four people in this study were able to resume or even increase their manual activities after surgery. Hand strength and movement were satisfying for most patients.
What Does This Mean for You?
This study gives us hope. It shows that thumb joint replacement with the Roseland® prosthesis can work well for many years.
Most people got relief from pain. They could use their hands again. And the replacement stayed in place for over a decade in most cases.
Of course, every person is different. Some people had problems that needed more surgery. But overall, the results were positive.
If you are struggling with thumb pain, talk to your doctor. Ask about all your options. Find out if joint replacement might be right for you.
Take your time. Ask questions. Make the choice that feels right for your life.
About This Site
We simplify medical science for people with thumb pain and rhizarthrosis. Every article is based only on published scientific research. We read the studies so you do not have to. Our goal is to help you understand your options and talk to your doctor with confidence. Explore more articles on our site to learn about treatments, exercises, and the latest research.
Important Disclaimer
This article is for information only. It is not medical advice. It does not replace talking to your doctor. Every person is different. What works for one person may not work for another. Always talk to a qualified healthcare provider before making decisions about your treatment. Only your doctor can give you advice that fits your specific situation.
Study Citation
Original Research:
Semere, Alessandro (2013). Arthroplastie par prothèse totale trapézo-métacarpienne Roseland® dans la rhizarthrose essentielle : revue de 64 prothèses avec un recul supérieur à dix ans. HAL (Le Centre pour la Communication Scientifique Directe).