If you have thumb arthritis and love playing sports, you might wonder if surgery will let you return to the game. This study shares the story of a tennis player who had surgery for severe thumb arthritis and returned to playing tennis at a high level.
Here are three key points from this research:
- A 46 year old female tennis player had surgery to remove a damaged thumb bone and replace it with a special spacer.
- She returned to playing tennis one to two hours per day at tournament level.
- Four years after surgery, she had no pain and the spacer stayed in the correct position.
Key Findings at a Glance
- Research shows that trapeziectomy with a pyrocarbon spacer allowed a tennis player to return to tournament level play after thumb arthritis surgery.
- The patient was completely pain free four years after surgery in 2009.
- The joint space remained stable and the spacer stayed in the correct position throughout follow up.
- Studies indicate that about 10 percent of people experience rhizarthrosis, making it the most common degenerative joint disease of the hand.
- According to this case report, four dislocations occurred in the examined group of patients, which requires careful consideration.
In this article
What is thumb arthritis and how common is it?
According to research published in Sportverletz Sportschaden, rhizarthrosis is the most common degenerative joint disease of the hand. Studies indicate that about 10 percent of people experience this condition.
This joint gets used a lot. Every time you grip something, open a jar, or hold a tennis racket, this joint is working hard. Over time, the cushion between the bones can wear away. This causes pain and stiffness.
You may be wondering why this matters for athletes.
Athletes put even more stress on their hands. They use their thumbs over and over again. A tennis player grips the racket tightly. A golfer swings with force. These activities can make thumb arthritis symptoms worse.
What happened in this case study?
Research shows that a 46 year old woman who played tennis went to the hospital in January 2005. She had severe thumb arthritis in her right hand, which was her dominant hand. This means she used this hand for most activities.
Her arthritis was in stage 3 according to something called the Eaton classification. This is a system doctors use to describe how bad thumb arthritis is. Stage 3 means the arthritis is quite advanced.
She had pain during rest and when she used her hand. This made it very difficult for her to play tennis. The pain was constant and affected her quality of life.
Here is where it gets interesting.
She loved tennis and wanted to return to playing at a high level. She needed a surgery option that could handle the extreme stress of athletic activities.
What kind of surgery did she have?
According to this study, the patient had a surgery called trapeziectomy with interposition of a pyrocarbon spacer. Let us break down what this means in simple terms.
After removing the bone, the surgeon placed a special spacer in the empty spot. This spacer was made of pyrocarbon. Pyrocarbon is a special material that is very strong and smooth. It acts like the cushion that used to be there.
The spacer keeps the bones from touching each other. It allows the thumb to move without grinding bone on bone. This reduces pain and helps the thumb work better.
Let us look closer at why this matters for athletes.
Different surgical methods exist for treating thumb arthritis. Some surgeons remove the bone and do not replace it with anything. Others use tendon tissue from your own body. This case used a man made spacer instead.
What were the results?
Research shows that the patient had her last check up in spring 2009. This was about four years after her surgery. The results were very positive.
According to this study, the patient was completely free of complaints. She had no pain at rest or during activity. This was a big change from before surgery when she had constant pain.
She had returned to playing tennis. She played one to two hours per day at tournament level. Tournament level means she was competing, not just playing casually. This shows the surgery could handle very high stress on the thumb.
The doctors took X ray pictures to check on the spacer. The spacer was still in the correct position. The joint space in the carpo metacarpal joint was constant. This means the distance between the bones stayed the same and did not collapse.
This stability is important. It shows that the spacer did its job over time. The thumb could move and work hard without the spacer moving out of place.
What are the important points to consider?
Studies indicate that this surgery option has both benefits and drawbacks. The doctors who wrote this report wanted to be honest about both sides.
The benefits include:
- The patient returned to high level athletic activity
- She had no pain four years after surgery
- The spacer stayed in the correct position
- The surgery handled the multiaxial stress of tennis, which means stress from many different directions
You may be wondering about the downsides.
According to this study, there were two concerns. First, four dislocations happened in the group of patients who had this surgery. Dislocation means the spacer moved out of its correct position. This would require another procedure to fix.
Second, the implant cost 930 Euros. This is more expensive than some other treatment options that use your own body tissue instead of a man made device.
The doctors said these points need to be discussed critically. This means patients and doctors should think carefully about these issues before choosing this surgery.
| Benefits | Concerns |
|---|---|
| Return to tournament level sports | Four dislocations in patient group |
| Complete pain relief | Implant cost of 930 Euros |
| Stable spacer position over time | More expensive than some alternatives |
| Handles high and multiaxial stress | Requires careful patient selection |
Common questions answered
Can I return to sports after thumb arthritis surgery?
According to this case report, yes, it is possible to return to high level sports after thumb arthritis surgery. The tennis player in this study returned to tournament level play one to two hours per day. However, this was one case and results may vary for different people and different types of surgery.
How long does it take to recover from this surgery?
The study does not give exact recovery time. It only states that the patient returned to playing tennis and was pain free by the 2009 follow up, which was about four years after her 2005 surgery. The actual return to tennis likely happened much sooner, but the study does not specify the exact timeframe.
What is a pyrocarbon spacer?
A pyrocarbon spacer is a small man made device placed between bones after the damaged bone is removed. Pyrocarbon is a special smooth and strong material. It acts like the natural cushion that used to be in the joint. It keeps bones from rubbing together and causing pain.
Are there other surgery options for thumb arthritis?
Yes. According to this study, different conservative and surgical methods are available for treating rhizarthrosis. The researchers mention that many publications deal with the outcome of different surgical procedures. This surgery with a pyrocarbon spacer is described as a worthwhile alternative compared to other established operative techniques.
Final thoughts
This case report shows that trapeziectomy with a pyrocarbon spacer can be an effective treatment option for thumb arthritis, even for people who want to return to demanding athletic activities.
Research shows that the tennis player in this study achieved excellent results. She had no pain and returned to tournament level play. The spacer remained stable over four years of follow up.
However, the study also reminds us to consider the cost and the risk of dislocation. These factors are important when deciding which surgery option is right for you.
If you have thumb arthritis and want to stay active, talk with your doctor about all your options. Every person is different. What worked well for this tennis player might not be the best choice for everyone.
The most important thing is finding a treatment that reduces your pain and helps you do the activities you love.
About This Site
This website simplifies medical science for people with thumb pain and rhizarthrosis. We use only published scientific articles to bring you accurate and trustworthy information. Our goal is to help you understand your condition so you can have better conversations with your doctor. We invite you to explore more content on our site to learn about diagnosis, treatment options, and what research says about thumb arthritis.
Important disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only. It is not medical advice. The information comes from a published scientific study, but it should not replace a conversation with your doctor. Every person’s situation is different. Only a qualified healthcare provider who examines you can give you personalized medical advice and treatment recommendations. If you have thumb pain or think you might have rhizarthrosis, please see a doctor for proper evaluation and care.
Scientific source
This article is based on research by Szalay, G., Meyer, C., Jurgensen, I., Stigler, B., and Schnettler, R., published in 2009 in the journal Sportverletz Sportschaden.
Read the full study here: https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0028-1109720