If you have had thumb surgery for arthritis and you are still in pain, you are not alone. Many people struggle with thumb pain even after their first operation. This article explains a new type of thumb implant that may help when other surgeries have not worked.
Here are three things you should know:
- A special ball and socket implant can be placed between two thumb bones.
- This implant helps keep your thumb the right length and lets it move freely.
- Research shows that most patients get much better grip strength and less pain.
Key Findings at a Glance
- According to this study, 11 patients with 13 thumbs received a special implant after previous thumb surgeries failed.
- Research shows that grip strength recovered to 80 to 90 percent of the other hand within an average of 16 months.
- Studies indicate that thumb movement scored an average of 9 out of 10 on a standard scale.
- All implants showed good bone growth around them with no loosening or dislocation.
- Only two minor complications occurred: one case of mild numbness and one bone break during healing.
In This Article
What Is Rhizarthrosis and Why Does It Hurt?
Rhizarthrosis is a big word for arthritis in your thumb joint. This is the joint where your thumb connects to your wrist. When this joint wears down, the bones rub together. That rubbing causes pain.
According to medical evidence, up to 30 percent of women over 50 have some arthritis in this joint. That means it is very common. Women are more likely to have it than men.
You may be wondering why this matters.
When your thumb hurts, simple things become hard. Opening jars. Turning keys. Holding a coffee cup. Your thumb does so much work every day. When it does not work well, life gets harder.
What Is This Special Thumb Implant?
The implant used in this study is called a dual mobility prosthesis. That is a fancy name for a ball and socket joint. Think of it like a tiny ball sitting in a tiny cup.
Here is where it gets interesting.
This implant is placed in two bones. One part goes into the scaphoid bone. That is a small bone in your wrist near your thumb. The other part connects to your thumb bone called the metacarpal.
The specific implant used in this study is called the Touch prosthesis. It is designed to let your thumb move freely while staying stable. The ball moves inside the cup. This movement is what lets you use your thumb naturally.
Who Was Studied in This Research?
Research shows that this study followed 11 patients. These patients had 13 thumbs treated in total. Two patients had both thumbs done.
All of these patients had something important in common. They had already had thumb surgery before. That first surgery did not work well enough. They still had problems.
What kind of problems did they have?
- Pain that would not go away
- Thumbs that had become shorter
- Weak grip strength
Studies indicate that the average follow up time was 16 months. That means doctors checked on these patients for more than a year on average. Some patients were followed for as short as 4 months. Others were followed for as long as 49 months.
What Happened to These Patients?
Let us look closer at the results.
According to this study, all patients showed significant improvements in how their thumbs worked. That means every single person got better.
How Strong Did Their Grip Become?
Grip strength is how hard you can squeeze something. Doctors measured this with a special tool called a dynamometer.
Research shows that grip strength recovered to 80 to 90 percent of the other hand. If your left thumb was treated and your right thumb was healthy, your left hand could squeeze almost as hard as your right hand. That is a very good result.
How Well Could They Move Their Thumbs?
Doctors use something called the Kapandji score to measure thumb movement. This score goes from 0 to 10. A score of 10 means your thumb can touch every part of your hand and fingers easily.
Studies indicate that thumb opposition averaged 9 out of 10. Opposition means being able to touch your thumb to your other fingers. This score means patients could use their thumbs almost normally.
Did the Implants Stay in Place?
Doctors took x rays to look at the implants. According to medical evidence, the x rays showed good osseointegration. That means the bone grew into the implants properly. There were no signs of loosening. There were no dislocations. The implants stayed right where they belonged.
Were There Any Problems?
No surgery is perfect. Even good surgeries can have small problems. This study was honest about what happened.
Research shows that there were only two complications.
The first complication was mild numbness. One patient had persistent mild hypesthesia. Hypesthesia means reduced feeling in the skin. This happened in the area where the radial nerve runs. The radial nerve gives feeling to part of your thumb and hand. The good news is that this numbness was mild. It did not stop the patient from using the hand normally.
The second complication was a bone break. One patient had a scaphoid fracture 4 weeks after surgery. A fracture is a broken bone. This happened even though the patient was wearing a cast. The cast is supposed to protect the thumb while it heals. This break was unexpected.
You may be wondering why this matters.
Two complications out of 13 thumbs is a low rate. Most patients had no problems at all. This suggests the surgery is relatively safe when done by experienced surgeons.
Common Questions
Who is this surgery for?
According to this study, this implant is for people who have already had thumb surgery that did not work well. If you still have pain, weakness, or a shortened thumb after your first surgery, this may be an option to discuss with your doctor.
Will I lose my thumb length with this surgery?
No. Research shows that this implant preserves thumb length. Other surgeries like trapeziectomy often make the thumb shorter. This implant keeps your thumb the same length.
How long does it take to recover?
The study followed patients for an average of 16 months. Most improvements in grip strength and movement happen within the first several months. Your doctor will give you a specific timeline based on your situation.
What if this surgery does not work for me?
According to medical evidence, if this implant fails, other options are still available. You can still have arthrodesis or tendon suspensionplasty later. Arthrodesis means fusing the bones together. Tendon suspensionplasty uses a piece of tendon to support the thumb.
What Does This Mean for You?
If you have had thumb surgery before and you are still struggling, there is hope. This study shows that a scapho metacarpal dual mobility prosthesis can help.
Studies indicate that this approach is feasible and effective. Feasible means it can be done safely. Effective means it works.
The implant helps in two important ways. It keeps your thumb the right length. It also lets your thumb move freely. Other surgeries may fix pain but they often shorten the thumb or limit movement.
What should you do next?
Talk to your hand surgeon. Ask if you might be a candidate for this type of implant. Bring questions. Bring this article if it helps. Your doctor can tell you if this option makes sense for your specific situation.
The researchers say that more long term studies are needed. This surgery is still being studied. But the early results are encouraging.
About This Site
This website simplifies medical science about thumb pain and rhizarthrosis. We use only published scientific articles from trusted medical journals. Our goal is to help you understand what research really says. We translate complex medical language into words that make sense. Explore more articles to learn about your condition and your options.
Important Information
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. Your situation is unique. Only a qualified healthcare provider can tell you what treatment is right for you. If you have thumb pain or questions about surgery, please see a hand surgeon or orthopedic specialist.
Scientific Source
Study Citation:
Glaser, J., Aman, M., Krohn, T., Duerinckx, J., Panzram, B., & Harhaus, L. (2025). Scapho-metacarpal dual mobility prosthesis for TMC-1 joint salvage: technical insights. Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery.
Read the full study:
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00402-025-05751-w
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