If you have thumb pain from arthritis, you know it affects daily life. The pain in the thumb can be called rhizarthrosis. There is a surgical treatment called Total Joint Arthroplasty that some doctors think might help. A recent study looked at how well this surgery helps people after a few years. Let’s explore its findings and what it could mean for you.
- Total Joint Arthroplasty is a surgery for advanced thumb arthritis.
- It can help your thumb move better and reduce pain for most people.
- There are risks, but serious problems are rare.
In this article:
What is Total Joint Arthroplasty?
Total Joint Arthroplasty (TJA) is a surgery to replace a damaged joint with an artificial one, called a prosthesis. If you have advanced arthritis in your thumb carpometacarpal (CMC) joint, the joint where your thumb connects to your wrist, doctors might suggest Total Joint Arthroplasty to reduce pain and improve movement.
Why Do People Try TJA?
You may wonder why surgery is needed for something like thumb arthritis. Rhizarthrosis, or arthritis in the thumb CMC joint, can make tasks like gripping, pinching, and opening a jar very painful. When the joint becomes too damaged, medicines or therapy may not help anymore. This is when surgery may become an option.
What Does the Study Say?
How was the study done?
The study looked at 105 patients with severe thumb arthritis. They received a total of 136 surgeries to replace their thumb joints with artificial ones. Three different types of prostheses were used: ELiS®, Ivory®, and Touch® Dual Mobility implants. Researchers followed up with these patients for at least three years after their surgery, with some studied for over 10 years.
Here’s what they found:
- 85% of the cases reported full satisfaction and no pain or problems after surgery.
- 9% of cases had mild pain after using their hands a lot.
- Only 6% experienced occasional pain at rest, but it was less intense than their pre-surgery pain.
- Improved hand function, like better movement and grip, was commonly reported.
Were there any complications?
Here is where it gets interesting. Overall, the surgery was very safe. There were no major complications during the operations. A small number of patients (just five) needed follow-up surgeries to fix issues like implant dislocation or loosening. Some experienced temporary tingling or numbness in their thumbs, but it went away.
FAQs About Total Joint Arthroplasty?
Who should consider TJA?
People with severe thumb arthritis (rhizarthrosis) that limits their daily activities may want to discuss this option with their doctor.
How long will the new thumb joint last?
This study followed patients for 3 to 10 years, and most were satisfied during that entire time. Some needed minor fixes, but the implants generally lasted well.
Will I be pain-free after surgery?
Most people report feeling much better after surgery, with less pain and improved hand function. A small number of patients may still have mild pain.
Conclusion: Should You Consider TJA?
If thumb arthritis is making life difficult and other treatments aren’t working, Total Joint Arthroplasty could be a safe and effective solution for long-term relief. While there are rare risks like implant loosening or dislocation, the majority of patients in this study were happy with their results years after surgery. Talk to your doctor about what’s right for your situation.
Disclaimer
This article is based on published scientific research and is meant for educational purposes only. It is not medical advice. Always consult your doctor before choosing any treatment options.
Source: Jurca, J.; Vlach, M.; Havlas, V. (2025). Total joint arthroplasty of the thumb CMC joint.