If you’ve been living with thumb pain due to rhizarthrosis (a hard-to-pronounce word for arthritis in the base of your thumb), you might find yourself wondering: is there anything more modern than the typical treatments or surgeries? This blog post explores an exciting study that looked into a specific thumb joint implant, called the Touch® prosthesis, made for treating arthritis in this area. Stick with me to learn how it performed over several years.
Key findings from the study:
- Patients experienced big pain relief, going from high pain levels to almost none.
- Their thumb strength and movement improved.
- Most patients were very happy with their results, and only one needed a second procedure.
In this article:
What is the Touch® prosthesis?
You might be wondering, what is a prosthesis? A prosthesis is an artificial body part used to help fix areas that don’t work well anymore. In this case, the Touch® prosthesis replaces the thumb joint for people with rhizarthrosis. Rhizarthrosis is arthritis that damages the area where your thumb connects to the hand, making it painful to move or grip things.
The Touch® prosthesis is a small device shaped like a ball and socket (picture the kind of joint that lets you move in different directions) made from strong materials. It’s called dual-mobility because it can move in two distinct ways: offering more flexibility and comfort for your thumb.
What did the study find?
This study looked at 57 patients who had severe thumb arthritis and received the Touch® prosthesis at a medical center. A few had surgery on both hands, so they studied a total of 61 prostheses. The researchers followed these patients for an average of 6.5 years to see how the implant worked for them.
The key results in simple terms:
Pain after surgery dropped drastically, from a high average of 7.3 down to only 0.4 on a scale of 0-10. - Thumb movement: Patients could move their thumbs better, including reaching fingers to each other, a movement called Kapandji’s technique (like making an “O” shape).
- Grip strength: Their thumb strength was back to normal—in fact, many patients actually had stronger thumbs than before their arthritis developed.
Now, let’s look at two problems that patients faced before surgery:
| Problem | Before Surgery | After Surgery |
|---|---|---|
| Hyperextension | 46% of thumbs | 33% of thumbs |
| Z-deformities* (crooked thumb shape) | 23% of thumbs | Only 4% |
*Z-deformity means a bend in the thumb that makes it look like a Z shape.
There were only minor issues with the implant parts. A few cases saw small areas of bone breaking down, called osteolysis, around the implant. This happened in about 7-12% of cases. Only 1 patient needed a second surgery after their implant came loose, but this was seven years later. Most people had no problems at all.
Can this help your thumb pain?
If you’re struggling to do everyday things because of thumb pain, a prosthesis like this might be worth asking your doctor about. Although this study followed patients for only 5-8 years, it shows promising results: less pain, more movement, and happier lives afterward.
You may be wondering if this is the solution for you. Since not everyone will need surgery or a prosthesis, it’s best to have an honest conversation with a hand specialist about your situation.
FAQ
- What is rhizarthrosis?
Rhizarthrosis is another name for thumb arthritis that happens in the joint at the base of your thumb. - What does “dual mobility” mean?
It means the implant can move in two directions, which helps your thumb move better and feel more comfortable. - How long does a prosthesis last?
In this study, many patients had no issues over 5-8 years, but one needed a repair after 7 years. Long-term durability still needs further research.
What does all this mean for you?
To recap, a thumb joint implant like the Touch® prosthesis could help reduce pain, improve grip strength, and fix crooked thumbs caused by arthritis. It seems to work well for up to 8 years, and most patients were very satisfied with it. If you’ve been struggling with thumb pain from rhizarthrosis, it’s worth discussing this option with your doctor.
This site is here to help you understand the science behind treatments for thumb pain and rhizarthrosis. We break down medical studies into easy language so you can make informed choices. Take a look around and explore more helpful information.
Disclaimer
This article explains a scientific study in simple terms for general information. It is not medical advice. Always talk to your doctor to understand what options are best for your personal situation.
Source
Falaise, C.; Boulat, S. (2025). Five-to-8-year prospective follow-up of 61 Touch(R) trapeziometacarpal prostheses
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