If you have thumb pain from rhizarthrosis, which is arthritis at the base of your thumb, you might wonder if there is something newer than the usual treatments or surgeries. This article looks at a study about a thumb joint implant called the Touch® prosthesis, made to treat arthritis there. Read on to learn how it did 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 may ask, what is a prosthesis? A prosthesis is an artificial part that helps fix parts that don’t work well anymore. In this case, the Touch® prosthesis replaces the thumb joint for people with rhizarthrosis. Rhizarthrosis is arthritis at the base of the thumb that makes moving or gripping painful.
The Touch® prosthesis is a small device that looks like a ball and socket. It lets the thumb move in more ways and can be more comfortable. It is called dual-mobility because it can move in two directions.
What did the study find?
The study looked at 57 patients with severe thumb arthritis who got the Touch® prosthesis at one medical center. Some people had surgery on both hands, so they studied 61 prostheses in total. The researchers followed them for an average of 6.5 years to see how the implant did.
The key results in simple terms:
- Pain relief: Pain after surgery dropped a lot, from an average of 7.3 to 0.4 on a 0-10 scale.
- Thumb movement: Thumb movement improved, including being able to touch your thumb to your fingers, a movement called Kapandji’s technique (like making an “O” shape).
- Grip strength: Grip strength returned to normal, and many people had stronger thumbs than before their arthritis started.
Now, two problems 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 problems with the implant parts. A few people had small areas where bone was breaking down, called osteolysis, around the implant. This happened in about 7-12% of cases. Only 1 patient needed a second surgery after the implant loosened, but this was seven years later. Most people had no problems at all.
Can this help your thumb pain?
If you have trouble doing everyday tasks because of thumb pain, you might want to talk with your doctor about a prosthesis like this. This study followed people for 5-8 years, and it shows promising results: less pain, more movement, and happier lives afterward.
You may wonder if this is the solution for you. Since not everyone needs surgery or a prosthesis, talk openly with a hand specialist about your situation.
FAQ
- What is rhizarthrosis?
Rhizarthrosis is another name for thumb arthritis at the base of the thumb joint. - 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?
In short, a thumb joint implant like the Touch® prosthesis could help lower pain, improve grip strength, and fix crooked thumbs from arthritis. It seems to work well for up to 8 years, and most patients were very happy with it. If you have thumb pain from rhizarthrosis, talk about this option with your doctor.
This site helps you understand the science behind treatments for thumb pain and rhizarthrosis. We explain medical studies in plain language so you can make informed choices. Take a look around for 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 which options are best for you.
Source
Falaise, C.; Boulat, S. (2025). Five-to-8-year prospective follow-up of 61 Touch(R) trapeziometacarpal prostheses