OCR to soon offer breakthrough joint replacement procedure for hand arthritis patients
For those living with debilitating arthritis of the hand (specifically, the trapeziometacarpal joint), Orthopaedic & Spine Center of the Rockies (OCR) is pleased to offer a solution this upcoming winter season. The Touch Dual Mobility CMC 1 Prosthesis, a technology developed in Europe and recently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, will soon be available to patients with symptomatic Eaton-Littler Stage II or III osteoarthritis.
Bret Peterson, MD, hand and upper extremity orthopedic surgeon
The dual mobility prosthetic device is implanted to replace the joint where the thumb meets the wrist. This joint helps the thumb move in different directions, allowing individuals to conduct everyday activities such as opening jars, turning keys, buttoning clothes, or gripping objects. The implant replaces the damaged joint with an artificial one. The device aims to relieve arthritis symptoms while allowing the thumb and hand to move and function fully.
“This technology has the potential to be an absolute gamechanger for patients. Beyond relieving the pain caused by arthritis, the Touch technology will allow patients to return to everyday activity with better thumb appearance, strength, and natural function than anything that has been designed for this problem before,” said Bret Peterson, MD, hand and upper extremity orthopedic surgeon at OCR.
Using a small ball-and-socket design, the base of the device moves within the socket to support thumb movement. The implant also includes a design called “dual mobility,” which provides movement at two points within the joint. This feature helps improve stability and reduce the chance of the joint slipping out of place. Using an incision about four centimeters long, the implant is uniquely positioned in the hand without bone cement.
“It’s exciting to offer this technology to patients in the Northern Colorado and Front Range region,” said Peterson. “It’s only been available to a few select academic institutions in the U.S. in the last year, so widely offering it to patients makes access easier and relief in sight.”
OCR will provide updates on our website and social media channels when this procedure becomes available. For those interested in assessing eligibility, patients can schedule an appointment by calling: 970-419-7050.