Thumbs up: New thumb joint replacement surgery relieves arthritis pain

From uchicagomedicine.org

The osteoarthritis pain in Mary Wolf’s left thumb was so sharp and intense, it sometimes woke her up in the middle of the night.

It throbbed when she tried to grip or pinch things, making two of her favourite activities — cooking and knitting — nearly impossible.

Daily tasks were also tough: To close a sandwich bag, she would have to tuck it under her left arm and use her “good” right thumb to help zip it shut.

Steroid shots every four months brought temporary relief over a period of three years, but they became less effective over time.

“The pain was ridiculously impacting my life,” said Wolf, 63, a retired fifth grade teacher.

Last spring, Wolf found new hope.

Jeffrey G. Stepan, MD, MSc, her orthopaedic surgeon at the University of Chicago Medicine, became one of only a few hand surgeons in the United States to train on an innovative new implant surgery that replaces a patient’s arthritic thumb joint with a small, prosthetic version.

When the surgery became available at UChicago Medicine in May 2026, Wolf didn’t hesitate.

“I said, ‘Sign me up,’” she said. “I had to do something drastic to change this.”

How does a thumb osteoarthritis implant work?

Thumb osteoarthritis, which causes joint pain at the base of the thumb, is a common condition that affects millions of Americans. It occurs when the protective cartilage that cushions the end of the bones wears away, causing bones to rub against one another.

It’s most common in people over age 50, and it affects women more often than men, according to the American Society for Surgery for the Hand, a medical specialty society.

Treatment starts with a thumb brace, hand therapy and steroid injections.

If the thumb pain persists, patients may choose to have thumb carpometacarpal joint trapeziectomy — a surgery that involves removing the arthritic joint. Although the surgery is effective and has high satisfaction rates, recovery can be painful and take 6 to 9 months, Stepan said.

Meanwhile, doctors in Europe have been performing a simpler and more efficient version of this surgery, using an implant called TOUCH CMC 1 Prosthesis, since 2018.

“Instead of removing the arthritic joint, they were replacing the joint with this implant,” Stepan explained.

Patients who had this implant were pain-free and regained thumb movement in less than six weeks, Stepan said. But the implant, which uses a ball-and-socket design, wasn’t approved for use in the U.S.

When Stepan heard that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration was going to approve this implant, he flew to France in April 2026 to learn how to do the surgery. He is one of only a handful of surgeons in the U.S. who are trained and approved to perform this surgery.

Thumb osteoporosis joint replacement surgery ‘absolutely life-changing’

Wolf had her surgery at the University of Chicago Medical Center in Hyde Park on May 20, 2026, and she was in and out of the hospital in less than five hours.

She received twilight anaesthesia and a nerve block in her shoulder, so she didn’t have feeling in her left arm for 24 hours. But she experienced no side effects. She wore a splint to immobilize her thumb for two weeks, but she was able to move it in “teeny circles” without pain just two days after the surgery.

“I haven’t had any pain since that first night,” she said. “The surgery was absolutely life-changing.”

Since then, Wolf has resumed her cooking and blanket-knitting project.

Stepan, who performed his third thumb osteoporosis joint implant surgery in June, said the option is available for anyone who has struggled with pain in the base of their thumb and wasn’t helped by standard treatments.

“Patients are quickly getting back their strength and getting back their motion,” he said. “Everyone’s been doing really well.”

 https://www.uchicagomedicine.org/forefront/orthopaedics-articles/new-thumb-joint-replacement-surgery

How to soothe thumb pain when texting and scrolling

From wral.com

NEW YORK (AP) — Do your hands hurt when you use your phone? All that texting and scrolling might be stressing out your fingers.

The term texting thumb can describe a wide range of phone-related pains caused by tired-out tendons and achy joints — like general stiffness, throbbing near the knuckle and a clicking sensation when bending the thumb. If left untreated, repetitive typing and swiping can lead to more serious issues like carpal tunnel and arthritis.

People have pecked away at devices for decades with warnings about overuse injuries — think BlackBerry thumb. Today's smartphones have gotten larger and heavier, and the way we use them has also shifted: Beyond talking and texting, it's common to doomscroll for hours, pay medical bills and even watch full-length movies and TV shows.

“Mobile devices are here to stay. So rather than saying ‘you can’t be on your device,' we really just need to learn and think about ways to make the devices compatible with modern life,” said Dr. Maureen O'Shaughnessy with the University of Kentucky HealthCare Hand Center.

                                                                                                                      AP Photo, File

To avoid texter's thumb, switch up your posture

Locking wrists and elbows in the same position for hours can lead to soreness in places like the base of the thumb or wrist. Holding phones upright for long periods can also tire other fingers.

O'Shaughnessy said people tend to realize the painful effects when they're not on their device as much, such as being on vacation. That is when phone-related irritation or dull aches go away.

The simplest way to ease this pain is to go touch grass — that is, limit phone time or take short breaks in between scrolling spurts. But that's easier said than done. If a detox feels difficult, try to mix up postures, switch hands to type and use the index or other fingers.

Built-in accessibility features can also minimize thumb overuse. Try sending messages using the voice-to-text feature and enlarge the text size so you don’t have to hold the phone so close.

There are also circle and ring-shaped grip accessories that attach to the back of the phone and more evenly distribute the weight across the hand. They can also double as a stand to prop up your phone to watch videos and TV.

Simple thumb and wrist stretches can offer relief

If your hands are throbbing after a long day of screen time, stretch them out daily. Flex the wrist by tilting your palm toward and away from you, pulling and pushing down with the other hand. O'Shaughnessy also recommended flexing each of the fingers and making small circles with your thumbs.

For pain at the base of the thumb, you can place your hand on a flat surface and pull the thumb away from the other fingers, holding that for about 30 seconds.

If the aches, numbing or tingling persist even after limiting screen time and using remedies like ibuprofen or ice, see a doctor to see if it could be something more serious.

Constant phone use can exacerbate thumb arthritis or cause De Quervain's tenosynovitis — sharp pain or swelling at the base of the thumb and wrist. It can also lead to carpal tunnel, caused by a pinched nerve. Trigger thumb, a painful catching in the thumb when you bend it, is caused by an inflamed tendon.

It's easy to get trapped in an endless cycle of scrolling and swiping. Taking a quick, intentional break to adjust posture can still make a difference.

“Our hands were not designed to use phones all day long,” said Dr. Eugene Tsai, a surgeon at Cedars-Sinai Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine. “In order for us to use the phones, we have to be kind to our hands.”

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

https://www.wral.com/news/ap/35728-one-tech-tip-how-to-soothe-thumb-pain-when-texting-and-scrolling/

Western research could expand remote access to care for thumb arthritis

From news.westernu.ca

Professor Joy MacDermid leading project funded by Ignite Innovation Grant to provide more equitable care 

The burning, grinding pain of thumb arthritis disrupts daily life for one in four older adults in Canada. Thumb splints can reduce pain and improve hand function, and now, a Western University researcher in London, Ont. is working to bring custom 3D-printed splints to patients who can’t access specialist clinics.

Joy MacDermid, a physiotherapy professor in the Faculty of Health Sciences and a member of Western’s Bone and Joint Institute, received an Ignite Innovation Grant from the Arthritis Society of Canada to fund the second phase of her study. It will improve care for people with thumb arthritis, a condition that occurs when cartilage breaks down in the carpometacarpal joint at the base of the thumb, causing pain, stiffness and weakened grip.

“We see a lot of women over 50 with thumb arthritis, especially those doing physical work,” MacDermid said. “They struggle with daily activities like turning a key or caring for grandchildren.” 

The current standard of care requires a hand therapist to see the patient in person, assess their hand and mold a thermoplastic splint directly onto it. Though a proven process, it depends on physical proximity to a specialist clinic. MacDermid and her team are devising a new solution that doesn’t require in-person visits. 

Splints improve joint alignment in thumb arthritis

As co-director of the clinical research lab at Roth | McFarlane Hand & Upper Limb Centre (Roth | McFarlane) and a scientist at Lawson Research Institute (Lawson) of St. Joseph’s Health Care London, MacDermid leads researchers studying how to measure, predict and reduce upper extremity disability.    

Marjan Saeedi, a physical therapy PhD candidate, is part of the team at Roth | McFarlane. 

“Over time, the CMC joint becomes unstable and misaligned due to cartilage degeneration, affecting the ligaments and muscles as well. Because we use our thumbs constantly, the misalignment and pain worsens,” she said. “A splint helps support joint alignment. It’s even helpful following joint replacement surgery.”   

Western engineering professor and Lawson scientist Louis Ferreira led an earlier Mitacs-funded study with MacDermid and Belgian industry partner Orfit to develop a remote splint-making process using new materials and new 3D hand-scanning technology: an iPhone scanning app or a custom scanner developed in Ferreira’s bioengineering lab. Without the patient being present, the scans captured the precise measurements needed to fabricate 3D-printed custom splints.

MacDermid’s team also developed a clinical app to remotely assess a patient’s pain levels, hand function and splint requirements, replicating the intake process normally done in person. The prototypes made with the new process showed promise.  

“The question now is whether people can use the new methods in routine clinical practice,” MacDermid said. 

Implementing, testing the innovative thumb splint 

MacDermid is leading an Arthritis Society Ignite Grant evaluating how hand therapists use the new process and how patients respond to the 3D-printed splints compared to conventional ones. Her team hopes to scale up the new process by running workshops to train hand therapists at Roth | McFarlane and in community-based clinics across London, Ont. They’re also evaluating scanners that offer more precision than iPhone apps, without the cost of their custom device. 

Patient wearing (top) 3D-printed thumb splints and (bottom) traditionally fabricated splints. (Submitted)

In the trial of the 3D-printed solution, patients receive both a traditionally fabricated splint and a digitally produced one, wearing each for six weeks while researchers assess hand strength, pain levels and patient preference.

“Most were really eager to try the 3D-printed version,” said Saeedi. “The perforations from the printing process improve air circulation, and female patients liked its smaller size and the option to choose the colour, making it like an accessory on their hand.” 

Saeedi is writing her dissertation on what makes patients adhere to consistent use of their splints. Pain relief and comfort top the list, though she has also documented a motivator outside of its main clinical use. 

“Patients say, ‘I can wear it when my grandchildren are around or on public transit, without worrying about pain or further injury if it gets bumped or jostled’,” Saeedi said. “That sense of protection helps keep them using it.” 

Addressing access barriers in thumb arthritis treatment 

The remotely designed, 3D-printed splint is not intended to replace traditional care, but to remove barriers to accessing care.   

“Some of our clients are driving from Owen Sound or Sarnia or Windsor, in the middle of winter,” MacDermid said. “In the future, if their splint gets damaged or their hand changes, we would be able to reprint it from the pattern in our system and mail it to them – no return trip needed.” 

(L to R) Western PhD candidate Marjan Saeedi; Western postdoctoral student and co-principal investigator, Maryam Farzad; research co-ordinator at the Roth | McFarlane Hand and Upper Limb Centre, Katrina Munro; and principal investigator and Western physiotherapy professor Joy MacDermid are part of a research team that aims to make 3D-printed thumb splints accessible to patients no matter where they live. (Colleen MacDonald/Western News)

The Ignite Grant includes funding for MacDermid’s team to adapt their process to make splints for patients recovering from surgery or injections to treat Dupuytren’s contracture, a separate hand condition that causes fingers to permanently bend inward due to thickening and shortening of connective tissue in the palm.  

MacDermid attributes the project’s success from the beginning to contributions from many grad students and postdoctoral scholars across faculties, including those Ferreira supervised. 

“This project is genuinely interdisciplinary. We simply can’t do the clinical work without the engineering, and vice versa,” she said. 

MacDermid says the future of the project could reach communities with some clinical infrastructure but no hand specialist. Going further still, with the help of AI-assisted remote scanning, the process would enable people in remote locations like the Arctic, with no local clinical support at all, to access custom splints.  

For now, the project is already attracting interest from therapists in other provinces who want to attend the workshops. 

“That would be a substantial accomplishment to spread a working clinical process across Canada,” MacDermid said. “This technology could make a real difference for people who currently aren’t getting care at all due to distance, disability or the absence of specialist care.” 

https://news.westernu.ca/2026/06/western-research-3d-printed-splints-thumb-arthritis/

Ending the pain, getting strength back when thumb arthritis develops

From 6abc.com/post

WYNNEWOOD, Pennsylvania (WPVI) -- When arthritis affects the thumb, it makes everything from getting dressed to making a meal miserable. Now, a Main Line Health specialist has surgery that can help those who've reached the end of the line.

"It's difficult to open a jar, open a bottle, button a blouse," says Sandy Geathers of Wynnefield.

Sandy was in pain every time she used her right thumb. She struggled for several years before getting to Dr. Phil Petrucelli at Lankenau Medical Center.

They tried a brace, then cortisone shots, but the relief didn't last. She had hoped to avoid surgery.

"The pain got to the point where I came in, I just threw my hands up, and said - I'm ready," says Sandy.

Dr. Petrucelli says the hand has 27 joints, and like knees and hips, all are lined with cartilage.

"The cartilage provides that smooth surface for them. With arthritis, over time, you lose that cartilage. And what you eventually get are the bones grinding against each other," he says.

With pain comes a loss of strength, and over time, a bone can slide out of the joint.

The doctor's first step is a brace to immobilize the base of the thumb and prevent the grinding. He also uses oral anti-inflammatory medications - and the spice turmeric.

"They've done a lot of scientific studies that have shown that it has anti-inflammatory properties," says Dr. Petrucelli.

If those and cortisone shots fail, it's time for surgery.

"A trapeziectomy - Where you go in and remove that arthritic bone entirely," he explains.

Dr. Petrucelli keeps the thumb in its space with a special suture anchored to the bone below your index finger.

"Studies have shown there's about a 92% success rate," he says.

The challenge is the three to four month recovery: one month of completely immobilizing the thumb, then two months working on range of motion and strength.

Sandy says it was all worth it.

"The pain is gone. I can do the things that I couldn't do before, things that you take for granted," she says.

She's now going through preliminary treatments for arthritis in her left thumb. She hopes surgery won't be needed, but she's ready for it, if it is.

https://6abc.com/post/ahead-philly-ending-pain-getting-strength-back-when-thumb-arthritis-develops/16495419/ 

How To Relieve Arthritis Pain in Your Thumb

From health.clevelandclinic.org

From heating pads and ice to exercises and splints, find the relief that works for you 

When arthritis takes hold in your thumb, actions you may have taken for granted can become more challenging. Opening jars, turning doorknobs or carrying a dinner plate can become monumental — and sometimes painful — feats.

Osteoarthritis of the hand is the second most common type of arthritis in the United States, second only to arthritis in the knee.

Osteoarthritis is commonly seen in the thumb joint where your thumb meets your wrist — also known as your carpometacarpal (CMC) or basal joint. Your CMC joint is responsible for things you commonly use your hand for without even realizing it — the swivelling, pivoting and pinching when you grip items in your hand.

There are a lot of myths about arthritis, so we talked with orthopaedic surgeon David Shapiro, MD, and occupational therapist Patty Shimko, OTR/L, about the signs of arthritis in the thumb and how you can find relief.

Signs you may have arthritis in your thumb 

The symptoms of thumb arthritis can limit your hand function and make everyday tasks difficult. 

“When osteoarthritis causes the cartilage to wear away, the shock- and impact-absorbing function of the cartilage is lost,” Dr. Shapiro says. “The bones can rub against each other, causing stiffness and pain.” 

If you’re living with arthritis in your thumb, you may have:

• Swelling, stiffness, tenderness or pain in your bottom-most thumb joint, at the base of your thumb or in the palm of your hand near your thumb.
• Pain with activities that involve gripping or pinching, like opening a jar or buttoning a shirt.
• Aching or discomfort after prolonged use of your hand.
• An enlarged thumb joint. 
• A bony bump on your bottom thumb joint that limits your motion.

Who’s most likely to get thumb arthritis? 

Osteoarthritis is commonly seen in people over the age of 50. Rheumatoid arthritis typically first appears between the ages of 35 and 50. 

Anyone can develop arthritis in the hand, but it affects women and people assigned female at birth (AFAB) five times more frequently than men and people assigned male at birth (AMAB), Dr. Shapiro says.  

“Women and people AFAB seem to have more joint laxity (looser joints), which leads to malalignment of the joint, cartilage wear, arthritis and pain,” Dr. Shapiro notes. 

If you’ve had fractures to your hand or thumb or a history of other injuries in the area, you may also be at a higher risk for developing arthritis. Contrary to popular folklore, cracking your knuckles — while cringe-worthy — doesn’t put you at risk for arthritis.

How to tell if you have arthritis in your thumb  

If you suspect arthritis may be the cause of your thumb pain, talk with a healthcare provider. X-rays can show if you have a loss of bone cartilage and the formation of bone spurs that indicate arthritis. Your healthcare provider may also do a blood test to determine if the cause is rheumatoid arthritis.  

At-home treatment for thumb arthritis pain 

There are a few treatments you can try at home to relieve pain in your thumb from arthritis. Dr. Shapiro suggests: 

• Using a heating pad for five to 15 minutes a few times a day. Some people prefer ice to relieve their pain. Try them both to see what works for you. 
• Taking acetaminophen (Tylenol®) and/or a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication (such as Advil®). Dr. Shapiro says using both in combination is sometimes very effective and allows you to use less of each individual medication. 
• Taking paraffin baths (a use of warm wax to relieve joint and tissue pain). 
• Applying topical arthritis creams. 

Splints can also provide some pain relief, Dr. Shapiro says. Try a soft splint, similar to a biking glove with a strap that stabilises your thumb. Hard plastic splints, either custom-made or off the shelf, might also help increase your function and relieve some pain. 

Take the weight off your thumbs 

Shimko also suggests these practical ways to take some of the burden off your hands: 

• Use an electric or battery-operated can opener. 
• Avoid repetitive activities such as using scissors or sewing. 
• “Build up” the handles on your kitchen utensils and gardening tools so you don’t have to grip them as tightly. A popular way to do this is with foam tubing. 
• Use a speaker phone when you can for talking on the phone.   
• Use a bag or backpack, rather than carrying things in your arms, when you can. 
• Squeeze excess water from a washcloth or clothing by wrapping it around a faucet and squeezing gently, rather than wringing it out. 

Exercises for thumb arthritis relief 

Exercising your thumb and hands can bring some relief from arthritis pain and help you maintain motion and strength in your hands. Shimko offers these four exercises that can help relieve pain from thumb arthritis:

1. Use your fingers of one hand to softly massage the fleshy part below your thumb on your other hand. 
2. Gently bend the bottommost knuckle of your thumb so it moves toward your palm and then away from your palm.  
3. Without using your other hand, gently move your thumb as far away from your other fingers as you can, trying to form the letter “L” with your index finger and your thumb. 
4. Tap each of your fingers to your thumb, one at a time.

What about supplements like glucosamine or chondroitin? 

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) doesn’t review or approve supplements. Supplements aren’t required to undergo the same rigorous clinical trial methods that medications must pass. But some clinical trials show glucosamine or chondroitin can improve pain for some people, but there isn’t any proof that these supplements slow the progression of osteoarthritis. Talk with a healthcare provider before using supplements. They may interfere with medications you currently take. 

However, some foods like green tea, fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids, nuts and whole grains could help relieve your pain. 

Additional help for thumb arthritis 

If home treatments aren’t doing the trick, it may be time to talk with a doctor about your arthritis pain. Your doctor may recommend some additional medical interventions.

Steroid injections 

Steroid (cortisone) injections may help. While individual physicians will manage this differently, one or two injections are usually worth a try and may provide lasting relief, Dr. Shapiro says. 

Surgery 

If nonsurgical treatment is no longer effective and your pain is overwhelming, surgery might be an option. 

Ligament reconstruction and tendon interposition (LRTI) surgery is the gold standard for surgical treatment of basal joint arthritis, Dr. Shapiro says.

LRTI involves the removal of your trapezium (a bone in your wrist located just below your thumb). A “spare” tendon from your forearm is then used to stabilize your thumb. The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis. People usually wear a splint or cast for up to six weeks, typically followed by a course of occupational therapy. 

“LRTI provides 95% pain relief and about 70% to 80% return of grip strength,” Dr. Shapiro states. “While complete recovery can take a while, most patients end up much more functional, and much happier after the operation than before.”

Arthritis can be a real pain in the … thumb. While common, arthritis pain in your thumb can make everyday tasks more difficult. Talk to your healthcare provider about ways to make your daily tasks easier and your options for relief.  

https://health.clevelandclinic.org/losing-your-grip-how-to-treat-your-thumb-arthritis/