Patients with advanced arthritis at the base of the thumb have a new treatment option to help relieve painful,
quality-of-life-limiting symptoms. Willis Knighton Health is the first healthcare organization in the region to
offer TOUCH® CMC 1 Prosthesis for thumb joint replacement. Diego A. Miranda, MD, a specialist in hand and
wrist surgery at Willis Knighton Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine Bossier, is leading its introduction locally. He
trained directly with surgeons in Europe, where this advanced treatment has been successfully utilized for
more than a decade.
“I believe this is game-changing for our patients who suffer very common thumb arthritis,” Dr. Miranda said.
“It gives them an option for early to moderate arthritis when conservative treatment fails. Not only does it
reduce pain, it also restores function and preserves the normal shape of the thumb with faster recovery.”
Unlike traditional treatments that require complete removal of the trapezium bone, the TOUCH® CMC 1
Prosthesis keeps the trapezium bone intact, replacing the damaged joint with a dual-mobility ball-and-socket
implant. The state-of-the-art design preserves natural thumb length, improves joint stability and restores
natural strength and movement.
The procedure takes about an hour and is typically performed as an outpatient surgery. Thanks to the
minimally invasive nature of the design, patients can usually resume normal activities within six weeks.
Thumb arthritis happens when cartilage wears away from the ends of the bones that form the joint at the
base of the thumb. It is the second most common type of hand arthritis, affecting between 25 percent and 33
percent of adults over the age of 50, mostly women. The condition causes pain, stiffness and swelling,
weakening the thumb and making simple daily tasks like opening jars, turning keys, gripping objects and
pinching painful and frustrating.
To learn more or to schedule a consultation with Dr. Miranda, contact Willis Knighton Orthopaedics & Sports
Medicine Bossier.