Health & Science

Something as simple as turning a key, opening a jar or gripping a steering wheel can become a painful challenge for someone living with thumb arthritis. Now, patients in Katy and surrounding West Houston communities have access to a newer surgical option close to home, thanks to a milestone procedure performed at Houston Methodist West Hospital.

The hospital has successfully completed its first TOUCH thumb carpometacarpal (CMC) joint replacement, becoming the first in the greater Katy area to offer the innovative procedure. The surgery is designed to treat basal joint arthritis, a condition that affects the joint at the base of the thumb and can gradually make ordinary tasks increasingly difficult.

For patients who have struggled with persistent thumb pain, limited grip strength or difficulty using their hands, the procedure introduces another treatment option that aims to preserve the thumb's natural structure while improving mobility and function.

How the New Thumb Joint Replacement Surgery Works

Thumb carpometacarpal arthritis, also known as basal joint arthritis or thumb CMC arthritis, develops when the cartilage cushioning the joint at the base of the thumb wears down. The condition can cause pain, stiffness, swelling and weakness, particularly during activities that require pinching or gripping.

Because the thumb plays such an important role in everyday hand movements, even routine activities like buttoning clothing, preparing meals, writing or carrying groceries can become frustrating.

Traditional surgical treatment for advanced thumb arthritis often involves removing part or all of the trapezium, a small bone located at the base of the thumb, and reconstructing or stabilizing the joint. Although these procedures can provide significant pain relief, they may also result in thumb shortening, changes in joint mechanics, deformity or reduced strength.

The TOUCH thumb joint replacement takes a different approach.

Rather than removing the arthritic joint, the procedure replaces it with an artificial implant designed to preserve the thumb's length and anatomy. The goal is to maintain more natural joint movement while improving strength, stability and overall hand function.

The implant features a dual-mobility design intended to improve stability and address some of the complications associated with earlier generations of thumb joint replacement devices.

According to Houston Methodist, the TOUCH implant has been used in Europe for more than a decade, with published studies reporting approximately 90% implant survival after 10 years. While those findings are encouraging, individual outcomes can vary, and patients should discuss the potential benefits and risks with their surgeon.

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Katy Orthopedic Surgeon Brings Specialized Training and New Technology to Houston Methodist West

The procedure was performed by Dr. Corinne Cloud, an orthopedic surgeon at Houston Methodist West Hospital, who is the first surgeon in the greater Katy area and the second within the Houston Methodist system to offer the TOUCH thumb joint replacement.

Before bringing the technology to Katy, Cloud completed specialized training in Switzerland to learn the surgical technique.

“After reviewing the long-term clinical outcomes, I was excited to incorporate the TOUCH implant into my practice,” said Cloud. “The data demonstrates encouraging implant survivorship and a relatively low complication rate, with studies also showing improvements in pain and time to recovery compared with traditional procedures.”

Cloud explained that earlier thumb CMC joint replacement implants historically experienced relatively high complication and failure rates, which limited how widely surgeons adopted the technology.

The TOUCH implant's updated design seeks to address those challenges, providing another option for patients who may benefit from joint replacement rather than traditional reconstructive surgery.

“As a hand surgeon, I am always looking to expand my surgical armamentarium with evidence-based techniques,” said Cloud. “The TOUCH implant represents an exciting advancement in our ability to achieve those goals.”

What This Means for Katy and West Houston Patients Living With Thumb Arthritis

For residents of Katy, Cinco Ranch, Fulshear, Richmond and surrounding West Houston neighborhoods, the addition of TOUCH thumb joint replacement surgery at Houston Methodist West Hospital means access to another specialized orthopedic treatment without necessarily having to travel farther into Houston.

That can be particularly meaningful for patients whose arthritis has progressed to the point that everyday activities are affected.

Thumb arthritis can interfere with work, hobbies and household responsibilities, whether someone spends the day typing, working with tools, gardening, cooking or caring for family members. For many patients, the concern goes beyond pain. It is also about maintaining independence and continuing to do the things they enjoy.

The new procedure expands the surgical options available locally, although it will not be appropriate for every patient with thumb arthritis.

Treatment typically depends on the severity of the condition, the patient's overall health, activity level and response to nonsurgical care. Conservative treatments, including splinting, activity modifications, medications and injections, may be considered before surgery.

Patients experiencing persistent pain at the base of the thumb, weakness when gripping objects or difficulty performing everyday tasks can consult a qualified hand specialist to determine whether further evaluation is needed.

Although published research on the TOUCH implant has shown promising results, the technology is not a guarantee of restored strength or pain-free movement. As with other joint replacement procedures, patients should understand the possibility of complications, implant failure and future revision surgery.

Houston Methodist West Hospital Continues Expanding Specialized Care in Katy

Houston Methodist West Hospital is part of the Houston Methodist health system, which provides hospital-based and specialty medical care throughout the Greater Houston area.

Katy and West Houston patients who need specialized hand surgery now have another option close to home. With the introduction of the TOUCH procedure at Houston Methodist West Hospital, local patients can access a thumb joint replacement technique that has been used in Europe for more than a decade, without having to travel outside the area for treatment.

While the procedure's long-term performance and suitability must be evaluated for each patient, its arrival gives local hand surgeons another tool for treating a condition that can significantly affect quality of life.

For someone who has spent years struggling to open a jar, hold a coffee cup or turn a doorknob without pain, having another treatment option available nearby may be an important development.

Residents interested in learning more about orthopedic care, hand arthritis treatment or thumb joint replacement surgery can visit Houston Methodist for information about its specialists and services.

Stay tuned to My Neighborhood News for the latest healthcare news, medical advancements and treatment options that matter to Katy and West Houston residents and their families.

By Tiffany Krenek, My Neighborhood News 

Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.

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