MIDDLETOWN – Middlesex Orthopedic & Spine Associates (MOSA) is the first in New England to offer an advanced thumb joint replacement procedure using the TOUCH® CMC 1 prosthesis for patients with arthritis.
Dr. Jeffrey Chen, hand and upper extremity surgeon at MOSA, performed the region’s first thumb carpometacarpal (CMC) joint replacement April 21.
CMC arthritis is one of the most common forms of hand osteoarthritis, affecting the base of the thumb and often leading to pain, weakness, and difficulty with everyday activities such as gripping objects.
The TOUCH® CMC 1 prosthesis is a ball-and-socket total joint replacement designed to replace the damaged thumb joint with an implant intended to replicate natural thumb movement while reducing pain and supporting a more efficient recovery in comparison to traditional surgical techniques.
“This procedure marks an important advancement in how we treat thumb arthritis,” said Dr. Chen. “Traditional surgery for this type of arthritis involves bone removal and can affect strength, endurance, and thumb length. This type of total joint replacement allows us to better restore the biomechanics of the thumb, helping patients regain natural function with a quicker recovery.”
Pamela, a patient from Fall River, Massachusetts, became the first patient in New England to undergo thumb joint replacement using that procedure. After years of living with arthritic pain in her hand that impacted her daily life and passion for art, she sought out the procedure after conservative treatments failed to provide long-term relief. Her research led her to Dr. Chen at MOSA.
“I was in pain to the point it was interrupting my daily life. It hurt to pull my covers up at night, to open doors and jars. I’m an artist. I paint and I draw… All kinds of things I gave up completely,” Pamela said. “I’m very surprised at how unpainful it is. Within 4-5 days, the hand that was operated on was less painful than the arthritis in my other hand… I have hope I can get back to my artwork.”
By introducing this procedure in Connecticut, MOSA continues to expand regional access to advanced hand and upper extremity care that prioritizes function, recovery, and long-term quality of life.
“Advances in orthopedic care continue to expand what is possible for patients living with conditions like thumb arthritis that affect millions of Americans,” siad Dr. David Hergan, Sports medicine & joint replacement surgeon and Chief Medical Officer at MOSA. “We are fortunate to have highly trained hand surgeons like Dr. Chen, whose expertise allows us to bring next-generation surgical techniques to our community and expand access to a broader range of treatment options.”
