The TOUCH® CMC 1 Prosthesis

The TOUCH CMC 1 prosthesis is a new, cutting-edge FDA-approved joint replacement procedure used to treat thumb carpometacarpal, or CMC, arthritis. It offers an alternative to traditional procedures that remove the trapezium, one of the small wrist bones that forms the arthritic joint at the base of the thumb.

Rather than removing the joint, the TOUCH procedure replaces the damaged surfaces with an artificial joint designed to reproduce the thumb’s natural mechanics. The prosthesis functions as a miniature ball-and-socket joint, allowing movement in multiple directions while preserving the thumb’s length and structure.

The goal of TOUCH CMC joint replacement is not simply to relieve arthritis pain but to restore a stable, mobile joint that allows the thumb to move and function more naturally. Studies of the implant have demonstrated excellent improvements in pain, strength, motion, and hand function. Studies show this new implant delivers excellent short- and long-term results, restoring more normal motion and strength than traditional procedures.

What is the TOUCH CMC prosthesis?

The TOUCH CMC prosthesis is an artificial joint specifically designed to replace the carpometacarpal (CMC) joint at the base of the thumb. Its ball-and-socket design creates a new joint that lets the thumb continue moving in multiple planes.

How does the TOUCH procedure differ from traditional thumb CMC surgery?

Many traditional operations for advanced thumb CMC arthritis involve removing the trapezium, the small wrist bone. Surgeons may then use different techniques to stabilize or suspend the thumb after removing the bone.

These procedures have been used successfully for many years, but removing the trapezium changes the anatomy at the base of the thumb. The space the bone previously occupied must heal and stabilize, and the thumb may shorten as the tissues settle.

The TOUCH procedure takes a different approach.

Instead of removing the trapezium, the procedure replaces the damaged CMC joint. Components are placed within the trapezium and the base of the thumb metacarpal to create an artificial joint. This preserves the thumb’s natural length and more closely recreates the mechanics of the original CMC joint.

Preserving the thumb’s structure may also help maintain leverage during pinching and gripping, which is particularly important for patients who want to regain strength while reducing pain.

What are the potential advantages of the TOUCH CMC prosthesis?

The primary goal of any surgery for thumb CMC arthritis is to relieve pain and improve hand function. Joint replacement provides several potential advantages because the arthritic joint is reconstructed rather than removed.

• Preserving the trapezium maintains the thumb’s natural length. The ball-and-socket design also allows movement that more closely resembles the original CMC joint.
• Another potential advantage is faster recovery. Because Dr. Kavi Sachar replaces the joint rather than removing the trapezium and relying on the surrounding tissues to stabilize the thumb, patients may regain useful motion and function sooner than they would following a traditional procedure.

This does not mean that recovery is immediate. The bone and soft tissues still need time to heal securely around the prosthesis, and patients must gradually increase activity.

Who is a candidate for the TOUCH prosthesis?

The TOUCH prosthesis may be considered for patients with symptomatic thumb CMC arthritis whose pain and loss of function have become significant enough to consider surgery.

Because the prosthesis must be securely supported by bone, adequate bone quality is particularly important. The condition of the trapezium, the extent and location of arthritis, thumb alignment, joint stability, age, activity level, and other hand-related conditions can all influence whether joint replacement is appropriate.

Dr. Sachar will review X-rays and examine the thumb to determine whether the TOUCH prosthesis or another surgical procedure best suits the individual patient. Careful patient selection and accurate implant positioning are key to successful CMC joint replacement.

What happens during TOUCH CMC joint replacement?

During surgery, the arthritic surfaces of the thumb CMC joint are carefully prepared while preserving the trapezium.

The surgeon places one component into the trapezium and secures another in the first metacarpal. These components connect to form the new artificial joint.

Once the components are in place, Dr. Sachar evaluates the reconstructed joint’s movement and stability before completing the procedure.

The result is a new CMC joint that maintains the structural relationship between the thumb and wrist.

What is recovery like after TOUCH CMC joint replacement?

After surgery, the thumb is protected while the incision, soft tissues, and bone begin to heal. Some swelling, stiffness, and discomfort are normal during the early stages of recovery.

Patients typically begin gradually restoring thumb and hand movement according to Dr. Sachar’s postoperative protocol. Hand therapy may be recommended to improve motion, reduce stiffness, and progressively rebuild strength and function.

Recovery occurs in stages. The initial goal is to protect the reconstruction and regain controlled movement. Strengthening and more demanding activities are introduced later.

What results can patients expect?

Clinical studies of the TOUCH prosthesis have demonstrated substantial improvements in pain, thumb movement, pinch strength, and overall hand function. Published follow-up studies also report high patient satisfaction.

One distinguishing feature of CMC joint replacement is that it improves function without eliminating joint movement. The goal is to relieve arthritis pain while maintaining a mobile, functional thumb.

This matters because the CMC joint plays an important role in nearly every activity that requires the hand to grasp, pinch, hold, or manipulate an object.

Is the TOUCH prosthesis right for you?

The TOUCH CMC prosthesis represents a different approach to treating thumb CMC arthritis. Instead of removing the arthritic joint and letting the surrounding tissues compensate for the missing trapezium, the procedure replaces the damaged joint while preserving the thumb’s anatomy and length.

For appropriately selected patients, this approach can significantly reduce pain while restoring movement, strength, stability, and hand function.

Dr. Sachar will evaluate arthritis severity, the condition of the trapezium and surrounding joints, bone quality, thumb stability, activity demands, and personal treatment goals to determine the most appropriate procedure for each patient.

Dr. Sachar is located at The Steadman Clinic in Vail, Frisco, and Basalt, Colorado. Contact Dr. Kavi Sachar today to schedule a consultation with an expert hand surgeon. Dr. Sachar regularly sees patients from Denver and throughout the U.S.