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After a decade of use in Europe, the Touch Total CMC-1 implant (Medartis) has received FDA approval as the first total joint replacement for thumb carpometacarpal arthritis in the U.S. The dual-mobility, press-fit device is designed similarly to modern hip replacements. European data suggest 93–95% implant survival at 10 years, with better strength and recovery compared to traditional resection techniques.
After more than a decade of use in France and Belgium, the Touch Total CMC-1 implant (Medartis) has received FDA approval and is now the only total arthroplasty implant cleared in the U.S. for thumb carpometacarpal (CMC-1) joint arthritis. The device features a titanium stem, stainless-steel cup, and a dual-mobility polyethylene bearing — a design that closely mirrors modern hip replacements. Ideal candidates are patients with pain at the thumb base limiting grip and pinch, radiographic joint degeneration, and failure of non-surgical treatments.
The surgical technique involves careful preoperative planning with specific X-ray views, precise bone preparation of both the metacarpal and trapezium, and thorough soft tissue releases. Postoperative recovery includes a soft support for 2 weeks, followed by a range-of-motion program, with full strength and activity resumption after 6 weeks.
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Why it matters: This implant gives U.S. surgeons and patients a new, durable option for thumb arthritis — a condition that significantly impacts daily function. With outcomes data from Europe suggesting superior recovery and longevity over traditional resection techniques, it could reshape how orthopedic surgeons approach CMC-1 arthritis treatment.
