Columbus, Ohio – In July, Dr. Stephen Berling, an orthopedic hand surgeon with OhioHealth, became the first physician in the state to perform a newly approved thumb joint replacement procedure. The surgery, which uses a specialized implant rather than removing bone, promises a dramatically shorter recovery for patients suffering from thumb carpometacarpal arthritis.
What the new procedure entails
The implant functions like a miniature hip replacement for the thumb. It consists of a cup placed in the joint and a stem that extends into the metacarpal bone, providing immediate stability and motion. “Previously, this would be the bone you’d be removing,” Dr. Berling explained. “Now we put a cup, like in a hip, and a stem that goes up into the metacarpal, allowing you to use it right away.”
Patient experience
Julia Brown, who has endured severe pain in both thumbs for roughly two and a half years, was the first Ohio patient to receive the implant. Brown, a former medical assistant turned author and caretaker, described the pre‑surgery pain as “tremendous” and said it limited everyday tasks despite still being able to use her hands.
After the 45‑minute outpatient procedure, Brown reported a rapid return to normal function. “I can use my left hand normally and no longer feel the same pain,” she said. She added that the thumb feels “like a thumb” again, contrasting it with the lingering awareness she has after a knee replacement.
Recovery time compared to traditional surgery
Traditional thumb arthritis surgery often requires six to nine months of recovery. Dr. Berling estimates the new implant reduces that timeline to six to nine weeks. “The biggest thing is it gets people back to life a lot faster, preserves strength quicker, and makes the thumb feel like a thumb a lot faster without the pain,” he said.
Broader impact and future plans
The implant has been used in Europe for about a decade and received FDA approval last year. While it does not eliminate the need for surgery in severe cases, the procedure is designed to preserve strength and restore motion more quickly than the traditional operation.
Berling noted that several patients who have had the implant on one hand have already scheduled surgery for the opposite thumb. Brown herself is slated for the same procedure on her right thumb later this fall.
Local significance
By bringing this advanced technique to Ohio, Dr. Berling expands treatment options for residents suffering from thumb arthritis, a condition that can severely limit the ability to perform everyday tasks. The shorter recovery period also reduces time away from work and family responsibilities, aligning with the community’s values of strong families and personal liberty.
OhioHealth plans to continue offering the procedure as more patients become eligible, providing a modern solution that blends surgical innovation with the practical needs of Columbus families.
Original reporting: WOWO News/Talk (Fort Wayne) — read the source article.
