LIBERTY LAKE, Wash. — Residents of the Inland Northwest now have a local option for a thumb joint replacement that restores pain‑free motion. The TOUCH prosthesis, approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2025, is being performed at Northwest Specialty Hospital by hand surgeon Dr. Chad Turner.
Local patients share their recovery stories
Hal Thompson, a longtime fisherman, described living with constant, excruciating pain from osteoarthritis that made simple tasks like writing and casting a line impossible. After seeing an advertisement for the TOUCH procedure, he called Dr. Turner and asked, “Can you get me back to where I can go fishing again?” The surgeon assured him it was possible within a few months. Two months after surgery, Thompson returned to Lake Roosevelt, landed three large fish, and reported, “No pain – just amazing.”
Jayme Brin, a mother of one, struggled to hold cards, cook, clean, and care for her son because her thumb pain was severe enough to bring her to tears. She chose the procedure after learning about it from a local news source. Although the first day after surgery was uncomfortable, Brin was ready for a second thumb operation by the third day. After both thumbs were treated, she said, “Even playing cards became easy again. It was wonderful.”
How the prosthesis works
Dr. Turner explained that the implant mimics a ball‑and‑socket joint. A stem is placed in the first metacarpal bone, topped with a head and neck. A plastic ball moves on a metal ball, which fits into a cup inserted into the trapezium bone. This design allows full range of motion, giving patients the ability to grip, pinch and rotate their thumb as they did before arthritis set in.
Why the procedure matters for the community
For many in the Pacific Northwest, hand function is essential for work, recreation and family life. The ability to fish, play cards, garden or perform household chores without pain supports both personal well‑being and local economies that rely on outdoor and craft activities. Dr. Turner emphasized his personal stake, noting, “As a hand surgeon I would want this surgery for my own thumbs, and I also do pottery, so pain‑free thumbs matter to me.”
Growing popularity and future outlook
Since its FDA approval, the TOUCH prosthesis has seen increasing adoption nationwide. Dr. Turner said the hospital is proud to be among the regional leaders offering the procedure, helping patients avoid traveling long distances for specialized care. As more residents experience successful outcomes, demand is expected to continue rising, providing a valuable medical option within the community.
Patients who have undergone the surgery are encouraged to share their experiences, demonstrating the functional benefits of the prosthesis. As one patient put it, “I give Doctor Turner and his staff a double thumbs up.”
Original reporting: KHQ Spokane (news) — read the source article.
