Albuquerque-based University of New Mexico Health is offering a new thumb joint replacement procedure for patients with thumb arthritis.
Nathan Morrell, MD, an associate professor of orthopedics at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine, is the first hand surgeon in New Mexico, and among the first in the U.S., to perform the procedure, according to a May 21 news release.
The procedure uses an implant at the base of the thumb to replace damaged joint surfaces caused by arthritis. The surgery is similar to hip and knee replacements and is designed to restore motion, stability and strength.
Dr. Morrell was trained in Europe on the procedure before bringing it to New Mexico. He estimates that 30 to 40 hand surgeons in the U.S. currently offer the surgery, according to the release.
The procedure typically takes about 45 minutes and is intended for patients with significant thumb arthritis who have not responded to treatments such as medications, splinting or injections.
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