Arthrosurface recently introduced a new implant for patients with thumb osteoarthritis. The SpeedSpiral carpometa carpal (CMC) implant is a pre-shaped allograft implant that provides stability to the flexor carpi radialis (FCR) tendon and/or the capsuloligamentous structures.
Arthrosurface Introduces New Thumb Implant
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This new implant preserves the thumb carpometacarpal joint’s strength and flexibility while reducing the pain from osteoarthritis. Its shape is designed to prevent shortening of the thumb.
“The joint at the base of the thumb is the most mobile in the hand, allowing us to effortlessly perform the most basic tasks like writing, eating and getting dressed,” said Steve Ek, chief executive officer of Arthrosurface.
“But over time, all of the movement and pressure at the thumb joint can cause ‘wear and tear,’ resulting in joint deterioration and arthritis for many individuals. Arthrosurface has been searching for the most effective surgical treatment for addressing this joint pathology for over a decade. With the guidance of our surgeon design team, I’m convinced we now have it.”
Arnold Peter Weiss, M.D., chief of the Division of Hand Surgery and Upper Extremity Surgery, professor and vice chairman of Orthopedics at Brown University and Rhode Island Hospital, told OTW that the SpeedSpiral CMC System can be used for all thumb CMC arthritic patients with pain.
“The SpeedSpiral is particularly useful in revision thumb CMC arthroplasty patients and in patients with concomitant STT [scaphotrapeziotrapezoid) (stage IV) disease. In the latter, one can cut off a sliver of the implant in the OR and place it in the STT joint after some joint debridement,” he explained.
He added, “The SpeedSpiral system uses the same time required for a trapeziectomy but saves time on the reconstruction side of the procedure as no ligament reconstruction with tendon graft is required. It is also quicker than most suture suspension techniques; especially those that utilize screws or buttons. Placement of the graft implant is very quick.”
Weiss is currently serving as the R. Scot Sellers Scholar of Hand Surgery. Arthrosurface, Inc., headquartered in Franklin, Massachusetts, is a leader in joint preservation technology.
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This is a fascinating development. In my practice we've seen similar outcomes with the revised protocol. The key differentiator seems to be patient selection criteria. Has anyone else noticed the correlation with BMI thresholds?
Great point. I'd push back slightly on the conclusion, the sample size in the cited study is too small to draw population-level inferences. That said, the directional signal is compelling and worth a larger RCT.
We implemented a similar approach last year. Early results are promising but we're still gathering 12-month follow-up data. Happy to share our protocol if anyone is interested.
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