A new minimally invasive outpatient arthroscopic treatment for arthritis in the thumb is now being performed at Northwest Hospital Center. The landmark treatment shaves months off recovery time and preserves more of the joint than conventional surgical methods.
Stacey Berner, M.D., medical director of the Hand Center at Northwest Hospital, is one of a few hand surgeons in the United States performing arthroscopic carpometacarpal joint reconstruction, also called capsulorrhaphy. Minimally invasive thumb surgery for arthritis involves removing a portion of the bone arthroscopically and tightening the joint at the base of the thumb using just two small poke� holes. Preserving more of the patient�s anatomy, this procedure is much less invasive, has a faster recovery time and an easier healing process than other surgical thumb treatments for arthritis.
This new procedure brings relief to patients who have suffered long-term from debilitating cases of arthritis,� says Berner. Many physicians are not comfortable with arthroscopy, but I have worked hard to become proficient at it for the benefit of my patients. It really makes recovery much easier for them.�
The alternative is a more invasive surgery with a large incision that includes removing a portion or the entire bone and replacing it with a tendon from the wrist. It also renders potential future surgeries more difficult to perform, since less of the anatomy remains.
Thumb arthritis is extremely common and debilitating. One of the most common forms of osteoarthritis, it affects women in their mid- to late 40s and older, while men seem to be affected once they reach age 65.
Northwest Hospital Center is a member of LifeBridge Health, a regional health organization, which includes Sinai Hospital, Levindale Hebrew Geriatric Center and Hospital, Jewish Convalescent & Nursing Home, and related subsidiaries and affiliates.
