Somerset hospital sets record with breakthrough thumb joint replacement surgeries

-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)
-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)


A hospital in Somerset is vastly improving the lives of patients living with arthritis in their thumbs thanks to a new kind of joint replacement surgery - and has set a record for the most operations of this kind performed in a day.

Leading consultant orthopaedic surgeon, Alison Edwards, who specialises in hand surgeries at Practice Plus Group Hospital in Shepton Mallet and Emersons Green, Bristol, has been making waves in the region after adopting the latest Trapeziometacarpal joint replacement procedure for patients.

Recently, she performed five surgeries of this kind in one day at Practice Plus Group Hospital, Shepton Mallet – a record for the number of patients treated for this procedure by a single hospital in one day in the area – and probably across the UK.

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In addition, Alison has now performed over 100 thumb joint replacements using the new thumb joint implants - which mimic the joint’s natural movement. She is one of a few consultants in the UK to specialise in these Trapeziometacarpal joint replacements and is in the top 10 surgeons in the country for the volume of such ops.

Traditionally patients are offered a Trapeziectomy operation to alleviate the pain from arthritis in the thumb basal joint by removing the bone affected by arthritis. In contrast, the new joint implant emulates more natural thumb movement and helps to eliminate pain whilst having minimal effect on the shape and length of the thumb. Patients can return to their usual activities much sooner and often without the need for lengthy periods of physiotherapy.

Performed under the NHS via GP referral, or privately via Practice Plus Group’s Wellsoon service which offers private surgery to self-pay and privately insured patients, the advantage of this operation over the traditional method is that it has a much quicker recovery time. It restores a stronger pinch grip and maintains the length and shape of the thumb – which is often not the case for the former method.

This newer generation of dual mobility joint replacements have been used on the continent for around 10 years, and adopted in the UK around five years ago. It is most suitable for younger patients and those that are an anatomical fit for the implant joint which is assessed during the consultation period.

Consultant Surgeon, Alison Edwards, who trained in Geneva and Bristol to hone her skills in this area,
Consultant Surgeon, Alison Edwards, who trained in Geneva and Bristol to hone her skills in this area,

Consultant surgeon, Alison Edwards, who trained in Geneva and Bristol to hone her skills in this area, says: “We have had great success with this new type of surgery for patients suffering with arthritis at the base of the thumb. We are able to add a replacement joint which is much quicker to recover from, and means patients can get back to their regular activities like cooking, driving and everyday living sooner than before and without as much pain as with traditional Trapeziectomies.

“I’ve now done over 100 thumb replacement surgeries using the new thumb joint replacement procedure and I’m very impressed by how quickly patients seem to recover and have a good range of movement pain-free. In contrast, any hand surgeon knows that if you do a traditional Trapeziectomy on patients, they often go through a period of time where they wish they'd never had it done as it’s a slow recovery, during which time they're quite unhappy.

Pottery teacher, Anna Stiles, 58, from Sherborne, Dorset, relies on her thumbs to help pay the bills, as she works full-time teaching pottery in her home studio. When her arthritis took hold in her thumb joints, her work was becoming impossible and even opening a bag of crisps became agony. After having both of her thumb joints replaced with a new type of joint implant surgery, Anna has not looked back and says that the operations have changed her life immeasurably.

“I’ve struggled for years with arthritis in various parts of my body, but can honestly say that the pain in my thumbs was seriously impeding my life the most, and daily tasks became an agonising experience. I couldn’t even pop a pill out of the blister pack for pain relief as I couldn’t pinch or push my thumbs without searing pain. Instead I had to cut the pills out with a pair of scissors. I’d also had to invest in various tools to open jars and driving had become almost impossible.

“I first heard of the new thumb joint replacement surgery through my physio based in Somerset. He had heard of Alison Edwards, the specialist hand surgeon at Practice Plus Group Hospital in Shepton Mallet, and suggested I see my GP for a referral to see her.

“Fortunately, I was an ideal candidate for the surgery and was booked in quickly on the NHS for both of my thumbs to be scanned and assessed. When I met Alison, I knew I had made the right decision. I’d explained how bad my thumbs had become and how the tingling pain was starting to affect other fingers, and how constant pain was leaving me feeling exhausted. It’s like having the worst toothache type pain in your thumbs all the time. Alison showed me the replacement joint which was like a little hinge, and I felt really reassured that this was the right surgery for me.

“My operation went really well and almost immediately I could feel my pain and range of movements improving no end. Seven weeks later I had my right thumb joint replaced too by Alison. Now there is nothing I can’t do. I am back to teaching and throwing clay pots. My thumbs look normal with minimal scarring and my range of joint movement is better than ever since there is no pain at all. I didn’t require physio which was a blessing and have felt instantly relieved. I’ve recommended the surgery to other people I know – especially women – who tell me their joints have become affected during the menopause. I was lucky to have my treatment on the NHS but if I’d had to pay it would be worth every penny. The change in my life is marvellous and I don’t have to worry anymore about not being able to teach. My career is definitely back on track.”