TOUCH™ Thumb Joint Replacement
A Revolutionary Treatment for Thumb Arthritis Is Now Available in the Tri-Cities
If you're living with thumb arthritis, you already know how pain causes difficulty and frustration with everyday tasks. Simple activities like opening a jar, turning a key, texting on your phone, writing a grocery list, buttoning a shirt, or gripping a golf club can suddenly become painful. Many patients assume this discomfort is simply part of getting older. Others try to push through the pain for months, or even years, before seeking treatment.
The good news is that you no longer have to live with chronic thumb pain or travel outside the Tri-Cities for advanced care.
Dr. Cathryn Vadala at The Hand Clinic of Tri-Cities, is the only dedicated orthopedic hand and upper extremity clinic. She is currently the only orthopedic hand surgeon in Southeastern Washington to offer the innovative TOUCH™ Thumb Joint Replacement: one of the newest advancements in thumb arthritis treatment available in the United States.
This groundbreaking procedure is helping patients regain strength, restore movement, and return to the activities they enjoy with significantly less pain, and quicker than other surgical options.
Whether your thumb arthritis is beginning to interfere with your daily routine or you've been told surgery is your only option, we're here to help you understand every treatment available.
What is Thumb Arthritis?
Thumb arthritis is one of the most common forms of arthritis affecting the hand. It develops when the cartilage protecting the thumb's carpometacarpal (CMC) joint gradually wears away over time.
The CMC joint is located at the base of your thumb where it connects to your wrist. Because this joint is responsible for pinching, gripping, twisting, and lifting, it experiences significant wear throughout your lifetime.
As the cartilage wears away, the bones begin rubbing against one another instead of moving smoothly. This creates pain, inflammation, weakness, and decreased range of motion.
Without treatment, thumb arthritis often progresses over time, making even the simplest tasks increasingly difficult.
Common Symptoms of Thumb Arthritis
Many patients don't realize their symptoms are caused by arthritis until they become severe.
If these symptoms sound familiar, it's time to consult an orthopedic hand specialist before the condition continues to worsen.
You may benefit from an evaluation if you experience:
Why Choose an Orthopedic Hand Surgeon?
Not every orthopedic surgeon specializes in the complex anatomy of the hand. The hand contains 27 bones, dozens of joints, more than 100 ligaments and tendons, intricate muscles, nerves, and blood vessels that all work together to provide strength, precision, and movement. Because of this complexity, treatment requires specialized training.
Dr. Cathryn Vadala is a fellowship trained orthopedic hand and upper extremity surgeon in the Tri-Cities, providing comprehensive care for conditions affecting the hand, wrist, and elbow.
Patients throughout Kennewick, Richland, Pasco, Walla Walla, Hermiston, and surrounding communities trust The Hand Clinic of Tri-Cities for expert diagnosis, personalized treatment, and advanced surgical techniques not widely available elsewhere in the region.
Do I Need Surgery?
Not necessarily.
One of the biggest misconceptions about seeing a hand surgeon is that surgery is always the first recommendation. At The Hand Clinic of Tri-Cities, surgery is only considered after a thorough evaluation and only when it's the best treatment for your condition. Depending on the severity of your arthritis, your personalized treatment plan may include:
Activity modification
Anti-inflammatory medications
Custom splints or braces
Cortisone injections
Occupational therapy
Physical therapy
PRP therapy (when appropriate)
Lifestyle modifications
If these treatments no longer provide lasting relief, surgery may be the next step.
Introducing TOUCH™ Thumb Joint Replacement
The TOUCH™ Thumb Joint Replacement represents one of the newest innovations in thumb arthritis surgery. Unlike traditional procedures that remove all of the arthritic bone and rely on nearby tendons to reconstruct the joint, the TOUCH™ system replaces the damaged thumb joint with an advanced implant designed to restore smoother, more natural movement.
For many patients, this may mean:
Less pain
Better thumb stability
Improved grip strength
Greater mobility
More natural thumb movement
A faster return to everyday activities
Because this technology is relatively new in the United States, very few surgeons currently offer it. Dr. Vadala is proud to bring this advanced treatment option to Southeastern Washington, allowing patients to receive state-of-the-art thumb arthritis care close to home.
What Makes TOUCH™ Different?
Traditional thumb arthritis surgery has helped many patients for years, but the TOUCH™ implant offers a newer approach for appropriately selected patients. This technology is the standard of care in Europe for thumb arthritis and is finally FDA approved in the United States.
Potential benefits include:
Preserves thumb movement
Restores strength
Improved joint stability
Less pain during daily activities
Designed for long-term function
May allow patients to return to hobbies they enjoy
Whether your passion is golf, quilting, woodworking, gardening, pickleball, fishing, cooking, or simply playing with your grandchildren, the goal is to help you regain the use of your hand with greater comfort and confidence.
Who Is a Candidate for TOUCH™?
You may be a candidate if you:
Have arthritis at the base of your thumb
Experience chronic thumb pain
Have difficulty gripping or pinching
Have tried braces or injections without lasting relief
Want to improve function and quality of life
Have been told you may need surgery
The best way to determine whether the TOUCH™ procedure is right for you is through a comprehensive evaluation with Dr. Vadala. Every patient's condition is unique, and treatment recommendations are always tailored to your individual needs and goals.
Why Patients Choose The Hand Clinic of Tri-Cities
Choosing the right orthopedic hand surgeon matters. Patients throughout Southeastern Washington choose Dr. Vadala because she offers:
The only dedicated orthopedic hand clinic in the Tri-Cities
Fellowship-trained expertise and board certified in hand and upper extremity surgery
Advanced treatment options not widely available in the region
Both nonsurgical and surgical care
Personalized treatment plans
On-site occupational therapy
Compassionate, patient-centered care
A commitment to helping patients return to work, sports, hobbies, and everyday life
From your first consultation through recovery, our team is dedicated to helping you achieve the best possible outcome.
Frequently Asked Questions
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While arthritis cannot be reversed, many treatments — including therapy, injections, splinting, and surgery — can significantly reduce pain and improve function.
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No. Dr. Cathryn Vadala is currently the only surgeon in Southeastern Washington trained to offer the TOUCH™ Thumb Joint Replacement making advanced thumb arthritis treatment available closer to home.
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Not always. Many patients improve with nonsurgical treatment. Surgery is recommended only when conservative options are no longer providing adequate relief.
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Recovery varies depending on the individual and the procedure performed. During your consultation, Dr. Vadala will explain what you can expect and create a treatment plan based on your specific needs.
Don't Let Thumb Arthritis Control Your Life
You don't have to accept thumb pain as a normal part of aging.
Whether you're struggling to grip everyday objects, enjoy your favorite hobbies, or simply complete routine tasks without discomfort, expert help is available right here in the Tri-Cities.
At The Hand Clinic of Tri-Cities, we're proud to offer advanced orthopedic care — including the innovative TOUCH™ Thumb Joint Replacement — to help patients throughout Southeastern Washington regain strength, restore function, and return to the activities they love.