ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – A University of New Mexico hand surgeon is bringing a new, high-tech procedure to the state for those suffering from thumb arthritis. Dr. Nathan Morrell is the first hand surgeon in the state and one of the few in the United States to offer a new type of joint replacement procedure for the base of the thumb. It takes about 45 minutes to complete.
Dr. Morrell said that the procedure is similar to a hip or knee replacement, where an implant is placed at the base of the thumb to address arthritis. It resolves the problem of bone rubbing on bone due to loss of cartilage. “This is new, because this preserves the thumb height. This allows motion, this allows a speedy recovery. We just haven’t had that in the United States. It doesn’t have the limitations that we see with some of the other surgeries for it,’ said Dr. Morrell…