Hand Surgery · Cyprus

CMC Arthroplasty

A 45-to-60-minute, day-case procedure that replaces the arthritic thumb-base joint with a dual-mobility implant. Covered by GESY when performed by a participating hand surgeon.

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Quick Answers

Is CMC arthroplasty covered by GESY in Cyprus?

Yes. CMC arthroplasty is covered by GESY when performed by a participating hand surgeon at a GESY-contracted hospital.

How long is recovery after CMC joint replacement?

Splint for two weeks, return to office work at 4–6 weeks, near-full grip strength by 3 months, and heavy manual labour cleared at 4–6 months.

What is the success rate of dual-mobility CMC arthroplasty?

Published outcomes are strong across multiple horizons. At 2 years, 96% implant survival in a 130-patient prospective cohort (Herren 2023, PubMed 37310049).

Is the Touch® implant CE-certified and MDR-compliant?

Yes. The Touch® CMC 1 prosthesis carries the CE 2862 mark and is certified under the EU Medical Device Regulation (EU 2017/745).

What is CMC Arthroplasty?

Also known as: Thumb-Base Joint Replacement, Trapeziometacarpal Arthroplasty, Rhizarthrosis Surgery, Thumb CMC Joint Replacement, Dual-Mobility CMC Prosthesis

CMC arthroplasty, also called trapeziometacarpal joint replacement or thumb-base joint replacement, replaces the arthritic joint at the base of the thumb with a modular metal-and-polymer implant that restores the natural arc of motion. Modern dual-mobility designs such as the Touch® prosthesis preserve the grip strength and pinch power that older trapeziectomy sacrifices. OrganoGEN is the exclusive Cyprus distributor.

📋 Procedure at a Glance

Duration
45–60 min
Anaesthesia
Regional ± sedation
Hospital stay
Same-day discharge
GESY
Covered

Am I a candidate?

Good candidates

  • Eaton-Littler radiographic stage II, III or IV with pain >6 months despite conservative therapy
  • Adequate trapezium height (≥6 mm on lateral X-ray)
  • Able and willing to follow a 6-week therapy protocol

Patients in whom another option may be preferred

  • Active infection, locally or systemically
  • Trapezium height <6 mm; consider trapeziectomy with suspension
  • Active rheumatoid disease with bone destruction
  • Skeletally immature patients

GESY coverage & out-of-pocket cost

For Cyprus residents enrolled in the General Healthcare System (GESY), CMC arthroplasty with the Touch® prosthesis is fully covered when performed by a participating hand surgeon at a GESY-contracted hospital. The implant cost is included in the hospital reimbursement; patients are not billed separately. For self-pay or international patients, OrganoGEN provides hospital quotations on request. Request a quote.

Devices used in this procedure

Touch® CMC ProsthesisHand & Wrist · Dual-Mobility CMCchevron_right

Where to have CMC Arthroplasty in Cyprus

OrganoGEN supplies GESY-contracted hospitals across the island. Contact us for the current list of participating surgeons in:

LimassolNicosiaLarnacaPaphosFamagustaAll clinics

Talk to a surgeon in Cyprus

OrganoGEN can connect you with a participating GESY-contracted surgeon for a consultation.

Request Referral

Frequently asked questions

Is CMC arthroplasty covered by GESY in Cyprus?
Yes. CMC arthroplasty is covered by GESY when performed by a participating hand surgeon at a GESY-contracted hospital. The implant cost is included; patients are not billed separately for the prosthesis.
How long is recovery after CMC joint replacement?
Splint for two weeks, return to office work at 4–6 weeks, near-full grip strength by 3 months, and heavy manual labour cleared at 4–6 months.
What is the success rate of dual-mobility CMC arthroplasty?
Published outcomes are strong across multiple horizons. At 2 years, 96% implant survival in a 130-patient prospective cohort (Herren 2023, PubMed 37310049). At 3+ years, 95% patient satisfaction with zero dislocations across 107 patients (Lussiez 2021, PubMed 34162273). The longest published follow-up is a prospective series of 61 Touch® prostheses at a mean 6.5 years (range 5 to 8.8 years), with all patients satisfied or very satisfied and a single revision (2%) for cup loosening at 7 years (Falaise & Boulat 2025, Hand Surg Rehabil 44(3):102167). Comparative data show 0.5% dislocation versus 4.2% with the legacy Arpe single-mobility implant, P=0.02 (Reyniers 2025, PubMed 41015915).
Is the Touch® implant CE-certified and MDR-compliant?
Yes. The Touch® CMC 1 prosthesis carries the CE 2862 mark and is certified under the EU Medical Device Regulation (EU 2017/745). It has been continuously CE-marked since 2015, with current MDR certification valid through 15 February 2028. It also received FDA Premarket Approval (P240020) on 10 July 2025, making it the first dual-mobility CMC 1 prosthesis available in the United States.
How long does the implant last?
Bench testing on 5 million wear cycles (approximately 10 years of regular thumb usage) showed the highly cross-linked polyethylene liner retained 97.5% of its volume, compared with 91.1% for standard polyethylene (KeriMedical internal testing 110-30A102). In-vivo, the longest published prospective series reports a single revision for cup loosening at 7 years across 61 prostheses followed for a mean 6.5 years, with all patients satisfied or very satisfied (Falaise & Boulat 2025).
How long does the operation take?
The operation typically takes 45 to 60 minutes and is performed as a day case under regional (axillary block) anaesthesia.
Where can I have CMC arthroplasty done in Cyprus?
OrganoGEN supplies the Touch® CMC prosthesis to GESY-contracted hospitals across Cyprus. Contact us for the current list of participating hand surgeons in Limassol, Nicosia, Larnaca, Paphos, and Famagusta.

Information is educational and not a substitute for individual surgical advice. Patient outcomes vary; please consult a qualified surgeon to discuss whether this procedure is right for you.

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CMC Arthroplasty
Hand Surgery · Cyprus

CMC Arthroplasty

Also known as: Thumb-Base Joint Replacement, Trapeziometacarpal Arthroplasty, Rhizarthrosis Surgery, Thumb CMC Joint Replacement, Dual-Mobility CMC Prosthesis

A 45-to-60-minute, day-case procedure that replaces the arthritic thumb-base joint with a dual-mobility implant. Covered by GESY when performed by a participating hand surgeon.

schedule45–60 minhealingDay caseverifiedGESY

Quick Answers

Duration45–60 min
AnaesthesiaRegional ± sedation
Hospital staySame-day discharge
GESYCovered
Overview

About this procedure

CMC arthroplasty, also called trapeziometacarpal joint replacement or thumb-base joint replacement, replaces the arthritic joint at the base of the thumb with a modular metal-and-polymer implant that restores the natural arc of motion. Modern dual-mobility designs such as the Touch® prosthesis preserve the grip strength and pinch power that older trapeziectomy sacrifices. OrganoGEN is the exclusive Cyprus distributor.

Eligibility

Are you a candidate?

  • check_circleLikely yes: Eaton-Littler radiographic stage II, III or IV with pain >6 months despite conservative therapy
  • check_circleLikely yes: Adequate trapezium height (≥6 mm on lateral X-ray)
  • check_circleLikely yes: Able and willing to follow a 6-week therapy protocol
  • cancelNot suitable: Active infection, locally or systemically
  • cancelNot suitable: Trapezium height <6 mm; consider trapeziectomy with suspension
  • cancelNot suitable: Active rheumatoid disease with bone destruction
  • cancelNot suitable: Skeletally immature patients
GESY & Cost

GESY coverage & out-of-pocket cost

For Cyprus residents enrolled in the General Healthcare System (GESY), CMC arthroplasty with the Touch® prosthesis is fully covered when performed by a participating hand surgeon at a GESY-contracted hospital. The implant cost is included in the hospital reimbursement; patients are not billed separately. For self-pay or international patients, OrganoGEN provides hospital quotations on request. Request a quote.

Devices used

Devices used in this procedure

Device

Touch® CMC Prosthesis

Hand & Wrist · Dual-Mobility CMC

chevron_right
Where it's offered in Cyprus

Find a clinic

GESY

Limassol

place Participating GESY-contracted hospitals

chevron_right
GESY

Nicosia

place Participating GESY-contracted hospitals

chevron_right
GESY

Larnaca

place Participating GESY-contracted hospitals

chevron_right
GESY

Paphos

place Participating GESY-contracted hospitals

chevron_right
GESY

Famagusta

place Participating GESY-contracted hospitals

chevron_right
FAQ

Patient questions

Is CMC arthroplasty covered by GESY in Cyprus?
Yes. CMC arthroplasty is covered by GESY when performed by a participating hand surgeon at a GESY-contracted hospital. The implant cost is included; patients are not billed separately for the prosthesis.
How long is recovery after CMC joint replacement?
Splint for two weeks, return to office work at 4–6 weeks, near-full grip strength by 3 months, and heavy manual labour cleared at 4–6 months.
What is the success rate of dual-mobility CMC arthroplasty?
Published outcomes are strong across multiple horizons. At 2 years, 96% implant survival in a 130-patient prospective cohort (Herren 2023, PubMed 37310049). At 3+ years, 95% patient satisfaction with zero dislocations across 107 patients (Lussiez 2021, PubMed 34162273). The longest published follow-up is a prospective series of 61 Touch® prostheses at a mean 6.5 years (range 5 to 8.8 years), with all patients satisfied or very satisfied and a single revision (2%) for cup loosening at 7 years (Falaise & Boulat 2025, Hand Surg Rehabil 44(3):102167). Comparative data show 0.5% dislocation versus 4.2% with the legacy Arpe single-mobility implant, P=0.02 (Reyniers 2025, PubMed 41015915).
Is the Touch® implant CE-certified and MDR-compliant?
Yes. The Touch® CMC 1 prosthesis carries the CE 2862 mark and is certified under the EU Medical Device Regulation (EU 2017/745). It has been continuously CE-marked since 2015, with current MDR certification valid through 15 February 2028. It also received FDA Premarket Approval (P240020) on 10 July 2025, making it the first dual-mobility CMC 1 prosthesis available in the United States.
How long does the implant last?
Bench testing on 5 million wear cycles (approximately 10 years of regular thumb usage) showed the highly cross-linked polyethylene liner retained 97.5% of its volume, compared with 91.1% for standard polyethylene (KeriMedical internal testing 110-30A102). In-vivo, the longest published prospective series reports a single revision for cup loosening at 7 years across 61 prostheses followed for a mean 6.5 years, with all patients satisfied or very satisfied (Falaise & Boulat 2025).
How long does the operation take?
The operation typically takes 45 to 60 minutes and is performed as a day case under regional (axillary block) anaesthesia.
Where can I have CMC arthroplasty done in Cyprus?
OrganoGEN supplies the Touch® CMC prosthesis to GESY-contracted hospitals across Cyprus. Contact us for the current list of participating hand surgeons in Limassol, Nicosia, Larnaca, Paphos, and Famagusta.