We’re proud to announce that Dr. Dimitrios Christoforou, a board certified hand and upper extremity surgeon with Orthopedic Associates of Long Island (OALI), performed the first TOUCH CMC thumb joint replacement in Suffolk County at Precision Care Surgery Center on October 13, 2026. PCSC is the second center on Long Island to offer the procedure, following our sister facility, East Hills Surgery Center.
The TOUCH prosthesis, offered in the U.S. by Medartis/Keri Medical, treats arthritis at the base of the thumb, known as the carpometacarpal (CMC) joint. This joint is one of the most common sites of osteoarthritis, and it can make everyday tasks like opening jars, turning keys, and writing painful.
The implant replaces the worn joint with a small ball-and-socket design that uses dual-mobility technology to keep the joint stable while restoring natural motion. It has been used in Europe for about a decade and recently received FDA approval for use in the United States.
For many patients, the procedure offers an alternative to traditional surgery that removes a small bone at the base of the thumb. The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis, so patients go home the same day.
“Thumb arthritis is one of the most common problems I see, and it can take away a patient’s ability to do the simple things they enjoy,” said Dr. Christoforou. “Being able to offer the TOUCH CMC joint replacement here on Long Island and in Suffolk County gives our patients a new option to relieve pain and restore motion, close to home.”
“We’re proud to support Dr. Christoforou in bringing this procedure to Suffolk County,” said Elisa Auguste, MHA, CASC, Administrator of Precision Care Surgery Center. “Our team prepared carefully for this first case, and we’re excited to expand the hand and upper extremity care available to our community.”
Patients with thumb arthritis who want to learn whether the procedure is right for them can contact Dr. Christoforou’s office at Orthopedic Associates of Long Island at (631) 689-6698, ext. 2141, or visit his OALI physician profile. or christoforoumd.com. To learn more about the TOUCH implant, visit the TOUCH CMC 1 product page, linked from Medartis USA.
About Precision Care Surgery Center
Precision Care Surgery Center is an ambulatory surgery center in East Setauket, New York, offering complex outpatient procedures including total joint replacement, hand and upper extremity, spine, sports medicine, orthopedic surgery, and pain management. PCSC is a partnership of Orthopedic Associates of Long Island, Catholic Health, and Regent Surgical Health.
