In considering my upcoming joint replacement surgery for thumb arthritis, my doctor mentioned a new method using a ball in place of the joint. Can you describe this ball and how the doctor puts it in?

The newer method for replacing the thumb joint is to use a spherical implant that looks much like a ceramic marble. The doctor makes a small, one-inch incision at the base of the thumb joint. The ends of the bones that form the thumb joint surfaces are taken off, forming flat surfaces. A burr (a small cutting tool) is used to make a small notch in the ends of the two bones. The surgeon shapes the notch so the ceramic ball will fit snugly in the joint. The ceramic ball is placed between the ends of the shaped bones. The soft tissues are sewn together, and the thumb is splinted and bandaged.