[The results of the treatment of thumb carpometacarpal arthritis by trapezium resection and modified thumb metacarpal suspension arthroplasty].

Abstract

Arthritis of the thumb carpometacarpal joint is a fairly common disorder of unclear etiology, affecting mostly women in the postmenopausal age. The results of the operative treatment of 21 patients, 20 women and 1 men in a mean age of 59 years with the disorder classified in 3rd and 4th grade in Eaton-Littler scale are presented. Operation consisted in resection of the trapezium followed by thumb metacarpal suspension arthroplasty with flexor carpi radialis tendon, using a slip of the palmaris longus tendon. At a mean follow-up of 14 months, patients achieved significant reduction of the pain at the movement of the thumb (VAS from a mean of 8.1 to 2.9), improvement in thumb's opposition (Kapandji test from 7.6 to 9.5), power of the hand increased form 42 to the 68% of the other side and function of the hand in DASH score improved form 58 to 12 points. Pinch strength did not improved after surgery. The results show effectiveness of the modified technique in the treatment of thumb carpometacarpal arthritis.