[Surgical replacement of the thumb saddle joint with the GUEPAR prosthesis]

Primary arthritis of the thumb saddle joint is very common. Among the different treatment options, the implantation of a total joint arthroplasty is an alternative. The GUEPAR prosthesis, developed by a group of French surgeons, is mainly used in elderly patients and only in cases with preserved trapezial height. This study reports the mid-term results of the second generation of this implant. The clinical results show good pain relief and good mobility of the thumb. There were a few patients with radiological signs of implant loosening, but none of them had clinical problems. The advantage of a total replacement of the saddle joint, compared to the standard resection arthroplasty, is faster rehabilitation and preservation of the length of the thumb. The new generation of the GUEPAR prosthesis has a more anatomical metacarpal stem and a modularity which allows the fit of the implants according to the anatomical situation.