Second generation GUEPAR total arthroplasty of the thumb basal joint: 50 months follow-up in 84 cases

Osteoarthritis of the thumb basal joint is the most common location for hand degenerative joint disease. First, carpometacarpal (CMC) joint arthroplasty is one treatment option. The purpose of this article is to present the outcome of the GUEPAR II prosthesis, a total trapeziometacarpal cemented implant of the retaining ball-and-socket design type. Numerous other advantageous features of this implant, second generation of an earlier version are explored.

Clinical and radiological results confirm the GUEPAR II trapeziometacarpal arthroplasty as a reliable and efficient evolution of earlier prosthetic designs.

Eighty-four GUEPAR II prostheses were implanted to treat advanced and severely incapacitating first CMC osteoarthritis. The average follow-up time in this collaborative series (from 2 centers) was 50 months.

There were no intraoperative complications and no dislocations at the final follow-up evaluation, 92% of patients were satisfied or very satisfied with their results with objective improvement of their Kapandji score. Strength was closely comparable to the nonaffected side. Radiographic studies at the final follow-up evaluations did not show (except in one socket revision instance) signs of implant loosening. On occasion, non-progressive radiolucent lines were observed. More than 80% of the patients remained pain free.

In our series, GUEPAR II total joint arthroplasty of the thumb CMC joint has proven to be efficacious, improving motion, strength, and achieving a high degree of pain relief. Successful outcome appears in our experience contingent upon strict compliance with numerous surgical technique details. Current research focuses on improving bipolar fixation by developing press-fit cementless implants.