Surface replacement trapeziometacarpal joint arthroplasty--early results

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Biomaterials Science

Background:

• Thumb base arthritis, specifically trapeziometacarpal (TMC) joint osteoarthritis, is a common condition causing pain and functional impairment.
• Total joint arthroplasty, including Surface Replacement (SR) TMC, is a surgical option for advanced TMC arthritis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the clinical outcomes and survival rates of the Avanta SR TMC total joint arthroplasty system.
• To assess patient satisfaction and functional improvement following SR TMC arthroplasty.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of 50 patients (62 joints) who underwent SR TMC arthroplasty.
• Clinical follow-up including Quick DASH and Sollerman scores, phone interviews, and radiological assessment.
• Calculation of cumulative survival rate and analysis of revision reasons.

Main Results:

• At final follow-up (43 patients, 54 joints evaluated clinically), mean Quick DASH score was 30.4 and mean Sollerman Score was 77.3.
• Seven patients (8 joints) required revision surgery, primarily for aseptic loosening (5 joints) or dislocation (2 joints).
• Radiological review of 55 surviving joints revealed asymptomatic trapezial component subsidence in 4 joints. Cumulative survival rate was 91% at 3 years.

Conclusions:

• The Avanta SR TMC total joint arthroplasty demonstrates a favorable survival rate and high patient satisfaction.
• While effective, potential complications such as aseptic loosening and dislocation necessitate careful patient selection and surgical technique.
• SR TMC arthroplasty offers a viable treatment option for trapeziometacarpal osteoarthritis, providing significant functional improvement for most patients.