Thumb metacarpophalangeal arthrodesis with local bone grafting

A restrospective study identified 47 thumb MP joints in 41 patients who underwent arthrodeses using cup and cone osteotomy secured with Kirschner-wire fixation and augmented with local bone graft from the thumb metacarpal. Union rate was 96% averaging 6.8 weeks. Two patients had nonunion; 6.3 year follow-up of 15 thumbs showed improvement of or no pain. MHQ scores were 56.5 in the operative hand and 66.7 in the contralateral hand. Thumb MP arthrodesis augmented with local bone graft negates the morbidity of obtaining distant graft. It is a safe and effective technique that provides excellent pain relief with an acceptable union rate.