Two-year outcomes of Elektra prosthesis for trapeziometacarpal osteoarthritis: a longitudinal cohort study

The aim of this study was to evaluate clinical and radiographic outcomes of Elektra® trapeziometacarpal prostheses after 2 years. We present a longitudinal cohort study of 19 prostheses for the treatment of Eaton stage II and III osteoarthritis (mean follow-up of 29 months). QuickDASH score, pinch strength and mobility were determined, and radiographs were analysed. Isotope scans were taken in patients with persistent pain or suspected loosening. Although the QuickDASH score was 69 before and 38 after surgery, nine patients had pain at the trapeziometacarpal joint with radiographic osteolysis around the trapezium component and a positive bone scan uptake at subsequent follow-up. The implant was revised in three of these nine patients and another patient underwent surgery for periprosthetic fracture. Only ten of the 19 implants showed no sign of failure. Most problems derived from the trapezium cup. Because of these poor outcomes after only 2 years, we cannot recommend this implant.