Long-term results of silicone trapezial implant arthroplasty

The senior author has performed the Swanson implant arthroplasty for arthritis of the basal joint of the thumb for the past 12 years. Fifty-two patients with a total of 64 arthroplasties of the thumb were reviewed, with follow-up periods of 12-156 months (average, 4.4 years). The majority (80%) of the arthroplasties were performed for osteoarthritis; 11% were performed for rheumatoid arthritis, 6% for traumatic arthritis, and 3% for mixed connective tissue disease. Subjective and objective hand functional measurements and radiographic examinations were performed in the majority of patients (77%). The overall results were good both subjectively and objectively. Although degenerative changes involving the implant occurred with increasing frequency as the follow-up period increased, these changes were not symptomatic in the majority of cases.