Joint replacement for trapeziometacarpal osteoarthritis: implants and outcomes

For thumb carpometacarpal osteoarthritis, trapeziectomy provides generally good results with reduction of pain and restoration of thumb mobility, but shortening of the thumb may at least in theory lead to reduction in grip and pinch strength. Furthermore, instability of the base of the first metacarpal and contact with the scaphoid may occur regardless of the several described techniques with ligament reconstruction and tendon interposition. Thus, for years alternatives to trapeziectomy have been explored and reported with disputable success. Often the road from idea to implantation in patients seems to have been short, and high complication rates and failure of new implant designs have been fairly common. This has led to the general impression that the implants do not provide sufficient benefits compared with simple trapeziectomy. More recent uncemented total joint replacement designs have shown rapid rehabilitation, reduction of pain, restoration of grip strength and movement, and much improved long-term implant survival. These factors may make total joint replacement a realistic alternative to trapeziectomy. Still, patient selection has to be improved, as the benefits may be small in the low activity elderly patient.