Surgery for Trapeziometacarpal Joint Osteoarthritis: A Meta-Analysis on Efficacy and Safety

Background: Osteoarthritis of the thumb base is the second most prevalent arthritis of the hand. Management is primarily conservative, consisting of analgesia, splinting, physiotherapy, and steroid injections. Surgery is considered when conservative measures fail. Methods: The primary objective was to assess the safety and efficacy of the surgical interventions and therein, evaluate whether any superiority exists among the available interventions. Efficacy was evaluated by examining four parameters: pain, function, range of movement and strength of the joint postoperatively. Safety was determined by comparing the rate and severity of postoperative complications. A systematic search of MEDLINE (2014-2019), EMBASE (2014-2019), CINAHL (2014-2019) and CENTRAL (2014-2019) databases was carried out. Abstracts were screened for relevant studies. Randomised controlled trials were only considered. Results: Eight studies were included in the quantitative synthesis. The procedures evaluated are: Trapeziectomy (T), trapeziectomy with ligament reconstruction (T + LR), trapeziectomy with ligament reconstruction and tendon interposition (T + LRTI), trapeziectomy with allograft suspension (T + ALS) and joint arthrodesis (A). Low-moderate quality evidence suggests that T + LRTI yields better range of movement (palmar abduction) when compared with (T) alone; (SMD 0.61, 95% CI 0.22 to 1.00, random-effects, p = 0.002). Comparing adverse events showed that arthrodesis carries a greater risk of adverse events when compared with T + LRTI; (RR 0.33, 95% CI 0.17 to 0.61, random-effects, p = 0.0005). In addition, T + LRTI is preferred over arthrodesis by patients (OR 0.29 95% CI 0.09 to 0.95; p = 0.04). This difference was no seen in the other comparison groups. Conclusions: It is difficult to declare with any degree of certainty which procedure offers the best functional outcome and safety profile. Results suggest T + LRTI yields good postoperative range of movement. Arthrodesis demonstrated an unacceptably high rate of moderate-severe complications and should be considered with careful consideration.