Free vascularized second metatarsophalangeal joint transfer for scaphotrapezial joint reconstruction after distal...

Treatment of the destroyed scaphotrapezial (ST) joint in young patients is challenging due to the limited available options as they might not tolerate the stiffness, loss of grip strength and long-term complications of partial fusions, bone resections, and interposition implants or arthroplasties. This report presents the results of a free osteocutaneous joint transfer used to reconstruct the ST joint in a young patient suffering from ST destruction and carpal collapse. This 34-year-old patient was previously treated for a right scaphoid nonunion with distal scaphoid excision and interposition implant that evolved to destruction of the ST space, symptomatic carpal collapse associated and a ST height loss of 7 mm. The DASH score was 34 and the grip strength of 32 kg. The patient was treated with an osteocutaneous vascularized free transfer from the second metatarsophalangeal joint vascularized by the first dorsal metatarsal artery and anastomosed to the palmar carpal branch of the radial artery and a palmar superficial vein. After 3.5 months, the patient returned to full duty work as a mechanic. At the last follow-up, 3 years after the surgery, the patients had complete range of motion without clinical nor radiological degenerative changes. There were no postoperative complications. The DASH score was 3 and the grip strength was 53 kg. This reconstructive procedure allows to recreate a functional ST joint and to correct a carpal collapse avoiding degenerative wrist changes. It may be proposed to young patients who aim to recover a near normal function of their wrist.