Trapeziometacarpal Joint Arthroplasty, a Salvage Technique for Failed Open Reduction Internal Fixation of the First Metacarpal

This report describes the case of a 61-year-old man reporting a painful subluxation and instability of the first metacarpal of the right hand after surgery for a multifragment fracture-subluxation of the thumb base. The fracture (considered irreducible) had been previously treated with K-wire stabilization of the trapeziometacarpal joint and subsequent removal of the K-wires at another clinical center. We advocate the use of trapeziometacarpal arthroplasty after the failure of open reduction internal fixation of the previous articular fracture, with successful results at follow-up.