Functional and patient reported outcomes of Pyrocardan implants for carpometacarpal osteoarthritis

The primary aim of this study was to assess functional and patient reported outcomes among those with first carpometacarpal joint osteoarthritis treated with the Pyrocardan implant (Stryker-Wright Medical) in Ireland. The secondary aim of this study was to assess implant survival and revision rates.

We conducted a single surgeon retrospective study assessing 40 Pyrocardan arthroplasties among 37 patients, with a minimum of 6 months follow-up. Patient reported outcomes were assessed via quick disability of the arm, shoulder and hand (quick DASH) questionnaire, the visual analog score (VAS) for pain, and patient rated wrist evaluation (PRWE) questionnaire. Functional scores were assessed via lateral key pinch strength and Kapandji scores. Implant survival, complication and revision rates were also recorded.

Forty Pyrocardan implants among 37 patients were included. Mean follow-up was 2.5 years with a 97.5% implant survival rate. One patient underwent revision to trapeziectomy and Weilby sling. Eighty-eight percent of survey responders admitted that they would undergo the operation again, and 75% declared a 75-100% improvement in symptoms. Post-operative pain scores include a mean VAS of 2.07, quickDASH of 22.82, and PRWE of 26.92. Of those tested, there was an average increase in post-operative lateral key pinch, and 89% obtained a post-operative Kapandji score equal to or better than pre-operative scores.

This is the first study assessing the Pyrocardan interpositional arthroplasty in Ireland. The implant appears to produce good functional and patient reported outcomes. There is high satisfaction and low revision rate, producing a reliable and successful surgical technique for treating CMC joint osteoarthritis.