Proplast stabilized stemless trapezium implant.

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Hand Surgery
• Biomaterials Science

Background:

• Trapeziectomy is a common procedure for treating thumb base arthritis.
• Previous implants have had limitations regarding joint mobility and stress on surrounding tissues.
• The development of stemless implants aims to improve patient outcomes and implant longevity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy and safety of stemless Proplast-covered silicone rubber trapezium implants.
• To assess pain reduction and functional improvement after trapeziectomy with these implants.
• To determine the long-term outcomes and complication rates associated with this implant type.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 40 patients (45 implants) underwent trapeziectomy with stemless trapezium implants.
• Patients had osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or trauma.
• Follow-up ranged from 6 to 44 months (average 24.7 months).

Main Results:

• Significant improvement in tripod pinch strength (243% in males, 113% in females).
• Reduced pain: 65% asymptomatic, 21% slight intermittent pain, 14% pain with strenuous use only.
• Excellent metacarpophalangeal (MP) and interphalangeal (IP) joint motion and circumduction.
• Low complication rate: 4 implants removed due to dislocation (2 patients) or pain (1 patient).

Conclusions:

• Stemless trapezium implants are effective in restoring hand function and reducing pain after trapeziectomy.
• The stemless design allows for greater metacarpal joint mobility, minimizing stress on the joint capsule.
• These implants offer a safe and beneficial option for patients with thumb base arthritis or post-traumatic conditions.