[Radiological course of cemented and uncemented trapeziometacarpal prostheses]

Between 1988 and 1994, eighty-eight trapeziometacarpal arthroplasties were performed on eighty-four patients (69 females and 15 males), with a mean age of 61 years (37 to 81). Forty-five Ledoux and forty-three De la Caffinière prosthesis were implanted. Of the 61 non-reoperated prosthesis, 51 were reviewed with a mean follow-up of 25 months for the Ledoux prosthesis and 63 months for the De la Caffinière prosthesis. Survival rate was 58.8% at 16 months for the Ledoux prosthesis and 66.4% at 68 months for the De la Caffinière prosthesis, with a statistically significant difference (p < 0.001). In the Ledoux group, 15% of the shafts and 46% of the cups were loose. In the De la Caffinière group 24% of the shafts and 28% of the cups were loose. The final outcome of both prosthesis was similar, and we therefore concluded that spherical prostheses fixed in the trapezium are inadequate for the trapeziometacarpal joint.