Risk Factors for Failed Nonsurgical Treatment Resulting in Surgery on Thumb Carpometacarpal Arthritis.

PURPOSE: The thumb carpometacarpal (CMC) joint is the second most common site of osteoarthritis in the hand, yet reported symptoms and ultimate treatment decisions are not simply a function of radiographic appearance. This study aimed to determine the patient- and/or disease-related factors associated with patients undergoing surgical treatment of thumb CMC arthritis. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study analyzed 1,994 patients with thumb CMC arthritis treated at 2 institutions between February 2015 and November 2018. Patient demographic and clinical information was obtained from medical records to characterize treatment modalities before hand surgeon evaluation, mental and physical comorbidities, and Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System assessments. After bivariate analysis, a multivariable logistic regression model evaluated factors associated with undergoing thumb CMC surgery. RESULTS: This cohort was predominately female (70%) and white (91%), mean age at first appointment, 62 ± 10 years. A total of 170 patients underwent surgery for thumb CMC arthritis (9%) at a median of 114 days (interquartile range, 27-328) after the first visit. Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Depression scores correlated with Pain Interference and Physical Function scores. A history of diagnosed depression or anxiety was associated with less perceived Physical Function at presentation. However, only prior contralateral thumb CMC surgery, younger patient age, and treating institution were associated with undergoing surgery in regression modeling. CONCLUSIONS: Pain and functional limitations associated with thumb CMC arthritis are influenced by mental health comorbidities, but these factors do not predict surgical treatment. Instead, patients' prior surgical experience and surgeon attitudes toward thumb CMC arthritis appear to have a strong influence on the odds of patients undergoing surgery for thumb CMC arthritis. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic IV.

Suture Suspension Arthroplasty for the Treatment of Thumb Carpometacarpal Arthritis.

PURPOSE: Most studies have demonstrated little difference in the outcome of the various techniques proposed for the surgical treatment of thumb carpometacarpal (CMC) arthritis. However, the difficulty and time required to perform each technique vary widely. In addition, the introduction of recent implants has increased the cost of the overall procedure. We hypothesize that using a simple, yet stable, suture suspension technique without tendon interposition or ligament reconstruction yields similar results to conventional approaches with less operative time. METHODS: Three hundred twenty consecutive patients underwent thumb CMC arthroplasty by trapezial excision and metacarpal suspension using #2 high-strength orthopedic suture locked weave alone passed from the distal most abductor pollicis longus and flexor carpi radialis insertions without K-wire fixation or tendon transfer. Average duration of preoperative symptoms was 17.8 months. Patient radiographs were graded for arthritis severity and a visual analog scale (VAS) pain score (scale 0-10) obtained. Postoperative clinical and radiological follow-up averaged 5.4 years (minimum, 24 months). RESULTS: The average age at surgery was 57.3 years and there were 221 women (243 procedures) and 65 men (77 procedures). Average total operative time was 23.4 minutes. The dominant hand was involved in 52% of patients. All had prior treatment including orthoses and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs with 312 having had at least 1 steroid injection. Five patients had stage 1, 134 had stage 2, 164 had stage 3, and 17 had stage 4 disease on radiographs. Average trapezial space height on final follow-up radiographs was 0.8 cm. Two patients had complete trapezial space collapse and required a revision procedure. The average VAS score was 0.6 with pain eliminated in 269 thumbs, minimal in 49, and unchanged/worse in 2. All patients that were employed at the time of surgery returned to work at an average of 2.3 months (range, 3-16 weeks). CONCLUSIONS: Suture suspension thumb CMC arthroplasty provides comparable clinical results and several advantages over many current techniques that are described in the literature. The advantages include shortened operative time, inherent stability of the thumb metacarpal height, and no necessity for K-wire fixation, tendon transfers, or implants. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic IV.

Comparative Study of Trapeziectomy with Weilby Suspensionplasty versus Implant Arthroplasty for Thumb Carpometacarpal Joint Arthritis in an Asian Population.

Background: This retrospective study compares the outcomes of trapeziectomy and Weilby suspensionplasty procedure versus implant arthroplasty using the TOUCH® prosthesis for basilar thumb arthritis in an Asian population. Methods: A total of 15 consecutive thumbs in 13 patients were included in this study. Six patients (2 male, 4 female, mean age of 62 years old) underwent trapeziectomy and Weilby suspensionplasty procedure. Seven patients (4 male, 3 female, mean age 63 years old) underwent implant CMCJ arthroplasty using the TOUCH® prosthesis. Data collected include demographics, severity of arthritis on plain radiographs of the thumb basilar joint, length of follow-up, pre- and postoperative pain levels, Kapandji thumb opposition score, grip and pinch strength and the time taken to return to work. Results: Patients in the trapeziectomy and Weilby suspensionplasty group had a mean follow-up of 4.5 months, while those in the TOUCH® implant arthroplasty group had a mean follow-up of 14 months. TOUCH® implant arthroplasty patients showed significantly higher grip strengths at 3 months post-surgery and a shorter return to work. There were no differences in pinch strength at 3 months, pinch or grip strength at 6 months or pain scores. Complications included prolonged scar hypersensitivity in two patients who underwent the Weilby suspensionplasty and a dislocated TOUCH® implant cup in one patient. Conclusions: Our study suggests that in the short term, CMCJ implant arthroplasty with the TOUCH® prosthesis produces results comparable to trapeziectomy and Weilby suspensionplasty. Level of Evidence: Level III (Therapeutic).

Radiological imaging of the trapeziometacarpal joint: a historical and clinical perspective.

The opposable thumb provides both stability and mobility and is needed to accomplish different prehensile tasks. The trapezium is a complex bone, with a distal articular surface that is convex in the sagittal plane of the thumb and concave in the coronal plane of the thumb. The numerous additional articulations with the carpus and the oblique orientation to the main plane of the hand makes it difficult to evaluate the trapeziometacarpal joint using standard hand or wrist radiographic views. This review gives an overview of the different radiological views that have been described for the thumb with an emphasis on their historical origin and positioning during radiography. We also describe different measurements and classifications that can be obtained using different thumb radiographs.

Outcomes of secondary trapeziectomy after revision of trapeziometacarpal implants: a retrospective comparative matched study.

We evaluated secondary trapeziectomy for revision of trapeziometacarpal implants and compared this to primary trapeziectomy with a matched retrospective single centre study performed between October 2003 and February 2015. Thirty-one patients with trapeziometacarpal prosthesis failure who had a secondary trapeziectomy were matched with a primary trapeziectomy regarding sex, date of the operation and age. We evaluated function, mobility, autonomy, pain, strength, complications and shortening of the thumb on radiographs. The median time until removal of the implant was 37 months. The median age in both groups was similar. Median follow-up was more than 7 years in both groups. There was no statistically significant difference in terms of function, mobility, autonomy, pain, strength, complications and shortening of the thumb. Secondary trapeziectomy after revision of trapeziometacarpal implants provides results comparable with primary trapeziectomy.Level of evidence: III.

Thumb carpometacarpal arthroplasty with ligament reconstruction and interposition costochondral arthroplasty.

Background Thumb arthritis at the carpometacarpal (CMC) joint is one of the most common sites of arthritis, especially in women. Thumb arthroplasty is an effective method of relieving pain and improving function. Materials and Methods Qualitative and quantitative outcomes were assessed clinically and radiographically in 58 patients (66 thumbs) with thumb basal joint arthritis limited to the trapeziometacarpal joint, treated with hemiresection arthroplasty of the trapezium, flexor carpi radialis (FCR) ligament reconstruction, and allograft costochondral interposition graft. Description of Technique The thumb CMC joint arthroplasty is performed using an FCR tendon for ligament reconstruction combined with removal of the distal half of the trapezium, which is replaced with a life preserver-shaped spacer that is carved out of allograft cartilage. Results Results of the validated Disability of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) questionnaire at a mean follow-up time of 56 months (range, 24-103 months) revealed that 90% of the patients had a high level of function with minimal symptoms. Important improvements in web space with increased palmar and radial abduction and grip and pinch strength measurements were observed. The trapeziometacarpal space had decreased 21% after surgery, while trapeziometacarpal subluxation was 14% compared with 21% before surgery. There was an inverse correlation between the loss of trapezial height and subluxation and clinical outcome. Conclusions The results of this study demonstrate that, although the preoperative trapezial height was not maintained, the reconstructed thumbs remained stable, with little subluxation and improved clinical outcomes. Level of Evidence IV, retrospective case series.