Osteoarthritis of the carpometacarpal joint of the thumb. An analysis of operative procedures.
This paper presents a clinical review of patients operated by different procedures for disabling osteoarthritis of the carpometacarpal joint of the thumb. Fusion of the joint resulted in pain relief, and the patients achieved a stable thumb with excellent strength. Although a minor loss of thumb motion was noted, this was not considered a problem. Excision of the trapezium gave good results with respect to pain relief, but there was loss of thumb stability and strength. Implant arthroplasty with a silicone prosthesis appeared to give a painfree, stable and mobile thumb, but there was loss of power. In conclusion, arthrodesis is the method of choice if reduction of strength is to be avoided.
D000368:Aged; D001174:Arthrodesis; D005260:Female; D005384:Finger Joint / Q000601:surgery*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007595:Joint Prosthesis; D008297:Male; D008662:Metacarpophalangeal Joint / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000601:surgery*; D013933:Thumb / Q000601:surgery*