title: Comparison of first carpometacarpal joint arthrodesis with contralateral excision arthroplasty in a patient with bilateral saddle joint arthritis: a case report.
abstract: A post-menopausal patient with bilateral primary osteoarthritis of the first carpometacarpal joint (CMCJ) was treated by 2 different surgical techniques. The non-dominant left CMCJ was arthrodesed in 1992 while excision of trapezium and tendon suspensionplasty was done for the dominant right side in 1997. She reported good pain relief with both procedures and she was able to fully oppose both thumbs at 6 years after arthrodesis and 1 year after arthroplasty. The grip and pinch strength was stronger on the arthrodesed side while hand function tests revealed the arthroplasty side to be more dexterous. Subjectively, she preferred the right thumb. Radiographs showed no peritrapezial arthritis in the arthrodesed CMCJ and no proximal migration of the metacarpal on the reconstructed side. Both procedures offered excellent relief of symptoms and she was able to return to work as a machine operator.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore.
authors.forename: Y P
authors.initials: YP
authors.lastname: Peng
authors.forename: C K
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Low
authors.forename: K P
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Looi
mesh_terms: D001168:Arthritis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D001174:Arthrodesis / Q000379:methods*; D001178:Arthroplasty / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D013933:Thumb / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014955:Wrist Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*