title: Stabilization of the pre-arthritic trapeziometacarpal joint using ligament reconstruction.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Trapeziometacarpal pre-arthrosis is a common condition with only limited therapeutic possibilities. Eaton and Littler designed a tendon stabilization.
  
  
  METHODS
  A series of 21 thumbs with painful carpometacarpal joints, treated with a ligament reconstruction according to Eaton and Littler, is described. Three failed and further surgery was required. The outcome of 18 is evaluated. There were 11 women, 7 men with a mean age of 33.7 years, all having stages I or II of osteoarthritis. Six (30%) had a traumatic event in their history.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the early stages of degenerative osteoarthritis, the overall outcome was good with a mean DASH score of 23.2. The carpometacarpal joint was stable but a 43% progression of radiographic osteoarthritic deterioration of the joint occurred.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Stabilization of a painful pre-arthritic trapeziometacarpal joint is useful and reliable. A traumatic instability had worse results and probably is a contraindication to this technique.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, U.Z. Pellenberg, Weligerveld 1, 3212 Lubbeek, Pellenberg, Belgium.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Van Giffen
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Van Ransbeeck
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: De Smet
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006230:Hand Injuries; D006801:Humans; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000601:surgery*; D008023:Ligaments, Articular / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008663:Metacarpus / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000150:complications*; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D013933:Thumb / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome