title: Morphometric and biomechanical comparison of tendons used for interposition arthroplasty in carpometacarpal arthritis of the thumb.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To identify the wrist tendon most effectively maintaining the trapezial space in interpositional arthroplasty in osteoarthritis of the carpometacarpal joint of the thumb.
  
  
  METHODS
  The morphometrics of the os trapezium and the tendons of the flexor carpi radialis, extensor carpi radialis longus, and abductor pollicis longus were determined. The stiffness and compressive loading characteristics of the rolled-up tendons were compared to the os trapezium.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No significant morphometric differences between the three tendons were found. The mass and volume of the trapezium was significantly larger when compared to the tendon balls. No significant differences in the compressive loading resistance were found between the tendons, but the mean stiffness was 85% lower when compared to the os trapezium.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Neither tendon material approached the volume nor the stiffness provided by the os trapezium. Any tendon is considered to insufficiently maintain the trapezial space following trapeziectomy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery, University of Cologne, D-50924 Cologne, Germany. jens.dargel@uk-koeln.de
authors.forename: Jens
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dargel
authors.forename: Dietmar
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pennig
authors.forename: Hans Philipp
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Springorum
authors.forename: Jürgen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Koebke
authors.forename: Peer
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Eysel
authors.forename: Joern W-P
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Michael
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001168:Arthritis / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D001178:Arthroplasty / Q000379:methods*; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D002102:Cadaver; D052737:Carpometacarpal Joints / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D013709:Tendon Transfer / Q000379:methods*; D013710:Tendons / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013933:Thumb / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*