title: The use of the Artelon CMC Spacer for osteoarthritis of the basal joint of the thumb.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Favorable clinical outcomes have been reported with the Artelon CMC Spacer, however, several studies have documented complications with the device.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study is to review a single surgeon's experience with the Artelon CMC Spacer for the treatment of basal joint arthritis of the thumb.
  
  
  METHODS
  Five thumbs in 6 patients with symptomatic osteoarthritis of the thumb carpometacarpal (CMC) joint were treated with the Artelon CMC Spacer. The mean age of the patients was 60.8 years old. Patients were followed for a mean of 39.3 months (6-63) post-operatively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Complications occurred in 4 of the 6 thumbs and half of the thumbs required at least one secondary operative procedure. A documented foreign-body reaction was present in 2 of the 6 thumbs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Artelon CMC Spacer is an interposition material that acts as a biologic spacer for arthritic joints while maintaining mechanical strength.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Due to an unacceptably high complication rate, we no longer use the Artelon CMC Spacer for the management of basal joint arthritis of the thumb.
  
  
  METHODS
  4.
authors: Hand, Upper Extremity, and Microvascular Surgery, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, 4709 Creekstone Drive, Suite 300, Durham, NC 27703, USA. Electronic address: marc.richard@duke.edu.
authors: Marc J
authors: MJ
authors: Richard
authors: Department of Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA.
authors: Julie A
authors: JA
authors: Lunich
authors: Department of Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA.
authors: Gretchen R
authors: GR
authors: Correll
mesh_terms: D020341:Absorbable Implants; D000368:Aged; D001178:Arthroplasty / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D052737:Carpometacarpal Joints / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D018737:Hand Strength; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D011859:Radiography; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013933:Thumb / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D051222:Trapezium Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome