title: Basal joint osteoarthritis of the thumb: comparison of suture button versus abductor pollicis longus suspensionplasty.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Our purpose was to compare the outcomes of patients with severe basilar thumb osteoarthritis treated with trapeziectomy and suspensionplasty using abductor pollicis longus (APL) tendon versus a suture button device.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective study was performed for patients undergoing trapeziectomy and suspensionplasty with APL tendon or suture button fixation. Outcome measures included disabilities of the arm, shoulder, and hand (DASH); visual analog score (VAS); grip strength; key pinch; tip pinch; and thumb opposition. Radiographic measurements, surgical times, and complications were recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty-three patients in the APL tendon group and 27 patients in the suture button group had a minimum 6-month follow-up. VAS, DASH, and functional measurements improved after surgery for both groups. Mean operative time was 68 min for the APL tendon group and 48 min for the suture button group. Complications were similar between groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of suture button fixation when compared to APL tendon suspensionplasty offers similar clinical outcomes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Therapeutic III.
authors.affiliation: Florida Orthopaedic Institute, 13020 N Telecom Pkwy, Tampa, FL 33637 USA.
authors.forename: Kristopher R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Avant
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Naval Hospital Pensacola, 6000 West Hwy 98, Pensacola, FL 32512 USA.
authors.forename: Jason A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Nydick
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL USA.
authors.forename: Brian D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: White
authors.affiliation: Foundation for Orthopaedic Research and Education (FORE), 13020 N Telecom Pkwy, Tampa, FL 33637 USA.
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Vaccaro
authors.affiliation: Florida Orthopaedic Institute, 13020 N Telecom Pkwy, Tampa, FL 33637 USA.
authors.forename: Alfred V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Hess
authors.affiliation: Florida Orthopaedic Institute, 13020 N Telecom Pkwy, Tampa, FL 33637 USA.
authors.forename: Jeffrey D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Stone
keywords: Suspensionplasty; Suture button; Thumb arthritis