Trapezium resection with suspension and interposition arthroplasty of the thumb-carpometacarpal joint is a common method for treatment of severe osteoarthritis of the 1st carpometacarpal joint.
We performed a single center retrospective data analysis after trapezium resection with suspension and interposition arthroplasty of the thumb-carpometacarpal joint with emphasis on quality of life and radiological parameters 3.4 years (1.2-8.7 years) after operation in 60 patients. Pre- and postoperative pain was analysed with VAS, function was measured using the DASH score, pinch grip power with a pinchmeter.
Subjective outcome was rated excellent in 42 cases (64.6%), good in 17 (26.2%), fair in 3 (4.6%) and 3 times (4.6%) poor. 56 patients (93.3%) would like to be operated again; 4 patients (6.7%) would deny an operation retrospectively. In the VAS pain was reduced by about 75% compared to the preoperative value. The pinch grip was increased by 46.6% compared to the preoperative value. The rate of major complications was 1.5% and of minor complications 9.2 %.
Trapezium resection with suspension and interposition arthroplasty can increase the quality of life and reduce pain in patients with severe osteoarthritis of the 1st carpometacarpal joint. The rate of complications is low. Outcome assessment is possible by subjective parameters. Objective values like the range of movement or the decrease of the distance between metacarpal I and scaphoid do not correlate with outcome.